In The Spirit of Enterprise...

What this? A young woman from Peru who was granted refugee status along with her family in 2001 now ordered to be deported from Canada? What's the matter with Canadian authorities? Can't they recognize the true entrepreneurial spirit when it's so ably demonstrated? How perfectly unreasonable, to offer refuge, then yank it away. How utterly disgraceful. Shame, Canada.

After all, the woman, Shirley Palomino Baltazar (how resoundingly poetic, another star in her favour) has honoured a number of Canadian cities with her presence. She's obviously peripatetic and enterprising in nature. Shouldn't that spirit be encouraged? Don't we need more of that kind of enthusiasm? Oops, no you say?

She's done what? No kidding. Connected to what? Really!

Now it's becoming a trifle more clear. In visiting Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver she hasn't really been paving the way for the installation of new business interests at all. Silly me, I simply misunderstood her motivation. She's part of a discreet and discrete organization, it would seem. Not dreadfully structured, but awfully effective.

Their successes won't ever leave any of them in a state of impecunious dependence on the country's welfare system, in any event. (That statement will come back to haunt.) Even if, in the prosecution of their enterprise, the end result may be to leave their victims somewhat less well endowed with cash and possessions. Ms. Baltazar's enterprising group has been responsible for committing countless thefts.

Availing themselves of goods valued into the stratosphere of riches beyond the daydreaming hopes of most Canadians. Guess we're just too loftily law-abiding. Or lazy. Or uninspired. Too complacent, sanguine, that's us. Just toddling on our way, doing our thing. Leaving the action to refugee claimants who know how to get things done.

The family - goes that old turkey of an assurance - that steals together stays together. Or not. For even though her mother is suspected of harbouring the avails of massive thefts, it is her daughter only at this point who has been selected by the authorities for deportation. Just think of it, jewellery theft; robbery as people leave banks cash in hand; grabbing handbags at airports, hotels and tourist locations.

They've got everything covered. Armed robberies, thefts from hotels, vehicle thefts. High-end clothing valued at a half-million garnered in two raids on properties rented by this clever little organization. Stolen credit cards, fraud galore. Now here's the down-and-dirty part that gets this cranky old Canadian woman gritting her teeth. She's supported by Canadian welfare.

No kidding. And on those generous welfare cheques she has flown to Colombia, Argentina, Peru and Uruguay. To pursue business interests, naturally. Aren't we so dreadfully generous with our refugees? And look here, there's a husband, equally talented at illicit but extremely well-rewarded activities. And two half-brothers, also part of the gang, also being readied for deportation.

Like, wow! But look here, we're committed. We offered refuge, we can just pluck it away. Can we? Ms. Baltazar, after all, fears for her life if she is forced to return to Peru. She is innocent, completely innocent of all charges brought against her. Case closed.