Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced proposed changes to Canada’s refugee system that he says will provide more protection to those who need it and will deter those who do not need Canada’s protection from taking advantage of the system.

The changes Kenney is proposing were announced over the past two days, and include:

• Shorter wait times for eligible claimants to have their cases heard;
• The development of a list of Safe Countries of Origin;
• Faster removal for failed refugee claimants;
• An increase of 2,500 refugees accepted under the Canada’s resettlement program of refugees selected by the United Nations and other referral organizations;
• An increase in funding for social assistance for newly arrived refugees by $9-million annually.