New office established to help with no-fly list headaches

The Canadian government announced Friday that it will be opening an office to assist travelers who have falsely been placed on the no-fly list.

No one is happier to hear this news more than Khadija Caje.

“One time we were delayed 30 minutes, and our passports were actually confiscated in Mexcio,” she tells CityNews.

The Markham mother says, she’s struggled to get her seven year old son Adam Ahmed off the list that’s intended for dangerous or threatening people.

“I’m okay with having to deal with this burden for him now, because he’s young, I can fight for him,” Caje explains. “I worry for when he gets older, what impact it’ll have on him when he wants to travel.”

Canada’s Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness announced the launch of the new Passenger Protect Inquiries Office, which would put in place a system where travelers on the no-fly list would apply and be assigned a number. That number in turn, would clear their names ahead of their travels.

“Eliminating false positives in airport security screening is complex, but we are committed to a long-term solution through a domestic redress system. As we work towards that goal, we are taking steps to problem-solve and help those who have been affected, while at the same time ensuring that aviation security remains strong and effective in keeping Canadians safe,” Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness said in a statement.

The Ministry adds that due to the changes needed to be made to the system, implementing this process could take up to 18 months.

“I’m cautiously optimistic,” Caje said. “We already went on-line and applied for him, so we’ll see how it works.”

The family will put this new system to the test when they go on their next trip this summer.