Conservative Government Could Facilitate Terrorists' Entry into Canada

Canada's coastline could become the easiest point-of-entry for terrorists if CETA becomes a reality

MONTREAL, Jan. 9, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Seafarers International Union of Canada is today raising the alarm to inform Canadians that the Maritime provisions of the Canadian-European Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) could result in an open door of entry for terrorists, as well as create other security threats.

Under CETA, foreign owned and crewed vessels would gain more access to Canadian Cabotage; meaning they would be free to trade between Canadian Ports, something previously reserved for Canadian flagged and Canadian crewed vessels only.

Canadian seafarers must go through vigorous police background checks before seeking employment on a Canadian vessel- this insures both security and safety.  Once CETA opens Canadian waters to foreign vessels and crews, we will lose control of who is coming in to Canada.  This is the reality that we face.  Are we ready for the possibility of a terrorist sneaking onto a vessel as a crew member for easy access into Canada?  Opening our waters, and subsequently our land, to foreign seafarers is reckless for Canada's safety, especially in the wake of recent terrorist acts, including most recently in Paris, France.

The Union is calling on the Federal Government to reverse the Maritime provisions contained in CETA and to ensure that the Cabotage Laws are not touched; therefore, insuring the safety and security of all Canadians and our coastline.  Together we can avoid and stop any potential threats to Canada.

About the Seafarers' International Union of Canada: A Sailors' Union by Sailors for the benefit of Sailors.  The Seafarers' International Union of Canada has been serving unlicensed seafarers since 1938 and is affiliated with the Seafarers' International Union of North America, presently representing 60,000 unlicensed seafarers across the continent. The most important sailors' union in Canada, the Seafarers' International Union, better known as the S.I.U., represents the majority of unlicensed sailors working aboard vessels on the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River, on the East Coast and the West Coast and in the Arctic.  In addition to vessels operated in Canadian waters, S.I.U. members also have the opportunity to work aboard vessels delivering cargoes in the United States, Europe and South America.

SOURCE Seafarers' International Union of Canada