The Anti-terrorism Act and Security Measures: Public Views, Impacts and Travel

Experiences

Nicole Crutcher, Senior Research Officer

March 25, 2006

2

Custom Survey – March 2005

Methodology Compared visible minority and non-minority

responses Addressed five areas

Awareness and concern regarding terrorism Application of terrorism-related legislation Racial profiling Impact of legislation Travel experiences

3

Awareness and Concern

Most Canadians were concerned about terrorism but that the threat had been exaggerated

General approval for government action Only 1% could identify the Anti-terrorism Act (ATA) Most noticed government security measure change

was increased security at airports General interest in receiving more information

regarding the ATA – preferred methods for receiving information were household mailings and the Internet

4

Awareness and Concern

Statistically Significant Differences Government measure to increase security at

borders/airports Familiarity with the ATA Safeguards within the ATA Interest in more information

5

Application

Most felt the ATA was necessary Canada is safer because of the ATA Overwhelming support for law enforcement/security

officials to investigate in Canada and abroad

Statistically Significant Differences Necessity of the ATA Safer Canada Applied fairly

6

Racial Profiling

Familiarity with term “racial profiling” – stereotyping Screening for potential terrorist activity based on

race/ethnicity/religion is inappropriate Canada does not have an official policy Felt an individual targeted based on ethnic or racial background

would still get a fair trial, but racial profiling was seen to violate the Charter

20% of visible minority respondents indicated they had been racially profiled within the last 4 years

7

Racial Profiling

Statistically Significant Differences Stereotyping as racial profiling Canadian policy to racially profile Likelihood of getting a fair trial Racial profiling unofficially

8

Impact

Most have not been personally affected by post-9/11 measures, nor had their immediate families

Legislation has had little to no impact Law enforcement changes have had little to no impact Affected most by increased security at airports or

delays in travel

Statistically Significant Differences Security measures Immediate family

9

Travel Experiences

No significant differences between minority and non-minority respondents on any of these variables

Many had travelled over last 4 years Additional screening in 12% - 25% of sample Most common additional screening: property

searches, personal searchers Support for additional screening highest with air

travel, but overall, additional screening was deemed as justified

10

Conclusion

Public awareness of legislation is very low Concerns over application by visible minority respondents Racial profiling continues to be an issue but general

acknowledgement over Charter violation Impact of ATA appears to be limited Race/ethnicity used in targeting at borders appears unlikely

despite greater proportions indicating being affected by changes in security

More research is needed to look more closely at these issues