Amid reports that another boat of Sri Lankan migrants could be bound for Canada, the Conservatives are mulling new legislation aimed at deterring human smuggling.

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews is expected to take a list of choices before cabinet during the week of Sept. 13.

At least three measures designed to combat the smuggling of migrants into Canada are being considered, including:

  • giving Canada the legal authority to stop illegal boats in international waters before they enter Canadian territory
  • imposing tough criminal penalties for human trafficking on captains, crews and owners of ships carrying illegal migrants
  • and seeking agreements with other nations, such as Sri Lanka, to interdict boats before they sail into the high seas.

There are existing laws that heavily penalize people involved in human smuggling and trafficking, including fines and jail terms, so it's unclear how the Tories could proceed further.

The government has been floating the idea of new laws since the arrival of a boat packed with Sri Lankan migrants in August. The MV Sun Sea reached the B.C. coast carrying nearly 500 Tamils.

Senior officials are now warning of another boat in Sri Lankan waters that is expected to transport a group of Tamils to Canada. The officials said it's possible that other boats may be preparing to make the same voyage.

The MV Sun Sea was the second vessel to arrive in Canada since a long-running civil war in Sri Lanka between the central government and Tamil rebels came to a violent end last year.

Its passengers and crew -- which include 63 women and 49 minors -- said they faced mass murder, disappearances and extortion in their home country, according to an unsigned letter released by the Canadian Tamil Congress.

The NDP's public safety critic said the government's focus on the issue is misguided without proof it actually is a case of human smuggling.

"If you really believe in being serious about Canada's obligations to take in refugees, this is what it looks like," said Don Davies.

"Don't run around making allegations of human smuggling and terrorists before there is any evidence of that."

Davies said what is being framed as a public safety issue is really a discussion about immigration policy and how Canada reaches out to refugees.

"If we don't want that system where people just try to make their way to Canada out of desperation, then maybe we should be stepping up our efforts in refugee camps," he said.

Immigration Minister Jason Kennedy is currently on a tour of India, China and the Philippines to encourage greater co-operation on immigration issues.

With files from The Canadian Press and CTV.ca