Migrants are escorted from the M V Sun Sea after it was escorted into CFB Esquimalt in Colwood, B.C.,Friday, Aug. 13, 2010. (Jonathan Hayward/ Canadian Press).

By CBC News

Senior Conservative ministers unveiled new legislation in Vancouver aimed at punishing anyone who smuggles illegal migrants to Canada.

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney and Public Safety Minister Vic Toews outlined the bill at the Port of Vancouver Thursday after it was formally tabled in the House of Commons.

"Canada is a welcoming nation, but our government has clearly stated that we will not tolerate abuse of our system," Toews said in outlining Bill C-49, the Preventing Human Smugglers From Abusing Canada's Immigration System Act.

The RCMP says that internationally, human smugglers earn some $10 billion in profits a year from the activity. Between 1997 and 2002, smugglers assisted almost 12 per cent of the 14,792 improperly documented migrants who were intercepted in Canada or en route, the police agency says.

Among the numerous changes is an amendment that would see a minimum penalty of 10 years imprisonment imposed on anyone bringing more than 50 people to Canada illegally.

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