The zealous airport security screening of a Canadian government minister wearing a turban last year led Ottawa to file a diplomatic protest with Washington, his office said Thursday.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Bains is a devout Sikh.
After a meeting with Michigan state Governor Rich Scyder and other officials in April 2017, Mr Bains arrived at Detroit Metro Airport - and even though he had already cleared the metal detector and screening tests, he was pressed to remove his turban.
In a statement released earlier today, Mr Bains said he is proud to represent the Sikh community.
"As a Sikh, wearing the turban is considered one of the most dutiful acts for a person of faith, and I am proud to represent my community - unfortunately these types of incidents do occur from time to time, to minorities in particular," he said.
"But it should never become the norm. I will continue to promote diversity and inclusion across the country - this is exactly why I ran for office."
The minister's spokesman Karl Sasseville explained to AFP that the minister did not immediately reveal his government position in order to see how things play out for ordinary people in such circumstances.
But when a security guard caught up to him at the gate and asked him to return for yet more screening, he pulled out his diplomatic passport and was allowed to board his flight.
Ottawa verbally protested to Washington over the incident, and received an apology.
US authorities also ordered Detroit airport security staff to undergo further training.
The US Transportation Security Administration passed new regulations in 2007 allowing Sikhs to keep their turban when passing security checks at airports.
Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said she felt it was important to voice Ottawa's concerns about the way Mr Bains was treated in order to "support all Canadians travelling across the border."
