Pubdate: Sat, 20 Oct 2012
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 The Vancouver Sun
Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Tobi Cohen

NEW RULES FOR VISITORS RAISES PRIVACY ISSUES

Bill May Not Get Proper Scrutiny, Critics Say

OTTAWA - Critics fear that new border security measures in the latest 
federal budget bill may force visitors to Canada to reveal whether 
they're a drug user or have a communicable disease such as gonorrhea.

And because the measures are crammed into the sweeping bill that 
covers many unrelated topics, they may not get proper scrutiny, the 
critics say.

According to the budget implementation bill tabled this week, Canada 
is set to adopt the Electronic Travel Authorization ( ETA) system by 
2015 for people arriving by air from visa-exempt countries, including 
many European nations.

A type of mini visa that could be issued online within minutes, ETAs 
already exist in the United States. Details about drug use and 
medical conditions are among the personal details the Americans seek 
from visitors. While Australia also requires visitors to fill out an 
ETA, its version appears less invasive.

The Canadian initiative is part of the Beyond the Border perimeter 
security deal with the U. S. The deal signed last year explicitly 
states the Canadian ETA is to "mirror measures taken in the United 
States through its Electronic System for Travel Authorization."

The federal government argues the new tool will allow Canada to 
prevent inadmissible travellers such as failed refugee claimants, 
criminals and people on no-fly lists from entering the country since 
they'll be stopped before they buy their ticket or board a plane. The 
government says it will speed up the processing of legitimate 
travellers and reduce costs related to having to remove inadmissible 
people after they arrive at the border.

Nancy Caron, a spokeswoman for Citizenship and Immigration, said it's 
too soon to say which questions the Canadian ETA will pose. She said 
Canada has its own criteria and the questions don't necessarily have 
to conform to the U. S. version.

Critics, however, say this and other border security measures related 
to the U. S. deal raise all sorts of privacy, sovereignty and trade concerns.

"This is just, again, Harper acquiescing to U. S. demands around 
security and I think that's a problem," said Stuart Trew of the 
Council of Canadians, which has been critical of the Beyond the Border deal.

While government officials suggest 98 per cent of travellers to the 
U. S. are cleared for entry with no issues, Trew noted the two per 
cent that aren't can add up to a lot of people and that there's 
already evidence to suggest there are big problems with U. S. watch 
lists, against which travellers destined for Canada are likely to be 
scrutinized.

NDP public safety critic Randall Garrison said he supports the 
"principle" of electronic travel authorization systems which many 
countries have implemented successfully, but he has concerns about 
the U. S. version. "This government hasn't demonstrated in the past a 
great commitment to protection of privacy," Garrison said.

"Putting it in this big bill, I'm worried we won't get a chance to 
actually discuss what exactly is intended and how the information 
will be used because it won't get proper scrutiny and proper debate 
by being shoved into an omnibus budget bill."

Besides basic biographical, passport and contact information - 
essentially what the Australians are after - the U. S. form asks 
would-be visitors if they have a "communicable disease," "physical or 
mental disorder" or are a "drug abuser or addict."

Gonorrhea and syphilis are included among the examples provided and 
the U. S. government appears to be interested in those with disorders 
who could "pose a threat" to the "property, safety or welfare" of 
themselves or others.

The form also asks travellers if they've every been "arrested or 
convicted" of an offence related to "moral turpitude," a controlled 
substance, drug trafficking or two or more crimes that, combined, 
could result in a sentence of at least five years.

There are questions about potential involvement in espionage, 
sabotage, terrorist activities and genocide, as well as questions 
about child custody.

Travellers are also required to agree to a "waiver of rights" that 
precludes them from appealing a negative decision or a removal order, 
should one be obtained, if they've been found to have "violated" the 
terms of their admission. An authorization also doesn't guarantee 
entry to the U. S., as the final decision will rest with the customs 
officer at the point of entry. The U. S. requires a travel 
authorization from all travellers, including infants, and charges $ 14 for it.

Canadians are exempt from filling out the U. S. form and the same 
will apply to Americans entering Canada once its system is up and 
running. The requirement, however, will apply to all those travelling 
from other visa-exempt countries, including Europeans.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom