Canada is increasingly employing immigration and border control measures to scrutinize and deny entry to individuals critical of Israeli policy and involved in Palestine advocacy. Recent incidents at Toronto Pearson Airport and elsewhere suggest a pattern of interrogations, visa revocations, and delayed travel authorisations for scholars, commentators, and former officials invited to speak at events.

The Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) reported that many international scholars invited to its annual convention faced "deliberate and coordinated" immigration scrutiny. This included delayed or cancelled electronic travel authorisations and revoked visas, with some individuals subjected to lengthy interrogations at the airport.

Among those affected were former South African ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, who drew parallels between Canadian airport questioning and apartheid-era interrogations. British commentator Anas Altikriti reportedly spent 11 hours being questioned before abandoning his entry attempt. These individuals had publicly criticised Israeli actions or advocated for Palestinian rights.

These cases follow similar incidents earlier this year. French Palestinian Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan was denied entry due to her criticism of Israel's war on Gaza. In November, former UN Special Rapporteur Richard Falk and his wife, Hilal Elver, were detained and interrogated at Toronto Pearson Airport before attending a tribunal on Canadian responsibility in Ottawa. Officials reportedly suggested they posed a threat to national security.

Falk described the episode as reflecting "a climate of governmental insecurity" and an effort "to clamp down on dissident voices." Critics argue that these actions, which involve delaying visas, intensifying interrogations, and invoking unspecified "security concerns," create an environment where dissent itself becomes viewed with suspicion.

This approach, critics contend, allows Canada to subtly manage the flow of ideas and opinions related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without outright bans. The pattern suggests a political strategy to mitigate perceived negative consequences arising from Canada's alliances.

While Canadian officials have not publicly detailed specific reasons for these denials or interrogations, the targeted individuals are consistently those who have voiced strong criticisms of Israeli government policies or advocated for Palestinian rights. The pattern raises questions about freedom of expression and the potential use of national security justifications to silence political dissent.

The incidents have drawn concern from human rights advocates who argue that such measures may stifle legitimate public discourse and international solidarity efforts. The long-term implications for Canada's commitment to open dialogue and human rights advocacy remain a subject of ongoing scrutiny.