New office to handle no-fly list issues

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale says the Passenger Protect Inquiries Office is a step toward creating a full homegrown redress system to better deal with false name matches against Canada’s no-fly list.

He says a redress system will eventually allow travellers whose names closely match those on the list to apply for a unique identification number.

They could use this number at the time of ticket purchase to clear their name in advance and prevent delays.

However, Goodale says, putting this new system in place will require important regulatory and data system changes — an overhaul that may take more than 18 months.

Dozens of Canadian youngsters have recently experienced unnerving airport delays because their names appeared to match those on a security list.

Earlier this year, Goodale reminded airlines that they don’t need to vet children against Canada’s no-fly list. But some families of children caught in the web say they still can’t check the kids in online.

— Jim Bronskill

News from © Canadian Press Enterprises Inc. 2016