Immigration Minister Jason Kenney: Canada

Automatic Detention Dept: Just before a Commons committee sat down to review Bill C-31 clause-by-clause on Wednesday, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney indicated the government would agree to amend provisions in the Protecting Canada's Immigration Act that call for "irregular arrivals" who come to Canada in a group, possibly as part of human-smuggling operations, to be subject to automatic detention for up to a year with-out a review of their case, according to Vancouver Sun. "We believe this strikes the right balance," Kenney said upon emerging from a caucus meeting. "It ensures there will be a review of detention by the independent quasi-judicial Immigration and Refugee Board." The federal government is conceding on a number of opposition and stake-holder criticisms of proposed legislation aimed at cracking down on bogus refugee claim-ants - but those opposed to the bill argue it hasn't backed down enough. Critics have argued the detention provisions, among others, are inhumane and a violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as other international treaties. Under the amendment, those individuals would be guaranteed an initial review within 14 days and another within six months. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.