(UPDATE: June 25 at 10:48 am): The CBSA has refused to provide information about the arrest of British political activist Tommy Robinson in Calgary on Monday.
In a statement sent to NowMedia, the agency said it "does not provide comment or details on specific individual cases" because that information "is considered private and protected by the Privacy Act."
Robinson himself has publicized his arrest, stressing that "none of this makes sense."
The CBSA did, however, provide NowMedia with general information about why a foreigner might be arrested in Canada.
"Admissibility of all travellers is decided based on the information made available at the time of entry and travellers must have documentation that provides details of the reason for their travel and any other information that may be relevant," the agency explained.
"If information comes to light that an individual who was granted entry to Canada may be inadmissible, the CBSA can launch an investigation and initiate appropriate enforcement action. Enforcement action may include the arrest and detention of an inadmissible individual, as authorized under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA)."
Robinson has said in videos since his arrest that he was interviewed at the border when he arrived in Canada and subsequently granted entry.
The CBSA added that "several factors" are considered before determining whether a foreigner should be permitted to remain in Canada.
Among those factors, the agency said, are criminal activity, human rights violations, involvement in organized crime, "misrepresenting themselves," use of fraudulent documentation and health or financial issues.
Robinson has been convicted of several crimes in the UK, including for contempt of court, assault and using another man's passport to enter the USA.
Writing on his X account this morning, Robinson said he is "waiting for them to take my passport," adding: "Someone somewhere is trying to work out what the hell to do with this internationally embarrassing situation they have created."
NowMedia has requested comment from Robinson.
(Original story: June 25 at 8:05 am): British political activist Tommy Robinson has been arrested in Calgary.
He was visiting the city to speak to an audience about freedom of speech and other topics.
His arrest, outside a hotel on Monday, was recorded on video.
Plainclothes officers can be heard telling Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Lennon, that he is being detained over an “outstanding immigration warrant.”
Uniformed Calgary Police Service officers can also be seen escorting Robinson into a car.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has been asked by NowMedia for comment. Calgary Police Service did not answer a call from NowMedia.
According to a video published by Rebel News’ Ezra Levant, Robinson was later released with conditions, including that he cannot leave Southern Alberta.
Robinson has worked with Rebel News in the past and was set to tour Canada – featuring appearances scheduled in Toronto and Edmonton – with the media company.
Among those to express outrage at his arrest was Albertan psychologist and author Jordan Peterson, who claimed on X that Canada’s police “are now being used directly as political agents of the state.”
He added: “What the hell was Tommy Robinson arrested for in Calgary? Not being a communist?”
Robinson, who has been convicted of numerous offences in his native England, has earned a certain amount of notoriety in the UK for his anti-Islam activism.
He has also been associated with soccer hooliganism and far-right politics during his life.
In a short video interview with Levant, he said he is visiting Canada for the first time.
Levant has appealed for donations to pay for a lawyer to defend Robinson.
Robinson, meanwhile, posted on X this morning that he is "not happy about this situation" and will be sending an invoice to Justin Trudeau for fillet steaks.
In another post, he said "none of this makes sense," adding: “I’m not even allowed to leave to travel home.”
