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'No-fly' list by 2006
Transport Minister calls for new 'culture of security'
James Gordon; with files from Allan Woods
Saturday, August 06, 2005
OTTAWA - The federal government plans to launch a "no-fly" list next year to keep terrorists and anyone considered a security threat off airplanes in Canada, part of a security review that will examine all aspects of public transit in this country.
Jean Lapierre, the federal Minister of Transport, said in Halifax yesterday that the no-fly list, to be called Passenger Protect, will provide "one more layer of security to prevent terrorist attacks against aviation."
The government plans to consult with airlines, the RCMP, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the privacy commissioner and others beginning this month before implementing the program in 2006.
There was no word as to what criteria would be used to select people for the list, or how much it would cost.
Mr. Lapierre added that the screening of passengers at airports will be intensified by using fingerprints and other biometric techniques.
The move could help appease U.S. demands that Canada provide Washington with lists of passengers on all Canadian flights that travel over American territory. So far, Ottawa has resisted the pressure for such a list.
"We know Canada has been identified as a target for terrorists," Mr. Lapierre said.
"Unfortunately, we will have to develop a culture of security.... The situation in the whole world is forcing us to have a whole plan covering all transportation without exception."
Shortly after Mr. Lapierre made his announcement in Halifax, officials with the Toronto Transit Commission announced a proposal to add 3,000 closed-circuit television cameras to the existing 800 on its system, at a cost of $15-million.
Twelve Canadian cities use such cameras to monitor public spaces, while another 15 are debating the issue.
Similar cameras have been credited with allowing police in the British capital to quickly arrest suspects in the July 7 and July 21 bombing attacks.
Yesterday's no-fly announcement came as the United States continues to struggle with its own list, which has flagged such people as U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy and former music star Cat Stevens (now known as Yusuf Islam) as potential terrorists. In one case, a federal air marshal could not board a flight for weeks while waiting for his name to be removed. ( :rotflmao: He doesn't strike me as someone who is very motivated. Ever.)
Most of the problems come down to basic spelling and multiple aliases. Yusuf Islam was stopped because there was a "Youssef Islam" in the system, and another terrorist apparently went by the false name T. Kennedy.
Mr. Lapierre said Passenger Protect would be a "made in Canada" solution to air security. Senior federal officials expressed confidence that glitches could be ironed out.
He said Ottawa will not agree to a U.S. request to check all airline passengers -- including those on domestic flights -- against the U.S. no-fly list.
"I have stressed that it is not appropriate, for example, that people flying from Halifax to Toronto be vetted against the U.S. no-fly list," Mr. Lapierre said.
Wesley Wark, a security and intelligence professor with the University of Toronto, said Canada will undoubtedly face growing pains similar to those experienced by Washington with its list.[/quote]
Link
Transport Minister calls for new 'culture of security'
James Gordon; with files from Allan Woods
Saturday, August 06, 2005
OTTAWA - The federal government plans to launch a "no-fly" list next year to keep terrorists and anyone considered a security threat off airplanes in Canada, part of a security review that will examine all aspects of public transit in this country.
Jean Lapierre, the federal Minister of Transport, said in Halifax yesterday that the no-fly list, to be called Passenger Protect, will provide "one more layer of security to prevent terrorist attacks against aviation."
The government plans to consult with airlines, the RCMP, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the privacy commissioner and others beginning this month before implementing the program in 2006.
There was no word as to what criteria would be used to select people for the list, or how much it would cost.
Mr. Lapierre added that the screening of passengers at airports will be intensified by using fingerprints and other biometric techniques.
The move could help appease U.S. demands that Canada provide Washington with lists of passengers on all Canadian flights that travel over American territory. So far, Ottawa has resisted the pressure for such a list.
"We know Canada has been identified as a target for terrorists," Mr. Lapierre said.
"Unfortunately, we will have to develop a culture of security.... The situation in the whole world is forcing us to have a whole plan covering all transportation without exception."
Shortly after Mr. Lapierre made his announcement in Halifax, officials with the Toronto Transit Commission announced a proposal to add 3,000 closed-circuit television cameras to the existing 800 on its system, at a cost of $15-million.
Twelve Canadian cities use such cameras to monitor public spaces, while another 15 are debating the issue.
Similar cameras have been credited with allowing police in the British capital to quickly arrest suspects in the July 7 and July 21 bombing attacks.
Yesterday's no-fly announcement came as the United States continues to struggle with its own list, which has flagged such people as U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy and former music star Cat Stevens (now known as Yusuf Islam) as potential terrorists. In one case, a federal air marshal could not board a flight for weeks while waiting for his name to be removed. ( :rotflmao: He doesn't strike me as someone who is very motivated. Ever.)
Most of the problems come down to basic spelling and multiple aliases. Yusuf Islam was stopped because there was a "Youssef Islam" in the system, and another terrorist apparently went by the false name T. Kennedy.
Mr. Lapierre said Passenger Protect would be a "made in Canada" solution to air security. Senior federal officials expressed confidence that glitches could be ironed out.
He said Ottawa will not agree to a U.S. request to check all airline passengers -- including those on domestic flights -- against the U.S. no-fly list.
"I have stressed that it is not appropriate, for example, that people flying from Halifax to Toronto be vetted against the U.S. no-fly list," Mr. Lapierre said.
Wesley Wark, a security and intelligence professor with the University of Toronto, said Canada will undoubtedly face growing pains similar to those experienced by Washington with its list.[/quote]
Link
