IMEDA Presents: Security Vs. Immigration - Changes, Policies and Practices in Post 9/11 Canada

Online, August 8, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, national security is a genuine concern for every Canadian. With over a quarter of a million new immigrants entering as permanent residents every year since 1990 as a mechanism to bolster Canada's economic growth plans, it is vital to ensure that thorough security screening takes place and that these measures work. Yet there is a shroud of mystery around Canada's security policies and how they are implemented.

Three of Canada's leading authorities on Canadian security and immigration issues headline this event. Best-selling author of "Inside Canadian Intelligence" and former military intelligence operative, Dwight Hamilton will join James Bissett, a long time public servant and former Canadian Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Albania, to lead the discussion and debate on the present state of security in Canada. Elda Paliga, a former Canadian senior intelligence analyst and previous Director of various departments of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, will supply a practical perspective on the security screening process performed by the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS). "This level of screening by CSIS is not a random event. If an immigration applicant is requested to attend a security interview, CSIS already has information that is cause for a security concern." says Ms. Paliga. "Interviewees need to be 100% ready to address absolutely everything about their past."

Can concern for human rights and the Canadian policy of using immigration to improve Canada's global competitiveness conflict with protecting the security of our citizens? "Canada's open door immigration policy is the Trojan horse of international terrorism," says Dwight Hamilton. "The fact that one of the VIA Rail terror suspects had been in Canada for 20 years and we failed to deport him, despite his many criminal convictions, underscores the need for immediate action with Canada's lax immigration policies."

Held at the University of Toronto, Hart House, this 4 hour seminar takes place on Wednesday, September 11. Registration is required at a cost of $110. This event is open to all members of the public. Online registration is available at http://www.imeda.ca. IMEDA seminars are accredited for Continuing Professional Development hours by the Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC) and the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC). For more information please contact Katarina Onuschuk at Katarina@imeda.ca or 416-383-1856.