Canadian Press
Winnipeg — The head of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce was arrested at the Winnipeg International Airport on Tuesday after a security guard overheard a man say someone was carrying a bomb. About 2 p.m., a man was going through security to have his carry-on luggage checked, Winnipeg police duty inspector Wally Kosarych said. "Somebody in line he knew said 'I'm a diplomat' and then (the first man) said 'He's also got a bomb strapped to him,'" Insp. Kosarych said. The security guard called police and the first man was taken away and searched. No bomb was found. Doug Robson, chief operating officer of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, is facing charges of mischief and interference of enjoyment of property, Insp.
Kosarych said.
He was released on a promise to appear in court in Winnipeg in November. Mr. Robson was returning to Toronto after the annual meeting of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, which wrapped up Tuesday in Winnipeg.
Lyn Book, spokeswoman for the Winnipeg Airport Authority, said the airport authority takes all such incidents seriously. "It's heightened security at the airport now and people have to take that seriously," Ms. Book said. "Safety and security is our No. 1 priority."
Two people were also arrested in Alberta and Manitoba earlier this week after allegedly making jokes about having bombs in their luggage.
A 52-year-old Montreal woman was charged at the Edmonton International Airport on Monday after she said she was carrying a bomb in her jacket and another in her bag.
"That is not a time and place for levity or jokes," said RCMP Cpl. Steve Marissink. "In light of the recent tragic events, people are a little more sensitive to these issues, although this matter would have been treated the same way (nine) days ago."
Another woman was charged Monday in Thompson, Man., after allegedly telling security staff who were checking her bags that she had a bomb in her luggage. The woman had been getting ready to board a flight to Winnipeg.
In both cases the luggage and the women were searched and no devices were found.
The Manitoba woman is facing charges of uttering threats and mischief. The Montreal woman is facing charges under the Aeronautics Act for violating Canadian Aviation Security regulations, which prohibit making false declarations about explosive devices.
The Montreal woman said her comments, made before boarding during screening, were meant as a joke. In addition to the charges, she missed her flight and was banned from the carrier's aircraft until her case in heard in
October in provincial court in Leduc, Alta.