CUSJ has submitted comments to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (SECU) regarding Bill C-23. This bill could compromise the Canadian government’s ability to ensure the privacy and rights of its own citizens when they travel, by expanding the powers of US officials.
At present, the US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) operates preclearance areas for US bound travellers at eight Canadian airports. The Canadian government is intent on increasing the number of US preclearance operations in Canada, and extending them from their present use at airports to include rail and cruise ship terminals. Possibly our government is afraid of the economic consequences if they don’t comply with the US government’s demands. There is also talk of establishing Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) preclearance areas in the US but no concrete proposals have been published.
To read the full text of CUSJ’s submission to the SECU, provided by CUSJ friend Jack Dodds, click here.