Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller Emphasizes Reliability of Biometric Verification
In a significant policy shift, the Canadian government has announced that police clearance certificates will no longer be required for individuals entering the country as temporary residents, including those on study permits. This change was confirmed by Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller, during a session of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration.
Responding to questions from Indo-Canadian MP Arpan Khanna, Minister Miller clarified the government’s stance, stating, “I have never said such certificates are required for temporary residents.” He explained that the verification process primarily relies on biometric data, such as fingerprints, which are cross-checked against international law enforcement databases.
“We do not, as a routine matter, require police certificates from the country of origin for temporary residents,” Miller said. “They may be required if an officer decides to do so as part of a cascading security screening.” He also dismissed the efficacy of police clearance certificates, noting, “You could imagine how unreliable those certificates would be.”
The decision to drop the police clearance requirement comes amid scrutiny over security checks for temporary residents, particularly international students. This scrutiny intensified following the arrest of four individuals in connection with the murder of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar, two of whom had entered Canada as students.
Minister Miller’s remarks countered recent criticisms from Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who claimed that Canada had welcomed individuals with organized crime links from Punjab. Jaishankar had stated, “We have been telling Canada saying, look these are wanted criminals from India, you have given them visas. But the Canadian government has not done anything.”
Rebutting these claims, Miller emphasized the robustness of Canada’s screening processes. “We’re not lax. And the Indian foreign minister is entitled to his opinion. I’m going to let him speak his mind. It’s just not accurate,” Miller asserted. He further explained that the screening process for student visa applicants is thorough, ensuring that individuals with criminal records are not granted entry.
This policy adjustment reflects Canada’s commitment to maintaining a balanced and effective immigration system, leveraging advanced biometric verification methods to ensure security while simplifying the entry process for temporary residents.