Canada: Asylum Seekers

Canada Dept: The most staggering change was evident in the plummeting numbers of refugee claimants from Hungary, a country that was once Canada s top source of asylum seekers, according to data provided by senior government sources, according to CTV. In 2010, 415 refugee claims were made, followed by 374 in 2011 and 353 in 2012. The total number of asylum claims for those years peaked at 4,453 in 2011 and the Conservative government s refugee system reforms have led to a significant decline in the number of asylum seekers showing up on Canada s doorstep, figures show. From Jan. 1 to Feb. 19 for three consecutive years, hundreds of Hungarian nationals sought refugee status in Canada. The numbers began to rise after Canada lifted visa requirements in 2008. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.