SECU – Narrative for Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security appearance – August 28, 2024

Security screening in Canada

One of the Government of Canada’s top priorities is to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians. We take all threats seriously.

Multiple departments and agencies work together at different stages of the immigration screening process to preserve national security.

Measures are in place for law enforcement and security agencies to work in close collaboration with local and international partners to share information and investigate the activities of people who may pose a national security risk. This allows us to mitigate potential threats in Canada by refusing their entry to the country or ensuring their removal if they are already in Canada.

Canadians can be confident that Canada’s law enforcement and security agencies investigate and respond to potential threats. We will always take the necessary action to keep Canadians and those on Canadian soil safe.

Immigration security screening, monitoring and information sharing is a joint effort between Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Together, we manage a continuum of security in three phases:

1. before someone travels to Canada;
2. at the border – port of entry;
3. once in Canada.

Before travelling to Canada

Immigration screening is one of the first lines of defence against threats to Canada and Canadians through any of our immigration pathways. The Government of Canada screens for terrorism, violent extremism, espionage, organized crime, danger to public health and other national security concerns.

Everyone who applies to visit, study, work or permanently immigrate to Canada is subject to a security assessment. We continuously review and update indicators of fraud, abuse, risk and threat, so our officers have up-to-date information on the latest trends.

IRCC assesses their personal information and history against departmental databases and risk indicators, in addition to other checks. If concerns are identified, cases are referred to CBSA and/or CSIS for comprehensive security screening.

CSIS and CBSA are key players in this process. They offer important security advice on people applying for immigration and citizenship.

Each case is decided on its own merits. Applications are assessed by highly trained immigration officers who carefully and systematically assess each application against the criteria set out in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Even after a visa has been issued, CBSA officers can identify individuals that may pose a risk before they board an aircraft destined for Canada, as well as when they arrive at a Canadian port of entry.

IRCC can also cancel visas if new information exposes issues before a person arrives in Canada.

At the border – point of entry

CBSA officers work diligently to identify security risks and the admissibility of travellers during several stages of the process of travelling to Canada.

By screening passengers before they board airplanes and working with airlines to identify improperly documented travellers abroad, the CBSA seeks to identify potential security risks prior to departure.

As part of the pre-border continuum, the Agency maintains a network of officers who work with mission partners and host nation border-control and security contacts to support screening efforts in the pre-departure realm, where information-sharing agreements permit.

Another layer of screening takes place at Canadian ports of entry, where frontline officers assess the admissibility and security risk of persons coming to Canada so legitimate travel and trade can continue efficiently and safely, while keeping inadmissible people and goods out of our communities.

Everyone seeking entry to Canada is assessed by the CBSA and must demonstrate that they meet the requirements to enter.

Final admissibility of all travellers is decided on a case-by-case basis using information made available to the officer at the time of entry. Travellers must provide information regarding the reason for their travel and supporting documents. Other relevant information may be requested by an officer.

An individual may be inadmissible to Canada on various grounds, including involvement in criminal activity or organized crime, as well as for human rights violations and security, health or financial reasons.

Even after a visa has been issued, CBSA officers can identify individuals that may pose a risk before they board an aircraft destined for Canada, as well as when they arrive at a Canadian port of entry.

If there are concerns about admissibility, officers may conduct an interview, request additional documentation and refer the case to security partners for additional security screening.

Once in Canada

The RCMP and CSIS work together and with others to continually monitor, assess and act on any public safety considerations and national security concerns within Canada.

When the CBSA becomes aware of possible violations (including criminal convictions), it investigates and takes the appropriate action.

CSIS investigates violent extremist activities, employing a suite of tools such as human source collection and threat reduction measures to prevent threat actors from committing serious violence.

The RCMP and its partners within the Public Safety Portfolio share the responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of Canadians and protecting Canadian interests.

Individuals who violate Canada’s immigration laws may face serious consequences, including being found inadmissible, removal from Canada, as well as criminal charges and convictions.

When an individual is alleged to be inadmissible to Canada, the allegation may be referred to a hearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board, depending on the grounds for inadmissibility and the immigration status of the individual.

Even after a person has been granted citizenship, measures exist to revoke it to maintain the integrity of our system.

The revocation of citizenship, however, is a serious issue. The Minister of IRCC has the authority to revoke citizenship if the person was granted it by false representation or fraud or by knowingly concealing material circumstances.

Measures to enhance security

In 2023, IRCC consolidated many aspects of migration integrity into a single sector accountable for enhancing the integrity of immigration, citizenship and passport programs.

This realignment has put an increased focus on threat and risk identification and advice, and has strengthened our national security efforts.

We continue to work with partners on improvements to security screening, including establishing a national security division. We are also engaged in enhanced collaboration with our United States partners on border and migration security.

We regularly update guidance to officers so admissibility is carefully assessed, immigration fraud is effectively prevented, and our immigration programs are not used to carry out threats against Canadians.

Working closely with CSIS and CBSA, we continuously review and update security screening risk indicators to help ensure that the people who are most likely to pose a potential security threat to Canada are referred for comprehensive security screening and that immigration officers have up-to-date information on the latest trends.

We also continuously refine our case management system to improve the efficiency of information sharing with security partners.