Close X
Sunday, November 17, 2024
ADVT 
National

Muslim, Liberties Groups Call On Senators To Revise Preclearance Bill

The Canadian Press, 06 Dec, 2017 12:34 PM
  • Muslim, Liberties Groups Call On Senators To Revise Preclearance Bill
OTTAWA — Civil libertarians and Muslim groups say minorities will face more border hassles under planned new procedures for preclearing travellers to enter the United States.
 
Under preclearance, travellers don't have to pass through customs in the U.S. because they've already done so before departing Canada.
 
Currently, passengers flying to American cities through eight major Canadian airports can be precleared there by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers.
 
The Senate is studying legislation that would expand preclearance operations, with the aim of speeding the flow of people and goods across the border.
 
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says it's better to be cleared for entry into the United States while in Canada, because travellers are protected under the Canadian charter of rights, as opposed to American laws.
 
Under provisions of the bill, travellers would be allowed to withdraw from preclearance, but a U.S. officer could ask a traveller to identify themselves or pose questions about the reason for withdrawing.
 
The Ottawa-based International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group, the Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association, the National Council of Canadian Muslims and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada say they want changes to the bill to better protect fundamental rights.
 
Canadian Muslims and other minorities already experience more scrutiny, invasive searches and abusive questions as they pass through preclearance areas in Canadian airport, says Ihsaan Gardee, executive director of the National Council of Canadian Muslims.
 
Tim McSorley of the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group says Canadians should not have to give up "essential protections" in exchange for the benefits of faster travel to the U.S.

MORE National ARTICLES

Winnipeg Woman Convicted Of Storing Remains Of Six Infants Back In Court In July

Winnipeg Woman Convicted Of Storing Remains Of Six Infants Back In Court In July
WINNIPEG — A woman convicted of concealing the bodies of six infants in a Winnipeg storage locker is to be in court July 7 for a sentencing hearing.

Winnipeg Woman Convicted Of Storing Remains Of Six Infants Back In Court In July

How Ontario's New Foreign Homebuyer Tax Would Work

How Ontario's New Foreign Homebuyer Tax Would Work
A 15-per-cent non-resident speculation tax proposed by the Ontario government Thursday forms a key plank in the province's plan to cool the hot housing market in its southern cities.

How Ontario's New Foreign Homebuyer Tax Would Work

WestJet Airlines Looks To Launch New No-Frills Airline Later This Year

CALGARY — WestJet Airlines Ltd. (TSX:WJA) will launch a new discount carrier later this year in a bid to offer travellers a no-frills, low-cost option, the company said on Thursday.

WestJet Airlines Looks To Launch New No-Frills Airline Later This Year

WATCH: Surrey, B.C. Singer Kirti Arneja Sings With Bollywood Star Mika Singh

WATCH: Surrey, B.C. Singer Kirti Arneja Sings With Bollywood Star Mika Singh
20-year-old Vancouver singer Kirti Arneja has just signed with the same label as one of Bollywood's biggest names, Mika Singh. 

WATCH: Surrey, B.C. Singer Kirti Arneja Sings With Bollywood Star Mika Singh

Two People Found Dead In Home In Williams Lake, B.C.

Two People Found Dead In Home In Williams Lake, B.C.
WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — Two people have been found dead by police in a home in Williams Lake, B.C.

Two People Found Dead In Home In Williams Lake, B.C.

'No Impact Of Australian Visa Move On Indian Techies'

Indian techies working in Australia would not be affected by its government's move on visas granted to them under a specific category, said the Indian IT industry's representative body Nasscom on Wednesday.

'No Impact Of Australian Visa Move On Indian Techies'