Police officers and Canadian Border Services agents display a seized cache of guns and illegal drugs in Brampton, Ont., on May 21, 2007.Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail
The Canada Border Services Agency has added 32 names to its most-wanted list that targets immigrants in Canada who are accused of committing acts of 'serious criminality.'
The CBSA's president, Luc Portelance, made the announcement in Toronto Thursday morning along with public safety minister Vic Toews.
These 32 names are in addition to the 30 people who were announced by Minister Toews as wanted on suspicion of war crimes back in July.
Minister Toews explained that while the original list of 30 was made up of individuals inadmissible to Canada because they are suspected of, or complicit in, war crimes or crimes against humanity, the new list is made up of permanent residents who were admitted to Canada but committed acts of "serious criminality" after their arrival.
Minister Toews said acts of "serious criminality" included murder, sexual assault, and armed robbery.
According to the Canada Border Services Agency website, six of the original 30 have already been apprehended. Three of those six have been "removed." 22 are still "wanted," and the remaining two listed as "found," but not in Canada.
Coinciding with Minister Toews' July 21 announcement, the website was launched identifying the suspects - showing photographs of the suspects and listing their name, aliases, gender, date of birth, place of birth, last known address, and any other identifying features.
The website also asks the public to report any information on the suspects to the Border Watch Line.
Mr. Portelance said that making the names public and asking for the public's help proved to be an "effective investigative method."
The original list on the CBSA website is prefaced with the following statement: "These individuals are the subject of an active Canada-wide warrant for removal because they are inadmissible to Canada. It has been determined that they violated human or international rights under the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act or under international law."