Measures seek to protect Canadians by preventing the travel of those seeking to engage in terrorist activity abroad
May 7, 2015 Ottawa, Ontario Public Safety Canada
The Honourable Steven Blaney, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and Chris Alexander, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister, today announced the introduction of the Prevention of Terrorist Travel Act and changes to the Canadian Passport Order (CPO):
Amendments to the Canadian Passport Order will provide the Government of Canada with a strengthened ability to cancel, refuse or revoke passports as a preventative measure against high-risk travellers and transnational child sex offenders, in alignment with the Criminal Code of Canada.
With the amendments to the CPO, passports could be cancelled, refused or revoked for national security purposes, terrorism, or for transnational child sex offences in order to prevent individuals from travelling abroad. In addition, the maximum period for refusal of passport services is now set at 10 years.
Measures proposed under the Prevention of Terrorist Travel Act would enable a Federal Court judge presiding over proceedings for passport cancellation, refusal or revocation decisions related to national security or terrorism to protect sensitive information from disclosure, but also use that information in making their decision.
Jean-Christophe de Le Rue
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-991-2924
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
Kevin Menard
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
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For more information, please visit the website www.publicsafety.gc.ca.
