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But pity is cheap. Would we take them? Almost certainly not, and for several reasons.

First, although their motivation is economic and while economic motivation is perfectly understandable and honourable — we all want a better life for ourselves and our kids — most of the 7,000 probably wouldn’t qualify as economic migrants under our system. At the most basic level, most of them probably don’t speak English or French. Thanks to recent immigration debates going on in the States, we Canadians are now famous around the world for being very selective about who we do and don’t let in. And our points-based criteria are very picky.

Second, if we tell 7,000 people that if they manage to get to the U.S.’s southern border, we’ll take them, how long before the 7,000 become 70,000, or 700,000, or more? In fact, Trump being Trump and therefore mercurial, if it weren’t for that obvious moral hazard (not to mention the mid-term elections being less than two weeks away), the promoter and salesman in him might otherwise be tempted to say: “Sure, come on in. We’ll take you!” What better advertisement for the U.S.? Are there caravans of people lining up to get into Russia, or China? I don’t think so.

Third, mention of the mid-terms may remind you we’ve got an election coming up, too. Border control isn’t the compelling priority in Quebec yet that it’s been in Arizona and New Mexico in recent years. But, I’m betting the prime minister’s political operatives would advise against anything reminding voters of the last two summers’ spectacle of people stepping across our border with their suitcases and kids in tow, delighted to be arrested by the RCMP and thus enter the haven of our slow-moving refugee system.

Finally, after the political disaster of the NAFTA negotiations, the PMO will think very carefully about doing anything to tick off Trump. You never know. Our taking the 7,000 might not do that. (“If they want them, then let those crazy Canucks have them!”) But it’s more likely that Trump would see it as Weak Justin trying to show him up. So, better to be careful.

But if we ourselves wouldn’t take the 7,000, then in considering the painful details of this unfolding human tragedy, let’s ease up on our moral superiority concerning what the Americans do.