SCREENING OF
NON-PASSENGERS AT CANADIAN AIRPORTS
Canada has one of the safest and most secure air transportation systems in
the world - a system which is now safer as a result of actions taken by the
Government of Canada and the aviation community in response to ongoing security
concerns.
Transport Canada and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA)
have worked in close cooperation and consultation with stakeholders and partners
in the development of the non-passenger screening program. CATSA conducted pilot
programs in Calgary and Thunder Bay last year. Following this, the regulatory
framework was developed and the program is now being implemented at major
airports across Canada.
Under the program, CATSA will establish screening checkpoints at entrances to
restricted areas at major airports across Canada. Workers entering these areas
will be subject to security screening and will not be informed when checkpoints
will be activated. Non-passengers, such as airline personnel (including flight
crew), airport employees, refuelers, caterers, aircraft groomers, maintenance
personnel and ground handlers are subject to random screening. This program
encompasses all personnel (about 150,000) who are authorized to enter restricted
areas at major airports across the country.
Transport Canada established the regulatory framework for the screening
program. CATSA's role includes the administration of the program, training of
screening personnel and the purchase, deployment, operation and maintenance of
all screening equipment.
A federal Crown corporation, CATSA is accountable to the Minister of
Transport for the delivery of consistent, effective and professional service at
or above the standards set by Transport Canada regulations.
This new program, working together with Transport Canada's system of
background security clearances for airport workers, will help keep Canada at the
leading edge of civil aviation security.
This initiative is being funded from within CATSA's existing resources.
Security clearances for employees who work in restricted areas
A pilot program will be put in place in the near future at selected Canadian airports for the
implementation of a new, enhanced restricted area pass system that incorporates
the use of biometrics, such as finger printing. Once the pilot program is
complete, which is anticipated in spring 2004, it will be assessed to determine
which technologies best meet the needs of Transport Canada, CATSA, stakeholders
and users.
Since 1986, people applying for jobs located within restricted areas at
Canada's airports have undergone a rigorous program of background checks by
Transport Canada to determine whether they pose a threat to aviation security.
As a condition of employment, the suitability of each applicant is verified with
the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canadian Security Intelligence
Service (CSIS) before issuing security clearances for employees who work in
restricted areas.
This is the latest in a series of security enhancements taken by the
Government of Canada since the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States.
For more details on security enhancements on the transportation sector please
visit http://www.tc.gc.ca/majorissues/transportationsecurity/Actions.htm.
February 2004
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