OTTAWA—Canada will gain some enhanced powers under the new perimeter security deal with the United States.Canada will get more power to track unemployment insurance recipients who skip the country.
They’ll also have greater power to monitor landed immigrants who don’t spend enough time here to meet residency requirements.
A former Canadian diplomat who has spoken with those who negotiated the deal says the increased muscle will come with a $1-billion price tag.
Colin Robertson, an ex-diplomat who has served in Washington, says a new entry-exit system for people crossing the border will be a key feature of the deal.
The deal is to be announced on Wednesday when Prime Minister Stephen Harper travels to the White House.
The federal government doesn’t keep track of who actually leaves Canada.
But the U.S. has been pressing Ottawa for years to start collecting that data as an added security measure.
The issue is contentious because some critics argue it poses a threat to Canadian sovereignty.
Origin
Source: Toronto Star
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