Counter-Terrorism and Transportation

Canada's transportation infrastructure extends over approximately 9 million square kilometres and includes almost 1 million kilometres of road, 50,000 kilometres of rail lines, 646 certified airports, and more than 300 commercial ports and harbours. The Government of Canada, and in particular Transport Canada, has taken steps to improve the safety and security of Canada's transportation system.

Even before the horrifying terrorist attacks of September 11, Canada had one of the safest aviation systems in the world. Our aviation security system meets or exceeds the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices, and ranks among the best in the world.

Canada has also demonstrated that it can act decisively in the face of terrorist threats. Even as the devastating events were unfolding, the Government of Canada took immediate and resolute action. Canada took on the huge logistical task of accepting 226 aircraft carrying more than 33,000 passengers diverted from their destinations.

In the weeks that followed, Transport Canada announced a number of new aviation security enhancements including: requiring that all cockpit doors be locked for the duration of flights; allotting $55.7 million for the purchase and distribution of advance explosives detection systems; deploying additional security inspectors to airports across the country; providing $750,000 for an analysis of advanced and evolving security practices and technologies for airport security operations; and working with the RCMP to implement a program of RCMP officers on board selected domestic and international flights.

A full range of new procedures to enhance security operations at Canada's airports was announced in October 2001. These procedures included increased passenger screening, more rigorous baggage inspections, increased police presence at major airports, as well as heightened security both inside airport terminals and outside on the tarmac.

In 2002, Canada is President of the G8, a forum of the world's eight most industrialized states. Among the areas of aviation security being addressed by the G8 are issues such as: sharing flight data on suspected terrorists among G8 member states; working towards minimum standards for information provided by airlines; and ensuring coordinated legal and technical support for the forthcoming review by ICAO of international aviation security conventions, and of the standards and recommended practices.

These changes do not represent an end to our efforts. Rather, they are part of an ongoing process to keep Canada's transportation system, and ultimately, all citizens, safe.

For more information on the federal government's dedication to keeping Canadians and all citizens safe, whether on land, sea or in the skies, please visit Transport Canada's site: Fighting Terrorism in Canada.