The Government of Canada has recently released a new guideline stating that police clearance certificates are no longer required for individuals entering the country as temporary residents, including those on study visas. This update is expected to benefit international students and temporary workers.
In response to inquiries raised by Indo-Canadian MP Arpan Khanna, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller explained that biometric verification, such as fingerprints, was previously used for security screening purposes, and police certificates from the applicants’ home countries were not routinely mandatory for temporary residents.
Minister Miller further highlighted that police certificates may only be requested for additional security screening if deemed necessary. He also expressed doubts regarding the reliability of such certificates and emphasized the government’s thorough screening process for student visa applicants, designed to prevent individuals with criminal records from entering the country.
This clarification comes amidst concerns about security checks on temporary residents, specifically international students, following the arrest of individuals allegedly involved in the murder of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar. It was revealed that at least two of the suspects had entered Canada as students, prompting questions about the screening process for temporary residents.
In response to criticism by the Minister of Foreign Affairs S Jaishankar, who questioned Miller’s decision to allow individuals from Punjab with criminal records into Canada, Miller defended the government’s screening practices and denied any allegations of carelessness in the application process. He emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to upholding the security and safety of Canada’s borders.
