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Canada Plans to Dramatically Increase the Biometric Data it Collects From Travelers

“For a prosperous and pluralistic country like Canada … borders cannot be barriers. Still, they must be filters, effective filters,” Prime Minister Stephen Harper said at a press conference in Toronto on Thursday.
Photo by Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press

As part of its efforts to combat terrorism, Canada will significantly expand its powers to collect biometric information from all foreign travelers who require a visa, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Thursday.

Currently, Canada collects fingerprints and digital photographs of travelers from 29 countries, such as Syria and Pakistan. This biometric screening will be extended to citizens from around 150 countries, but will not, for example, affect visitors from the US, most of Europe, and Australia.

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People applying for a study or work permit, excluding Americans, would fall under the new rules.

"For a prosperous and pluralistic country like Canada…borders cannot be barriers. Still they must be filters, effective filters," Harper said at a press conference in Toronto. "No country can sustain its prosperity without the relentless defense of its borders."

PM Harper making this security announcement in front of people who lost family members in the 9-11 attacks. — Kevin Misener (@Misener680NEWS)June 4, 2015

Biometric data can include fingerprint records and iris scans.

An internal government memo obtained by the Canadian Press last year said that the Canadian government was building a database that could be used to exchange data from Britain, Australia and New Zealand. More than 70 countries collect biometric data on foreign travelers.

Related: Leaked CIA Manual Shows How Operatives Get Through Airport Security Without Blowing Their Cover

But civil liberties experts are concerned that the proposed changes will undermine privacy rights.

The chair of the Canadian Bar Association wrote a letter this week urging the government to narrow its focus and collect the least amount of personal information as possible.

"The proposed amendment would expand the collection of personal information without adequate rationale and sufficient consultation," the letter states.

The new security measure is expected to come into effect by 2019, after it's approved by the government. Foreigners traveling to Canada are charged $85 per person for the biometric data gathering, according to the Globe and Mail. The government plans to spend $312 million over five years to implement the screening process.

At the same press conference, Harper also announced more funding for Canada's spy agency. The government will inject $137 million over five years for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). Harper added that the Canada Revenue Agency will devote $10 million over five years to combat the financing of terrorist groups through charities .

"Our government does not hesitate in calling this enemy by its name: violent jihadism. And as we do not hesitate to condemn it, we do not hesitate to confront it, either at home or abroad," Harper said.

Follow Rachel Browne on Twitter: @rp_browne