Originally Posted by
DillMan
This is also the case in almost all western airports when travelling internationally. There's tons of stuff in your luggage that could be problematic if you weren't re-screened. Also, as pointed out above, some airports aren't as good as Canada (the US, the UK, etc.) so re screening passengers ensures they are screened to the standards of the host country.
This is the correct answer.
The OP's question is not really properly phrased. Issue is not whether customs are is airside or landside. Passengers coming from outsde the country are supposed to be rescreened. This is simply policy.