ACTION ALERT: Harper must oppose the U.S. Secure Flight program
October 11, 2007
As reported by CTV.ca, "Under a new U.S. proposal (the Department of Homeland Security's Secure Flight program), Canadian airlines flying to southern destinations over U.S. airspace would be forced to hand over personal information about their passengers."
The report notes, "Canadian airline officials say the proposal is unnecessary because Canada already has its own no-fly list. 'Our position is that it just does not make sense in light of the fact that Canada has its own no-fly list, which was developed very closely and in co-operation with U.S. authorities,' said Air Transportation Association of Canada policy vice-president, Fred Gaspar."
You will remember that the no-fly list is very much a Security and Prosperity Partnership initiative. The "Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America Report to Leaders, August 2006" states, "Develop, test, evaluate and implement a plan to establish comparable aviation passenger screening..." Under the "key milestones" with this initiative the report states, "Develop comparable standards and procedures within 24 months (June 2007) for passenger screening to increase aviation security."
Under the proposed Secure Flight program, Canadian airlines would be required to provide the following information on Canadian travellers to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security: the passenger's full name; their date of birth; gender; a 'known traveller number'; the passenger's itinerary, including the departure airport code, departure time, and arrival destination and time.
CTV.ca reports that, "The deadline to comment on the proposal is Oct. 22."
TAKE ACTION
Send your letter today demanding that Prime Minister Harper act before Monday October 22 to publicly oppose this U.S. Department of Homeland Security initiative that along with the SPP no-fly list further compromises the privacy rights of Canadians. (Send your letter from our website using the form below)
Prime Minister Harper,
I am already deeply concerned about your government's no-fly list, which is part of the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America.
Federal, provincial and territorial privacy guardians have called for the suspension of this list. They have urged you to refer the matter to a parliamentary committee that can hold public hearings on this issue. You have not done so.
Now, despite the no-fly list, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security wants to implement their Secure Flight program in which Canadian airlines would be required to provide the following information on Canadian travellers who are flying to southern destinations over U.S. airspace to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security: the passenger's full name; their date of birth; gender; a 'known traveller number'; the passenger's itinerary, including the departure airport code, departure time, and arrival destination and time.
In short, this is outrageous and I expect that you on behalf of all Canadians will publicly oppose this measure.
I join with the Council of Canadians in calling for your public condemnation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Secure Flight program prior to October 22 and for you to suspend the no-fly list and for you to initiate public hearings to examine the justification for this program.
Sincerely,
<your name>
Brent Patterson, Director of Organizing and Campaigns, The Council of Canadians
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