Civil liberty fears as Canada expands US preclearance operations
Canadian federal lawmakers have paved the way for expanded preclearance for US-bound travelers.
The Canadian Parliament ratified an arrangement which was agreed in principle back in 2016.
It will give new powers to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers to conduct more security checks on Canadian soil.
"The Government of Canada is committed to making the Canada-United States border more efficient and secure," Ralph Goodale, Canada’s minister of public safety and emergency preparedness, said in a statement.
"Today we are one step closer to expanding preclearance – making travel faster for Canadians and bolstering trade, while also protecting our rights."
US CBP officers are already present at some airports and border crossings and this wider agreement will see that potentially increased to cover all international transport hubs and border crossings.
It will also allow Canada to set up its first preclearance areas in the US.
However Tim McSorley, national coordinator for the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group says the sheer number of border crossings by land or air ‘open things up to greater escalation of problems.’
Around 400,000 people travel between the two countries every day.
McSorley also questioned the lack of accountability of CBP officers if Canadians feel they have been mistreated.
"If they’re granting new powers, there should be a clear way for a Canadian to seek a legal remedy if they feel that their rights have been violated."
That was echoed by the Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association which said it will ‘provide explicit blanket immunity’ to US officers.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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