REPORT TO MINISTER OF TRANSPORT 
MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF CATSA UNIFORMS

We are concerned with the recent media attention relating to management and control of CATSA uniforms and wish to provide you with the following report on this matter. As the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, we strive to ensure that security is paramount at all times and would like to assure you that we take this issue very seriously.

In order that you are fully apprised of the situation regarding parts of CATSA uniforms that our contract service providers have reported either lost or stolen, we would like to supply you with factual information regarding this matter as well as the actions that CATSA has taken to effectively manage our uniform program.

Pursuant to a request under the Access to Information Act for records concerning any stolen or unaccounted airport security uniforms, CATSA has issued a response, detailing all uniform items that have been reported either lost or stolen by screening officers from January 1, 2004 to September 17, 2004.

CATSA issues 20 uniform pieces to each screening officer. There are currently approximately 4,000 screening officers who have been issued uniforms. During the period covered by the access to information request, approximately 75,000 uniform items had been issued to screening officers. A total of 1127 uniform items had been reported lost or stolen. This includes 639 name tags bearing only the first name of the screening officer, 130 plain navy blue clip-on ties, 84 shoulder boards, 23 pairs of navy blue cargo pants, 17 navy blue belts and 8 pairs of black steel-toe shoes.

Please note that none of the above mentioned items bear the CATSA logo and the name tags, shoulder boards and clip-on ties, which make up the bulk of these items, would normally be considered consumables to the program and not tracked in inventory.

Our uniform supplier maintains a database of all uniform articles. Service providers are required to file specific reports for each article reported lost or stolen. The distribution of misplaced items is consistent with the screening officer population and is not concentrated in any specific location. The only complete uniform reported missing was as a result of a house fire.

Included in the total of 1127 items, there are 226 items that bear the CATSA logo. This includes 91 shields, 78 shirts, 32 windbreakers and 25 sweaters. The shields in question are not identified to any particular screening officer but rather are generic symbols promoting CATSA’s presence.

Although these items bear the CATSA logo, they are not to be considered objects of accreditation allowing access to restricted areas of airports. A valid restricted area pass is required of all screening officers accessing the restricted area. The restricted area pass is issued by the airport authority only after Transport Canada has granted a security clearance to the screening officer. All screening officers have been reminded of the requirement to visibly display their restricted area pass on their outer clothing when entering or within a restricted area. A daily verification of compliance is required of service providers as a complement to the enforcement activities of Transport Canada inspectors and the airport authorities.

Additionally, all screening officers are issued certification cards which clearly identify the individual as a CATSA certified screening officer. Updated smart cards are currently being issued across Canada and serve as identification in addition to the restricted area pass.

CATSA is undertaking an internal audit of the current uniform program and existing controls. CATSA will be taking appropriate action to ensure any issues identified by the audit are properly addressed. CATSA undertakes to keep you fully apprised of the results of this internal audit.

CATSA's contracts with service providers clearly outline the service provider's responsibilities concerning the management of the CATSA uniform. CATSA issued a Bulletin to service providers on November 17, 2004 emphasizing their contractual obligation to properly control uniform items issued for their employees. A further Bulletin has been issued to all service providers reminding them of their obligation to check accreditation documents prior to the start of each shift. The management of the CATSA uniform is a component of our service providers' performance measurement program and they are required to report in accordance with our inventory control requirements.

It was alleged during a CBC broadcast on December 3, 2004 that CATSA uniform items were being offered for sale on E-Bay, an on-line auction website. CATSA has researched this information and has found no indication that any uniform items are being offered for sale on this website. Furthermore, CATSA has no information that this activity has ever taken place in the past.

While CATSA appreciates the necessity of effectively managing our uniform program, we take pride in the level of security we offer the travelling public and are taking steps to correct any real or perceived deficiencies in the management of our uniform program. In consideration of the multiple layers of security that protect our air transportation system, we believe there are adequate safeguards in place to ensure the excellent level of air transport security in Canada.

We trust this report and the actions we are undertaking will adequately respond to your concerns and ensure the security of the travelling public.