Slipped inside a budget implementation bill is changes to the immigration system which some claim could lead to the Minister of Immigration having unprecedented authority to interfere in the system’s operation without oversight from any other source. It would allow the minister to do things like fast tracking certain applicants or denying others that have already been approved.

Not only is that level of power grabbing being allowed disturbing, but no one has explained why it is appropriate to have it inside a budget implementation bill. Am I to understand that the government of the day can simply stick whatever legislative changes they want to make into any bill and the members of the House have to scramble to find them? What kind of law making is that? Read the rest of this entry »