Saturday, October 28, 2006

Canadian no-fly list coming soon to an airport near you

Both the Toronto Star (TheStar.com - No-fly list cleared for takeoff) and the Globe & Mail (globeandmail.com: No-fly list will add layer of security to air travel) are reporting that the Canadian government is about to release regulations to allow for a "made in Canada" do not fly list.

From the Globe:

globeandmail.com: No-fly list will add layer of security to air travel:

The government says people will be added to the new no-fly list only under specific circumstances: past involvement in a terrorist group and reasonable suspicion of being a threat to air safety; or having at least one conviction for a life-threatening crime against aviation security or another target that would indicate a possible threat to air safety.

The government also said it will set up an efficient, non-judicial appeal process for those who believe their names don't belong on the list and want to be removed quickly. Individuals can also appeal to the Commission for Public Complaints against the RCMP, or take the case to Federal Court.

We'll have to wait and see how exactly this is implemented, but I have one suggestion: the screening should happen when the booking is made, not just when the person shows up at the airport. At least that will provide some opportunity to challenge a decision without having to necessarily miss a flight.

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