

The Canadian Press





MONTREAL - A human rights lawyer is raising concern about the federal government's plan to strip Canadian passports of those suspected of travelling abroad to join extremist groups.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada has confirmed it is "revoking and refusing passports to those going abroad to take part in terrorist activities."

Lorne Waldman, the head of the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, says he's worried the government might use its powers arbitrarily.

Waldman likened the practice to Canada's secretive no-fly list, which civil liberties groups have argued violates the right to due process.

In the case of passport revocation, Waldman says there are at least legal avenues available for people to appeal such a decision through the courts.

But he said there should be assurances that power is used fairly by Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander.