Public Safety Canada

The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, announces in Vancouver, Friday, September 5, 2008, support for four Jewish community organizations to assist them with security infrastructure enhancements. Today's announcement will see up to $111,231 in program funding provided to the four community organizations to help with security improvement costs. MARKETWIRE PHOTO/Public Safety Canada

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 5, 2008) - The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, today issued the following statement on the deportation of Clinton St-Thomas, a Montreal man who has been convicted of a number of offences related to his association with a street gang.

"The Government of Canada remains steadfast in its determination to protect the safety and security of Canadians. This government is committed to enforcing removal orders against foreign nationals who have been convicted of serious crimes. On this, we have zero tolerance. The ability to remove people in a timely fashion is a cornerstone of our efforts to protect our families and communities."

Mr. St-Thomas, 31, was removed from Canada to Haiti under escort by officers with the Canada Border Services Agency on September 3. St-Thomas had been convicted of several offences related to his participation in a criminal organization including: threat to cause death or bodily harm, trafficking in substance (cocaine and crack), and conspiracy to commit trafficking. St-Thomas is the first individual associated with the Pelletier Street gang to be deported from Canada.