PM confirms biometric testing for visa travellers

CTVNews.ca Staff , Published Thursday, June 4, 2015 12:01PM EDT , Last Updated Thursday, June 4, 2015 12:17PM EDT, Source

The federal government is expanding biometric testing to all people entering Canada who require a visa.

At an event in Toronto on Thursday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced “significant funding” to expand the use of biometric screening at Canadian borders.

Travellers from nearly 30 countries are already required to undergo biometric security checks. But as CTV News reported on Wednesday, the policy change will see an additional 148 nations added to the list.

Biometrics can involve a series of physiological measures, including fingerprinting, facial recognition, hand geometry, iris recognition, and retinal scans.

The screenings will take place before a person enters Canada, and will only apply to foreign nationals who require visas to visit Canada.

Harper also announced an increase in resources for the Canada Revenue Agency to identify and shut down charities that fund terror groups.

The prime minister also said that the government is committing “substantial” new resources to CSIS to combat terrorism.