Organization's Role in Public Safety

Canada welcomes visitors, immigrants and refugees. This welcome must be balanced with protecting the security and health of Canadians and the integrity of Canadian laws. Tools must be provided for Canadian authorities to screen, to refuse entry to and to remove potential threats. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) works with enforcement partners to deal with threats of terrorism and criminality-overseas, at ports of entry and borders and within Canada-and with public health specialists to ensure the health and safety of Canadians. In particular, CIC has taken the following steps to enhance Canada's safety and security.

Key Public Safety Activities

• Implementation of the new Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations on June 28, 2002. The Act provides CIC with new tools to increase Canada's security, including strengthening the ability to arrest and remove criminals and security threats. At the same time, we have implemented security screening of refugee claimants earlier in the claim process. Canada's new Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and accompanying regulations take a balanced approach. It is tough legislation for those who pose a threat to public security while building on the important contributions immigrants and refugees have made in the past and will continue to make in the future.
• Initialing of the final text of the Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States on August 30, 2002. The Safe Third Country Agreement between Canada and the United States will promote the orderly handling of refugee claims and improve management of the shared border. The Agreement will guarantee that every person who seeks protection will have access to a refugee status hearing in Canada or the United States, but not in both countries. No one will be removed to another country without a full and fair hearing. Consultations were held with stakeholders to obtain their input on the text of the Agreement. After both governments approve the Agreement, regulations governing the implementation will be available for public review and comment.
• Issuing the new Permanent Resident Card to all new immigrants as of June 28, 2002. This fraud-resistant photo identification card will be used as proof of permanent resident status for immigrants who plan to travel abroad. Beginning in the fall of 2002, applications for the card will be accepted from permanent residents currently living in Canada. As of December 31, 2003, the card will be required for permanent residents who wish to re-enter Canada by commercial carrier.
• Enhancement of the network of specialized officers overseas. CIC has a growing network of specialized immigration officers around the world who gather information and work cooperatively with regional and international partners to prevent the irregular migration of people seeking to enter Canada. The role of these officers is being expanded to include more intelligence gathering, interdiction of improperly documented travellers and fraud prevention. In the past six years, these officers have stopped over 40,000 people abroad from trying to enter Canada with improper travel documents.
• Ongoing reviews of the visa policy. Citizens of every country need a visa to visit Canada unless their country is exempted from the requirement. The temporary resident visa application process allows for the screening of travellers before they arrive in Canada.
• Medical testing and surveillance. The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act requires that all applicants for permanent residence and some visitors who apply to enter Canada have a medical examination. Based on this examination, applicants might be refused entry into Canada if they have a health condition that is likely to be a danger to public health and safety, or that could be very demanding on health or social services. The Act also requires that people with certain medical conditions be placed under medical surveillance to ensure appropriate treatment and follow-up