My question is about security and about items that are allowed through the checkpoint. Are the rules less strict now in 2011 than they were in 2006 and 2008?
In the document that we were given this morning, I can see that in 2006 and 2008, the following items were prohibited: ice skates, duct tape, metal handcuffs, tie wraps, that today are often used by security guards, even by police officers, and that are used instead of handcuffs at times.
According to this document, these items are currently allowed through the checkpoint with your boarding pass and passport, in other words these items are allowed on board. When a 20-strong hockey team boards a plane, there are 20 pairs of skates. If a team of 20 figure skaters board a plane, there are just as many skates on board.
I do not understand this because in Labrador City and in Wabush, I almost had to undergo a strip search because I had two lighters in my pants pocket. I had to take off my shoes, my socks, my shirt and my jacket. I only had my pants on when I went through because of two lighters in my pocket. That's number one.
Second, I would like to understand the percentage of individuals: does 1 individual out of 10 get searched, 2 out of 10, or 3 out of 20, regardless of why? If you are the 12th individual, you are the one who will be searched.
I will give you an example. I am not someone who takes a plane very often, but I do at times. At the checkpoint in Baie-Comeau, the same thing more or less happened to me. I had to take my shoes off, my jacket, go through four or five times, go out, come back, because of their security measures. Unfortunately, there were no men available to conduct a strip search; there were only two women that morning at the checkpoint. That is why I was not strip searched. I had to do everything at the checkpoint, I delayed everyone, and then the checkpoint officers apologized and told me that even though they had known me for a long time, even though they knew I was a member of Parliament, I was the individual assigned to a search. If that individual was the 10th individual, then that was me. It happened to be me. The 20th individual was also searched.
Why is that? If you have any doubts about people, I agree, and it makes me feel safer. When I board a plane, I feel safe because I know that there is a checkpoint and things are done properly. But 1 individual out of every 10? The 8th individual gets a free pass but the 10th individual does not, even though they do not have anything on them. They are just checked because according to the standards, the 10th individual has to be searched. If you happen to be number 10, then you are just about strip searched.
I was not strip searched in Baie-Comeau. I was told I would have had to go into the room, but because there were only two women, and because I am a man and there were no men there that morning... They apologized but they explained that this had happened because I was the 10th individual. I was told that. I was the number that had to be searched. I don't understand: because I had two lighters in my pocket—at the time I used to smoke—I was almost strip searched.
They go as far as removing toothpaste tubes. I have seen that at the checkpoint. And yet, 20 pairs of skates, duct tape, metal handcuffs and tie wrap are allowed on board. For goodness' sake!
It is rather difficult to understand this document. Has there been a relaxing of security in 2011, compared to 2006 and 2008? If so, I feel less safe.
