My question is for our witnesses from Vancouver.
With regard to the right to withdraw from the preclearance process, let me offer two or three hypotheses. The person can change their mind. They could be under stress, have physical problems, feel threatened, and so forth. Regardless of the reason, the person can change their mind to avoid negative consequences. They might also suddenly be afraid to fly.
Regardless of the reason, how can a customs officer, who is responsible for the security of Canadians, whether on one side of the border or the other, know that it is not a test? The officer must be allowed to ask questions and talk to the person a bit.
When a person goes through customs and is sent to have their luggage searched along with a second interrogation, that causes a delay. It is not a detention, but rather a delay provided for in the law. Why is that interrogation not considered simply a delay? People do after all have to cooperate with the security work of customs officials.