Thai Cargo Ship On Course for Canada With Possible Illegals On Board

Canadian authorities are monitoring a Thai cargo ship following reports it may be on its way to the British Columbia coast with more than 200 migrants on board.

Canadian government bodies have been checking the ship with regard to several weeks.

The MV Sun Sea was last spotted in the Gulf of Thailand, where it was the subject of a lookout issued by the Philippine Coast Guard, which called it “a suspected people-smuggling vessel.”

On the weekend, Colombo’s Sunday Observer newspaper reported that while the 59-metre vessel was originally headed for Australia it was now sailing toward the Canadian coast.

Within Might, the actual Philippine coast safeguard released an alert asking authorities to look out for that vessel.

Final month, the dispatch was thought to be in the Beach associated with Thailand, proceeding towards Australia. Which country may be breaking down lately on Sri Lankan asylum seekers.

The actual Observer said the actual ship idled for a while prior to heading towards Canada a week ago.

“This might end up being the prime example of individuals attempting to make the most of our generous immigration law program,” said Celyeste Power, press secretary to Immigration Minister Jerr Kenney, inside a prepared statement. “Our government is focused on breaking down on phony refugees while providing safety to those which truly require the assist.”

Ms.The Department of Foreign Affairs also said it was “aware of press reports suggesting that a vessel has departed Southeast Asian waters and may be destined for Canada,” and vowed to prosecute anyone caught smuggling human cargo. Power said the Immigration Department would only become involved if the ship landed in Canada. Otherwise, it would be up to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to monitor it.

But a spokesman at the Thai embassy in Ottawa said he could not verify the searches ever occurred and the Sun Sea was last seen on May 17, 50 kilometres off the coast of southern Thailand, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. The division has stated previously it tries to cease migrant boats from their point of departure.

Last month, The Globe and Mail reported that Canadian spies were working with authorities in Australia and Asian countries to track the ship’s progress.

But unlike last year’s arrivals, any asylum seekers would be subject to Canada’s new streamlined refugee system, which came into effect last month. “If this boat was to arrive in Canada, then our new system would ensure that fast and fair decisions are made to either provide these individuals with protection or dismiss their claims in a timely manner,” Ms. Power said.

Traces of explosives were found on board the ship that arrived off the B.C. coast last year, and one of the passengers was the subject of an Interpol wanted notice for terrorism. Immigration officials had initially voiced concerns that the migrants could be Tamil Tigers but they later dropped those allegations.

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