Extra airport security screening for under-18s not needed, public safety minister says

Following reports abouttoddlers who have been flagged on no-fly lists, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodalesays airlines shouldn't subject anyone under the age of 18 to additional security-screening measures.

"Public Safety Canada officials have now contacted air carriers to clarify the application of the existing Secure Air Travel Regulations, emphasizing to them that additional security screening validation is not required for individuals under the age of 18," Goodale said in a written statement Thursday evening.

"We have heard the concerns of those who have gone through additional security screening that this situation can cause confusion and feelings of stigmatization," Goodale said.

• No-fly list flags more Canadian toddlers as security risks

• Markham boy, 6, on no-fly list, parents say

• Canada's no-fly list is 'very mysterious' and leaves targets little recourse, say critics

• Whitby, Ont., man separated from wife, kids in Pakistan due to no-fly list

Goodalealso said his department is exploring possibleamendments to regulations that would make it easier to differentiatepeople who have similar or the same names as others listed on the no-fly list. The minister said his department"is committed to public consultations" on the program.

Kids on no-fly list

The statement comes after Goodalepromised to review the case of asix-year-old Markham, Ont., boy named Syed Adam Ahmed, whose parents say has been flagged on a no-fly list since he was a toddler.

His father, Sulemaan Ahmed, snapped a picture on an airport computer screen showing his son had been flagged on what's known as a "deemed high profile" list when he tried to take himto the NHL Winter Classic game between the Canadiens and Bruinson New Year's Day in Boston.

Since then, the parents of two other Canadian-born boys both underthree years old have come forward saying their children are on no-fly lists and have faced airport security delays as a result.

Ahmed, and his wife, KhadijaCajee,said they never got a straight answer from staff at the Transportand Public Safety departments about exactly what list their son might be on or whether he is even on it.

Instead, it was an Air Canada agent who tipped them off when Adam was just a toddler, his mother said.

Canada's no-fly list, officially called the Passenger Protect Program, is maintainedby Public Safety Canada.

The government created the first no-fly list in 2007, partly in response toU.S. security concerns about Canadianflights passing throughAmerican airspace, University of Victoria political science professor Colin Bennett told CBC News this week.

Public Safety acknowledges on itswebsitethat "passengers who have the same name (or similar name) as a person listed under the Passenger Protect Program" may experience delays at check-in.

It's unclear what implicationsGoodale'sstatement about additional security measures would have for children on "deemed high profile" lists.

Blurred line between security and personal liberties

In a statement issued Thursday, the family of Adam Ahmed said they met with Markham-Stouffville's MP, Health Minister Jane Philpott, who told them she brought their concerns toGoodale.

Last night, the family tweeted both thatGoodalehad contacted them directlyabout their concerns and that they "are happy to provide any assistance to find resolution."

"It has been frustrating to see the line between national security and personal liberties blurred over time and to see this issue impact so many families," Ahmed andCajee said in the statement.

"We are heartened to have personal support from a cabinet minister who is taking this issue very seriously, and we look forward to keeping in touch with her about it and following up on the progress into the investigation," they added.

They also saidthey've received no response from Air Canada.