PM vows travel ban to terror hotspots

As candidates hit the campaign trail ahead of the upcoming federal election, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has pledged that if re-elected, to restrict Canadian travel to countries deemed as terrorism hotspots.

According to a report by the CBC, the PM made the announcement during a campaign stop in the Ottawa area yesterday afternoon. While no specific countries were named in the presentation, a Conservative party document provided to media in attendance indicated that parts of Syria and Iraq would likely be included on a list of “declared areas” which would be off-limits to Canadian travellers in an effort to combat recruitment of Canadians into extremist groups, such as ISIS. The PM said that while exceptions may be made for certain individuals such as journalists and aid workers, there are “few legitimate reasons” for most Canadians to visit these destinations, with the PM stating during the announcement that travel to such areas is “not a human right,” the CBC said.

Both NDP leader Tom Mulcair and Liberal leader Justin Trudeau were dismissive of the announcement, the report said, with the opposition leaders questioning the timing of such an announcement as the PM faces inquiries over the state of the Canadian economy and the ongoing Mike Duffy trial.