Question Period Note: Security Screening Process

A recent media article in the National Post asks how a former Tehran police chief linked to human-rights abuses was able to obtain a visa to Canada.

• The Government takes its border and national security responsibilities very seriously.

• The safety and protection of Canadians is a top priority for the CBSA.

• To that end, the Agency conducts risk assessments on all travellers seeking entry to Canada, regardless of immigration status, and takes the appropriate steps to mitigate risks that some individuals may pose to the safety and security of Canada and Canadians.

• Admissibility of all travelers is decided on a case-by-case basis and based on the information made available at the time of entry. Several factors are used in determining admissibility into Canada, including involvement in criminal activity, in human rights violations, in organized crime, security, health or financial reasons.

• If serious inadmissibility concerns are found even after a person has entered Canada, the CBSA can proceed with immigration enforcement if necessary.

• We cannot comment on specific cases due to privacy.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) cannot comment on specific cases due to privacy.

The CBSA takes its border and national security responsibilities very seriously. The safety and protection of Canadians are the CBSA’s top priorities.

All persons, including Canadian citizens, seeking entry to Canada must present to the CBSA and may be subject to a more in-depth exam. All persons must demonstrate they meet the requirements to enter and/or stay in Canada.

Admissibility of all travelers is decided on a case-by-case basis and based on the information made available at the time of entry. Several factors are used in determining admissibility into Canada, including involvement in criminal activity, in human rights violations, in organized crime, security, health or financial reasons.

The CBSA conducts risk assessments on all travellers seeking entry to Canada, and takes the appropriate steps to mitigate risks that some individuals may pose to the safety and security of Canada and Canadians.

The CBSA also works with its partners to conduct a security screening on foreign nationals seeking entry into Canada.

The CBSA verifies the person’s identity using both biographic and biometric information, as well as conduct security, criminal record and health checks.

Both the screening and risk assessment processes include the collection and analysis of information from a variety of sources and partners to determine admissibility and risk.

If serious admissibility concerns are found even after a person has entered Canada, the CBSA can proceed with immigration enforcement if necessary. The case could go to an admissibility hearing at the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). If that board also finds the person is inadmissible, a removal order may be issued.

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