(OTTAWA) Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre on Tuesday avoided directly commenting on the remarks of his MP Richard Martel, who was criticized by many for having described as “illegal refugees” a Salvadoran woman and her son who arrived in Canada via Roxham Road.
During a press scrum on Parliament Hill, Mr. Poilievre nevertheless underlined that he understood “why people want to cross at Roxham Road”, this makeshift crossing located in Montérégie and which over the years has become a point unofficial entrance used by many asylum seekers.
“They are human beings. I have nothing against people. In some cases, they are also victims of a system that really does not work,” said the party leader.
According to him, the “problem” comes from “the incompetence of Justin Trudeau who prevents legitimate immigrants (from seeing their file) treated quickly and fairly”.
He assured that if he became prime minister, his government would be “competent to solve these problems”, not failing to mention in passing that his wife, who is of Venezuelan origin, immigrated to Canada.
Mr. Poilievre also discussed his vision for the renegotiation of the Safe Third Country Agreement, which is at the heart of migrant crossings through Roxham Road.
“We should find a way, by renegotiating […] with the United States, to close Roxham Road and return to a system where people arrive at the legal gateways, he argued. Personally, I think it’s more humanitarian and it’s fairer, especially for people who wait a long time to arrive here in Canada. »
Conservative MP Richard Martel made headlines shortly before the holidays when he told Radio-Canada that he had refused to help Salvadoran nationals living in his riding because they are, according to him, “illegal refugees”.
“We are talking about illegal refugees, who have passed through Roxham Road, while there are legal refugees waiting! This case is illegal refugees. Me, I’m not getting into it, ”he said in an interview with the public broadcaster.
The Canadian Press then requested an interview or comment from Mr. Martel, requests left unanswered by a Conservative spokesperson.
The political party had, however, provided a written statement attributable to the Conservative lieutenant for Quebec, Pierre Paul-Hus. “Our MPs are helping people from all walks of life and supporting Canadians who have been left behind by the Trudeau government while standing up for a fair and compassionate immigration system,” it read.