The Canadian authorities are working actively with Australia – another preferred destination for such vessels – and in Asian countries to identify ships with human cargo.

Any measures would also distinguish between individuals arriving on Canadian soil and seeking refugee status, and boatloads of people brought to Canada by what Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said are criminal or terrorist organizations.

According to the Globe and Mail, there is growing suspicion that the Ocean Lady, which brought 76 Tamil refugee claimants to Canada last October, was sent by the Tamil Tigers to test the Canadian government’s response. All of that vessel’s passengers are in Canada and pursuing refugee claims.

“It appears to have been a probe to test the system,” said Benjamin Perrin, a Professor of law at the University of British Columbia who specializes in issues surrounding human smuggling.

“Canada should be quite concerned that we are being targeted by an operation that appears to be quite sophisticated,” he said.
The Canadian Parliament in June this year passed new legislation to reform the refugee laws, making it quicker both for legitimate refugees to obtain asylum and for illegitimate claimants to be deported. The goal is to have claims heard within 60 to 90 days of arrival, and for illegitimate claimants to be out of the country within two years.

But federal officials estimate it will take 12 to 18 months more to upgrade computers, train public servants and otherwise prepare for an official switch to the new rules.