Public Safety committee  We need to look at the feasibility of implementing in other modes. It's just not as feasible in the land mode. Everybody who is crossing the land border is expected to present themselves to a customs official, a border services officer. At that time the border services officer will evaluate the documentation of the individual seeking entry into Canada.

Public Safety committee  If the individual poses a serious and immediate threat to the Canadian public, they should be given the recommendation not to board the individual.

Public Safety committee  The Americans have their own API/PNR program.

Public Safety committee  We don't have authorization to get the information any earlier than at time of departure. This is why we're seeking the amendment to section 107.1 to allow us to have the information in advance.

Public Safety committee  We receive the information. It's two packages of information. The API is your advance passenger information, page 2 of your passport: your name, your date of birth, and your particulars. The passenger name record is information about your travel. We take that information and we check against various Customs databases.

Public Safety committee  Essentially the privacy concerns come in that you are receiving information for all passengers coming into Canada, so between 22 million and 25 million passengers per year, without provocation or impetus behind receiving that information. So I haven't said “You are high risk, I need your information”: everyone starts out at the same level of risk.

Public Safety committee  The Privacy Commissioner's concerns are that we retain the information for a long period of time. We've evaluated that you've come in; why do we need the information for three and a half years? That's the current retention period for those packets of information.

Public Safety committee  It's the same way that the information is here.... I don't know if I should be commenting on the American system.

Public Safety committee  It is very similar to what the Americans do. The Americans receive the information pre-arrival. They're actually up to 96 hours pre-travel, whereas today we remain at time of departure. We're looking to align ourselves with them.

Public Safety committee  It's advance passenger information. I don't know whether he was referring to passenger manifests, but....

Public Safety committee  You are on the plane. You are pretty well ready for take-off. The information is set. The information, if not set before the plane taxis off...as soon as the plane is up in the air, maybe 20 minutes later, we have the information.

Public Safety committee  The easy answer to the question is that air mode is deemed to be a higher risk than land and marine. With land, it's not feasible to get advance information. Most people jump in their car, they want to drive over to the States to go shopping, it might be last-minute. It's not the same type of presentation of information to gain access to another country.

Public Safety committee  Future consideration.

Public Safety committee  It's done at the time of departure.

Public Safety committee  Air mode only.