RCMP stops using ‘inappropriate’ screening document aimed at Muslims

A spokesman for Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale says an RCMP questionnaire that singled out Muslim asylum seekers has been deemed inappropriate and taken out of circulation.

The questionnaire was used at the Quebec border crossing that saw an influx of thousands of asylum seekers from the U.S. this summer.

Among other things, the questionnaire asked opinions about freedom of religious practice, head coverings associated with Muslim women and terrorist groups with mainly Muslim members.

A copy of the questionnaire was given to The Canadian Press by Toronto lawyer Clifford McCarten.

Public Safety Spokesman Scott Bardsley says the department was immediately concerned when it learned of the document because some questions were inappropriate and not consistent with government policy.

Bardsley says the RCMP has suspended use of the questionnaire.

MONTREAL Environmental groups say what is believed to be the first shipment of genetically modified salmon in Canada likely ended up on the plates of Quebec consumers.

An investigation by three groups found that 4.5 metric tonnes of the genetically modified fillets were shipped from Panama to Quebec.

They used federal government import statistics to match claims by U.S.-based company AquaBounty Technologies it sold the product between April and June of this year.

Panama is the only place the company produces genetically modified salmon.

Thibault Rehn of Montreal group Vigilance OGM says it’s unclear who ended up purchasing the salmon as most major grocery stores told the groups they weren’t selling the fillets at their seafood counters.

Environmental groups say consumers have a right to know what they are eating.

Health Canada doesn’t require labelling on genetically modified food, saying the items have been assessed for safety and nutritional standards.

AquaBounty, which has a production plant in P.E.I., has not said where the salmon was sold.