As originally reported on AP News, Canada's public safety minister has promised to investigate the case of a six-year-old boy whose name appears to be on a travel security risk list. This is in response to a tweet sent out by the boy’s father, Sulemaan Ahmed, of a photo from Toronto's Pearson International Airport that appears to show his son’s name, Syed Adam Ahmed, with a DHP label and instructions on check in on a computer screen.
The father asked Air Canada in his tweet, "Why is our (Canadian born) 6 year old on DHP no fly list? He must clear security each time. He is 6.”
The father and son were flying on New Year's Eve to the NHL Winter Classic in Boston.
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said he's reviewing the case, and will update the family when he has all the details.
"Canadians expect their government to deliver on two vital imperatives - namely, keeping them safe while safeguarding their values and this country's fundamental character. That is our constant goal," Goodale said.
The boy's mother, Khadija Cajee, said the family has had to deal with the issue since Syed was a toddler. They’ve never been able to check their son in for flights online and have never been given a clear response from the airlines as to why their son has been singled out. Cajee assumes her son shares a name with someone who currently is on the list.
Cajee also said she's going to be meeting with her Member of Parliament, Jane Philpott, later this week to discuss the situation.
The boy and his father were both born in Canada, and Cajee's family came to the country from South Africa, fleeing apartheid, she said.
Representatives from Air Canada responded saying the airline “complies with the regulations of the countries in which we operate, including with respect to matters of security”.
Copyright 2016 - The Associated Press
