Tom Wappel - Opposition Critic

Opposition Critic

Wappel was appointed as the Liberal Party's immigration critic in January 1991. Late in the year, he prepared an internal party document calling for the creation of detainment camps (to be called Welcome Centres) for refugees arriving in Canada. Claimants would be provided with food, lodging and clothing, but would not be permitted to work outside the centre while their cases were under review. The proposal also called for any claimant with HIV to be automatically denied status. His suggestions were leaked to the media, and were immediately rejected by the Liberal Party leadership. He was removed as the Liberal Party's immigration Critic in January 1992, and reassigned as critic for the Solicitor-General. In his new position, he called for increased safeguards in Canada's parole system.

Wappel was endorsed by the Canadian Police Association in the 1993 federal election, and focused his campaign on "law and order" issues. He was easily re-elected as the Liberals won a majority government nationally.