Ottawa proposes no-fly list

David Canton - for the London Free Press - December 2, 2006 Read this on Canoe

The federal government has announced plans to create a Canadian no-fly list. The screening program, Passenger Protect, would create a watchlist of individuals to be denied entry to aircraft.

According to Transport Canada, inclusion on the list would be based on a decision the person poses an immediate threat to aviation security should they board an aircraft.

Air carriers must immediately inform Transport Canada when an individual presents identification matching those of a "specified person." The Minister of Transport may then issue an emergency direction denying boarding to the individual.

Inclusion on the no-fly list will be according to Transport Canada guidelines. Those added to the list may include:

- An individual who is or has been involved in a terrorist group, and who, it can reasonably be suspected, will endanger the security of any aircraft or aerodrome or the safety of the public, passengers or crew.

- An individual who has been convicted of one or more serious and life-threatening crimes against aviation security.

- An individual who has been convicted of one or more serious and life-threatening offences and who may attack or harm an air carrier, passengers, or crew members.

Asked by the Privacy Commissioner what criteria would be used to add names to the list, Transport Canada replied that "There is no automatic inclusion or exclusion to the list based on a single factor or combination of factors."

As stated to the Privacy Commissioner, factors such as a criminal record or outstanding warrant alone will not constitute grounds for inclusion on the list. Rather, decisions will be based on the vague classification as an immediate threat to aviation security. Transport Canada says each name on the list will be reviewed at least every 30 days to ensure the information is accurate and up-to-date.

A Transport Canada-led advisory group will review information brought forward by CSIS and the RCMP on a case-by-case basis and make recommendations on who to include on the list. Such information may include that received from foreign intelligence and law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Government or Interpol.

An office of reconsideration will be set up to receive requests for reconsideration from individuals denied boarding under the program.

Details of individuals will be given to air carriers. Transport Canada may disclose information received to government authorities and persons designated by the RCMP or CSIS.