On Sunday, about 70 people gathered at the Central City building in Surrey to protest a bill that was proposed by the federal government, known as Bill C-50, which is an amendment to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

The Reader's Digest version of the bill is this: the Immigration Minister, currently Diane Finley, will get increased power to admit or deny prospective immigrants based on their employability in Canada.

Some would-be immigrants could also be fast-tracked through the system if they are skilled in areas that are needed in Canada, namely, doctors. There is also the ability to freeze the applications of others.

Bill C-50, a budget bill, is also tied to a confidence measure, meaning that if the bill is defeated in the House of Commons, the government will dissolve, triggering an election.

The protesters were calling the bill 'racist', saying that it gives Finley too much arbitrary power to accept or deny people who want to immigrate.

They also added that the minister can consider the background or country of origin of the prospective citizens, as well as deny previously approved applications.

Finley stated that the bill is needed to clean out a backlog of immigration applications.

I am no fan of the Conservative government (or any federal party, for the purposes of full disclosure), and am half-hoping they fall on their sword for tying something like this to a confidence motion, but I think the bill is a step in the right direction for Canada.

My main concern, if what the protesters allege is true, is whether or not the minister can deny applications that have already been approved.

We are a country of immigrants, but there is absolutely nothing racist about this bill.

Frankly speaking, there are enough people in Canada right now without enough employable skills who are mooching off the government, taking advantage of the health care system and contributing little to society as a whole.

As a country, Canada is the prettiest girl at the dance. She is beautiful, attainable, but also has needs of her own.

And what Canada needs are skilled workers. If you don't have any skills, you should be lower on the immigration totem pole.

What the protesters should be concerned about is the amount of power this bill will (supposedly) give the minister to pick and choose who can immigrate (good work if you can get it, I'd imagine), rather than crying racism when there is none to be found.

The world needs ditch diggers too, but there are plenty here already.