Canada to fingerprint, photograph more travelers

Canada said Thursday it will try to catch suspected fraudsters, "terrorists" and Canadian returning from overseas conflicts by photographing and fingerprinting many more arriving at its airports.

The border screenings would be expanded to cover flights arriving from 150 countries, up from 29 now.

"For a pluralist country like Canada, one of the great trading nations of the world, borders must not be barriers," Prime Minister Stephen Harper said.

"They must be , effective filters. They must allow the movement of honest people and the vital goods and services that drive our lives and create jobs and opportunity.

"But prosperity without security is a fantasy. And no country can sustain its prosperity without the relentless of its borders."

The government earmarked Can$3126 million (US$2506 million) over five years to expand biometric screening to all foreign nationals, excluding US citizens, applying for work or study permits, permanent residency or tourist visas.

The tools allow Canadian authorities to confirm the identity of people entering the country.

Government sources told the daily Globe and Mail the biometrics program needed to be broadened to catch fraudsters who are getting around the current system by entering Canada through countries not on its target list.

It has also been used to nab known criminals seeking to re-enter Canada after having already been deported.

Harper also pledged increased funding for counterterrorism measures, and to help the Canada Revenue Agency and dismantle charitable organizations that fund "terrorist groups."