OTTAWA -- Foreign nationals who commit crimes in Canada are not welcome here, and new legislation introduced Wednesday will prevent them from appealing their convictions and expedite their deportation.

"Under the current system, too many of these foreign criminals are able to appeal their deportation orders and extend their time in Canada while awaiting convictions," Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Jason Kenney told reporters, explaining some cases have gone on more than 20 years.

Under current law, foreign nationals sentenced to less than two years can appeal their convictions. As a result, sentences of two years less a day are frequently handed out to avoid speedy deportations. In the proposed Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act, to qualify for an appeal, the sentence must be less than six months.

"Measures under the (new legislation) will help us remove all unnecessary appeals and expedite the removal of all those with a sentence of six months or more," Kenney said. "They should get their due process, but you can't abuse our process."

The new act would extend the powers of the minister of citizenship and immigration to deny temporary resident status to an individual for up to three years, if that person's behaviour is seen to threaten any public policy. It also doles out harsher penalties for anyone found trying to cheat the system or file a false, misrepresentative claim, banning re-application to Canada for five years.

NDP immigration critic Jinny Sims expressed concerns "about the growing centralization of power and control into the hands of the minister," she said.

But Kenney said the new powers would contribute to that minister's accountability, adding the government simply doesn't have the time to consult with Opposition and other groups on every case.

"I'm more concerned about the rights of law-abiding citizens than for those of foreign nationals who break the law," Kenney said.