“Your fingerprints, please!” At the U.S.-Canada border in Beebe Plain, VT. (Mike Kalasnik / Wikimedia)
Canada’s Prime Minister has announced a $312 million plan to require biometric screening, such as fingerprints or iris scans for all foreign nationals entering Canada on visas. The program is to be implemented in stages, finishing by 2018.
The rules would apply to tourists, foreign students, migrant workers—everyone coming from a country where Canada requires a visa. A limited program, applying only to tourists, students and workers from 29 countries has been in effect since 2013.
Objections have been raised on grounds of cost, and by civil liberties advocates who are concerned about privacy rights. Another objection has been raised that many people may be coming from areas where there is no way for prospective visitors to have secure fingerprints taken, a matter that would especially affect refugees.
For more, click HERE for a full article in the Toronto Star.
