Canada strives to attract immigrants who will help meet the country's economic and social needs even as it tries to help genuine refugees through a fair and faster refugee determination process. Maintaining the integrity of the immigration and refugee systems includes protecting the rights of legitimate immigrants. At the same time, it means guarding Canada from the threats posed by transnational crime, and dealing fairly with victims of international trafficking in human cargo. Canadian authorities whose job it is to apply the law and to determine who is eligible to enter the country, either temporarily or as a permanent resident, are on the very front line of this endeavour. Millions worldwide are stateless and on the move.
Information is exchanged easily and instantly across continents.
Travel time and transportation costs have fallen drastically. Moreover, Canada has obligations to international organizations such as the United Nations. Against this global backdrop, controlling Canada's borders can seem to be an almost impossible task, but the country's immigration system, though not without its flaws, has become a model for similar systems all over the world. Canada's policies have resulted in a culturally diverse country in which Canadians can take pride. It is clear, however, that even greater challenges lie ahead.