Canada has revoked the residency for members of Tunisia's ruling clan, after Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Tunisia's deposed president and his regime "are not welcome" on Canadian soil.
Belhassen Trabelsi, the billionaire brother-in-law of former Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, is staying at a luxury hotel just outside of Montreal and had his residency revoked Thursday.
Trabelsi, who fled to Canada last week with his wife, four children and several bodyguards, is accused of stealing Tunisian government assets prior to the regime's overthrow.
But Trabelsi may be in Canada for quite a while, CTV Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife says. Trabelsi can appeal the decision to revoke his residency status and apply for refugee status.
"There are multiple avenues of appeal... and if the court does rule him deported to Tunisia, he can apply for refugee status," Fife told CTV News Channel Thursday. "Mr. Trabelsi is going to be enjoying a comfortable life in Canada for quite a long time."
Harper in Morocco
Harper made his comments while speaking in Rabat, Morocco, where he met with the country's prime minister before flying south the Agadir to meet with King Muhammed VI.
"Canada will use all tools at its disposal to co-operate with the international community in dealing with members of the former regime," Harper told reporters.
"They are not welcome. Let me be very clear: we do not welcome them in our country."
Harper said he discussed Tunisia's political situation with the prime minister and said Canada supports peaceful, democratic development.
Harper was responding to concerns that Ben Ali may try to come to Canada. Ben Ali and six of his family members are the subject of international arrest warrants issued by Interpol this week.
Ben Ali, his wife and other family members are accused of abusing their power and lining their own pockets with national treasure. The former president fled Tunisia on Jan. 14 after 23 years in power, following weeks of protests over unemployment, repression and corruption. His departure was followed by riots, looting and unrest.
Interpol member countries were asked "to search, locate and provisionally arrest Mr. Ali and his relatives with a view to their extradition to Tunis."
Free-trade talks
Harper flew to Morocco Wednesday after a quick stop in Geneva, Switzerland to launch a United Nations child and maternal health initiative that he is co-leading.
Harper spearheaded the initiative last year at G8 meetings in Muskoka, Ont. More than $40 billion was pledged and the commission's role is to ensure countries make good on their commitments.
Harper also announced during his stop in Morocco that Canada has launched formal free-trade negotiations with Morocco.
"A free trade agreement with Morocco would be Canada's first with a country on the African continent, and is another example of how our Government is pushing to create jobs and economic growth through trade liberalization," Harper said in a statement released Thursday.
A free trade agreement could see Canadian grain sent to Morocco, and Moroccan fruit sent to Canada, said CTV's Richard Madan, travelling with the prime minister.
Education reform
Harper also announced Canada will support Morocco's education system by bolstering two reform projects.
Canada will back an initiative to improve basic education for boys and girls by training 9,000 school principals in effective ways to make schools more responsive and accountable to local needs.
Canada will also lend its help to a program that aims to boost the employment rate of graduates from skills training programs from 55 per cent to 75 per cent.
"Canada's support will secure a better future for Morocco's children and youth and strengthen sustainable economic growth in the country," said a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.
While in Morocco, Harper laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Mohammed V, father of the current king.
With files from The Canadian Press
