Canada Eliminates Police Clearance Requirement for Temporary Residents

During a session of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, Indo-Canadian MP Arpan Khanna persistently questioned Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Marc Miller, regarding the necessity of police clearance certificates for temporary residents. In response, Minister Miller stated unequivocally, “I have never said such certificates are required for temporary residents.”

This statement marks a significant acknowledgment by the Canadian government that police clearance certificates are no longer a prerequisite for individuals entering the country as temporary residents, including those on study permits. Minister Miller elaborated that while the government conducts biometric verification, which involves fingerprint scans processed through partner and police databases, police certificates from the country of origin are not routinely demanded.

Miller emphasized that such certificates may only be required if an immigration officer deems them necessary as part of a cascading security screening process. He also questioned the reliability of these certificates, implying that they may not always provide accurate information.

The decision to abolish the police clearance requirement comes amid heightened scrutiny over security checks on temporary residents, particularly international students. This scrutiny intensified following revelations that at least two individuals implicated in the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar had entered Canada under this category.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar was murdered on June 18 in Surrey, British Columbia. Subsequently, four Indian nationals were arrested and charged in connection with his death. Two of the arrested individuals, Karan Brar and Karamdeep Singh, were confirmed to have arrived in Canada as students, while a third, Amandeep Singh, was reported to have studied in the country as well.

These developments prompted Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to criticize Canada for welcoming individuals with alleged organized crime links from Punjab. Jaishankar expressed concern that despite India’s warnings about such individuals, the Canadian government had not taken any action.

However, Minister Miller refuted Jaishankar’s claims, asserting that Canada maintains a rigorous screening process for student visa applicants, denying entry to those with criminal records. He assured that the Canadian government takes security concerns seriously and employs thorough measures to ensure the safety of its residents.

Overall, the abolition of the police clearance requirement for temporary residents represents a significant shift in Canada’s immigration policies, aiming to streamline entry procedures while maintaining robust security protocols.