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Canada's immigration department has overturned a decision to block the entry of a Papua New Guinea dance troupe following weeks of diplomatic wrangling that included threats of political retaliation from the Pacific country.

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The dancers were visiting Canada "to spend four weeks sharing traditional storytelling, dance and music at the invitation of the Little Shuswap Indian Band."

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EASTERN Highlands Governor Malcolm Kela-Smith: “They treated them as criminals and deported them to PNG, and as far as I am concerned, it was a disgusting and disgraceful act by the Canadian authorities, especially when there are so many Canadian companies and its citizens working in PNG,” he said.
The EHP government committed K169,000 for the expenses associated with the month-long trip.

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New Guinea link

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"The government should be absolutely transparent and open, [and] tell Canadians why they have now changed their mind," said Dosanjh, MP for the Vancouver South riding.

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Ha ha. Squirm, Conservative, squirm!

Canada curtsies - CBC

Edited to add: The other matter of note here is that this looks like a case where Canadian economic interests abroad trump political interests at home. Good Public Relations for LNG Energy [and profit-taking in NG and Canadians employed in that country] is more important than the Conservative regime appearing "tough" with "foreigners". There are always lone visitors without corporate sponsorship or political connections in their home country, like Robert Dziekanski, that can be terrorized.

[ 30 July 2008: Message edited by: N.Beltov ]

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"When this situation came to Citizenship and Immigration's attention, Citizenship and Immigration and Canadian Border Services Agency took action to resolve this case and make sure [the dancers] made it here," said immigration department spokeswoman Danielle Norris.

The troupe is now scheduled to arrive in Vancouver on Friday.

According to Smith-Kela, Canada Border Services agents had the mistaken idea that the dancers were coming as cheap labour.

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Mr Kela-Smith said Canadian and PNG high commissions in Canberra were advised late last year that an EHP cultural delegation would be visiting Canada. ...

Mr Kela-Smith said they checked with the Canadian authorities regarding the fumigation of all traditional dresses for entry into Canada and had a citizen fly over to PNG to escort the group to Canada at the expense of the EHP government.

Canadian newspaper Kamloops Daily News on July 4 carried a headline on the arrival of South Pacific villagers.

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Pogo:I don't blame Harper and Conservatives for the initial problem.

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Really? Scott P. has addressed this. The Minister and the government have to take responsibility for the xenophobic culture of the department. Especially when, as you say, "As usual Customs and Border Services has no comment."

Edited to add: Perhaps, more to the point, the Conservative government, through its High Commission in Canberra, and so on, knew the dancers were coming. The dance skirts were arranged to be fumigated. The visit was publicized in the Kamloops papers on July 4.

Boot to the head for Minister Day and the Harper regime!

[ 30 July 2008: Message edited by: N.Beltov ]

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...following weeks of diplomatic wrangling...

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