Ottawa – Too many Canadians have difficulty travelling through Canada’s airports for the sole reason that their names are the same or similar to those of people on the national ‘no-fly’ list.

The Senate Committee on Human Rights will study this issue, with a focus on the difficulties that families face when their children cannot check in because someone else with the same name is considered a security threat.

One individual was delayed in 2015 because he was deemed to be “high profile,” according to a CTV News report.

That individual was six years old. He was travelling with his father.

The federal government announced in 2016 the creation of a new office to handle inquiries from travellers who find themselves on Canada’s ‘no-fly’ list. The committee is eager to learn how this process is going and how best to address this issue in the future.

Quick Facts

• Canada’s ‘no-fly’ list is officially known as the Secure Air Travel Act It is administered by the Passenger Protect Program, which is run by Public Safety Canada and Transport Canada, in co-operation with other federal departments and agencies.
• Government Bill C-59, An Act respecting national security matters, proposes amendments to the Passenger Protect Program that would allow the relevant minister to collect personal information to assist with pre-flight verification of identity. The bill is being studied by the Senate Committee on National Security and Defence.

Quotes

“It is a source of shame that something as simple as a shared name can see minors held and even separated from their parents. We can surely do better.”

- Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard, Chair of the committee

“It is unacceptable that Canadian citizens, including children, are being prevented from traveling because their name is the same or similar to someone on the no-fly list. Being unfairly treated as a security threat has caused fear and immense frustration for many Canadian families. Something must be done.”

- Senator Salma Ataullahjan, Deputy Chair of the committee

“Canada’s ‘no-fly’ list serves a genuine security purpose, but its flaws have effectively created a group of second-class citizens whose mobility rights have been unjustly restricted.”

- Senator Jane Cordy, Deputy Chair of the committee

Associated Links

• Follow the committee on social media using the hashtag #RIDR.
• Sign up for the Senate eNewsletter.

For more information, please contact:

Sonia Noreau
Public Relations Officer | Communications Directorate
Senate of Canada
613-614-1180 | sonia.noreau@sen.parl.gc.ca