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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, A pr il 4, 20 19 | 6 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the news- paper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca newsroom@theifp.ca IndependentAndFreePress @IFP_11 WHO WE ARE Publisher Kelly Montague Regional General Manager Steve Foreman Regional Director of Media Holly Chriss Regional Managing Editor Catherine O'Hara Managing Editor Karen Miceli Distribution Representative Iouliana Polar Classified/Real Estate Kristie Pells Regional Production Manager Manuel Garcia Production Shelli Harrison Halton Media General Manager Vicki Dillane CONTACT US The Independent & Free Press 280 Guelph Street, Unit 77 Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1 Phone: 905-873-0301 Classifieds: 905-234-1016 Fax: 905-873-0398 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, con- dense or reject letters. Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail lpolar@miltoncana- dianchampion.com or call 905- 234-1019. OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT THEIFP.CA EDITORIAL At last, the federal government is taking the neces- sary steps to shore up this country's border security while strengthening public confidence in its immigra- tion system. Not only have the Liberals pledged $1.2 billion in new funding over five years to agencies that manage the border, they're working to close a loophole that let tens of thousands of asylum seekers enter Canada through unauthorized areas along our border with the United States. Both moves deserve applause. Critics might accuse Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of dragging his feet on a matter of national importance but, in all fairness, the Liberals have been struggling with a complex situation they did not create. Not only must they hammer out a solution with American allies who, in the paranoid era of Donald Trump, might prefer to see those asylum seekers remain in Canada, the Liberals must also uphold Canadian laws, including the charter rights of all who set foot in this country. Yet despite such challenges, the necessity for action became undeniable when a huge flaw emerged in a Can- ada-U. S. border agreement. According to the terms of the Safe Third Country Agreement, both Canada and the U.S. are considered safe havens for refugees. Therefore, they can both deny entry to asylum seek- ers who come to authorized entry points along their shared border. But strangely, asylum seekers who arrive at unautho- rized points along that border cannot immediately be turned away. If they're entering Canada, Canadian au- thorities must handle their claims to be accepted as refugees. How gaping a loophole this truly is suddenly became apparent in 2017 when growing numbers of asy- lum seekers began simply walking through it into Cana- da, especially at Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle in Quebec. In just over two years since then, more than 40,000 irregular crossers have entered Canada this way, over- whelming the federal government's ability to deal fairly with all the claims. During the same time, provincial and municipal governments have scrambled to provide shelter, health care, education and other social services to the migrants. Despite the federal government's decision to hire more adjudicators to reduce the backlog of refugee claimants, wait times for hearings and decisions soared. Meanwhile, when the claims are finally heard, the per- centage of claimants being rejected is larger than nor- mal, fuelling concerns that many asylum seekers are actually economic migrants trying to enter Canada any way they can. Such are the compelling reasons for plugging the holes in our porous border. As Ottawa moves to address the border problem, it is defending the national interest and, as part of that, the integrity of an immigration system that is vital to our future but depends on continuing, nationwide support. That ongoing support is crucial: As nations around the world increasingly slam their doors to newcomers of all kinds, Canada should, for everybody's sake, keep its welcome mat out. CLOSING THE GAPS IN OUR BORDER SYSTEM Billions of dollars are in- vested in the region annu- ally, fostering economic growth and resulting in meaningful jobs for Hal- ton's skilled, talented workforce. Results from the 2018 Economic Review reveal that Halton is carry- ing forward with its mo- mentum of development growth, business invest- ment and job creation. Below are some of Hal- ton's economic highlights from 2018. National, international companies choose Halton • Global logistics leader DSV Canada broke ground on what will the largest DSV complex worldwide and will create 800 jobs in the region. • Ford Motor Company invested in new technolo- gies, including plans to as- semble the new Ford Edge ST at the Oakville Assem- bly complex. • Oak West Corporate Centre and Great Lakes Business Park announced plans for new flex office buildings in Oakville. • Futura announced plans for a new industrial facility in Halton Hills, the future home of CanWel Building Materials. • QuadReal Property Group is investing in a new distribution warehouse in Halton Hills. •Crawmet (Crawford Metals) announced plans to expand its industrial fa- cility in Burlington. Development again tops $1 billion and exceeds expec- tations in non-residential building area constructed • $1.8 billion in total building construction in 2018. •3.8M sq. ft. of non-resi- dential floor area built in 2018 (57 per cent increase over 2017). Talented labour pool keeps unemployment rate low • 75 per cent of residents hold a post-secondary de- gree or diploma, making Halton one of the most highly educated regions in Canada. • Halton has an average unemployment rate of 5.3 per cent (lower than the provincial rate of 5.6 per cent and the national rate of 5.9 per cent). Confidence is high among Halton businesses Local businesses who responded to our annual Business Conditions Sur- vey revealed that they re- main confident in the local economy: • Nearly half of busi- nesses surveyed are antici- pating increased profits over the next 12 months. • Four in five are opti- mistic about the future and expect economic condi- tions to remain stable or improve. • Three out of five are in- vesting in capital assets and in skills training to in- crease productivity. Gary Carr is Regional Chair of Halton Region. REVIEW SHOWS HALTON CONTINUED TO THRIVE IN 2018 MANY ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS, WRITES GARY CARR GARY CARR Column