Q1. What is the Government of Canada doing to provide a safe transportation system for Canadians?

The Government of Canada is committed to protecting the safety and security of Canada’s entire transportation system. Transport Canada constantly looks at all modes of transport to ensure appropriate security measures are in place and will consider all reasonable actions to enhance the safety and security of the transportation system. The department also works on security issues with other federal departments and agencies, international organizations and foreign governments.

Q2. What is the Government of Canada doing to enhance the safety and security of the air transportation system?

Canada has always had one of the safest and most secure air transportation systems in the world. This system is even stronger now thanks to actions taken by the Government of Canada and its partners in the aviation community to enhance the safety and security of our aviation regime.

Among other things, the government committed $2.2 billion to enhance Canada's air security. Of these funds, more than $1 billion is for the use of advanced explosives detection systems at Canadian airports covering 99 per cent of all passengers in Canada. The government also created the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority to look after several key aviation security services, including enhanced pre-board screening, the Canadian Air Carrier Protective Program (which places RCMP officers on board selected domestic and international flights), development of an enhanced restricted area pass system for Canadian airports and screening of non-passengers entering restricted areas at airports.

The government also introduced new legislation, known as the Public Safety Act, to strengthen its ability to improve the safety of Canadians, to prevent terrorist attacks and to respond quickly if significant threats should arise. For example, the government could make regulations to establish restricted areas within aircraft and airports.

More on air transportation security 

Q3. What has the government done to enhance the safety and security of the marine transportation system?

The Government of Canada continues to build on its commitment to strengthen marine security. A $300 million, five-year package of initiatives designed to further enhance the security of Canada’s marine transportation system and maritime borders was unveiled on April 22, 2005. Details of the package of initiatives can be found in the New marine security initiatives release and backgrounder.

This package adds to the $308 million that was announced for the National Security Policy’s six-point program for marine security in April 2004 and the $115 million Marine Security Contribution Program announced in May 2004.

Read the latest news releases and speeches for up-to-minute information on marine security.

More on marine transportation security.

Q4. What is the government doing to enhance the safety and security of the surface transportation system?

Action has been taken to enhance security at strategic locations such as bridges and tunnels. Intelligent Transportation Systems, which include applications such as advanced systems for emergency response management, are being deployed across the country. And the Government of Canada is working closely with the provinces, territories and intelligence and law enforcement authorities to monitor and assess security-related concerns.

To enhance safety and security surrounding the transport of dangerous goods, Transport Canada inspectors provide security awareness briefings to all operators handling dangerous goods who hold Emergency Response Plans (ERAP). The department has also requested that provincial and territorial inspectors verify the validity of drivers’ licenses whenever they inspect a truck transporting dangerous goods for which an ERAP is required. Transport Canada also works with other departments and agencies involved in inspecting the transportation of dangerous goods (e.g., National Resources Canada, Environment Canada, Health Canada and Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission).

In the rail sector, the security of passenger rail transportation has been enhanced at critical locations and facilities. And Transport Canada works closely with the Railway Association of Canada on improving and testing security and emergency plans, the exchange of information and incident reporting.

More on surface transportation security and transportation of dangerous goods security.

Q5. What is the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority responsible for?

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority is responsible for the provision of several key aviation security services in Canada, including:

• pre-board screening of passengers and their belongings;
• certification of screening officers;
• purchase, deployment, maintenance and operation of explosives detection systems;
• federal contributions toward airport policing related to civil aviation security;
• working with the RCMP on the Canadian Air Carrier Protective Program - a program that places officers on board selected international and domestic flights;
• developing an enhanced restricted area pass system for Canadian airports; and
• screening of non-passengers entering restricted areas at airports.

Q6. What can and cannot be taken on board passenger flights?

Any item that can be used as a weapon is not allowed on board passenger flights. Transport Canada has created a list of items that passengers are not allowed to take on flights. Screening authorities retain the right to refuse any additional items they perceive as a possible threat to the security of air travel.

Electronic devices such as laptop computers and cell phones are permitted on board aircraft, but they should be in working order as you may be required to turn them on. And passengers should never wrap gifts, as security staff may need to inspect them.

Q7. Did the Government of Canada offer any kind of compensation to Canadian air carriers to alleviate the impact of September 11, 2001?

Transport Canada provided $160 million to compensate eligible Canadian air carriers and specialty air operators for losses resulting from the closure of Canada’s airspace following the terrorist attacks on the United States.

In addition, the government continues to provide an indemnity for third party aviation war risk liability. This is in response to the withdrawal of war risk coverage from the aviation sector by the world’s commercial insurers following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Q8. What is the Air Travellers Security Charge?

The Air Travellers Security Charge is a charge added to the price of an airline ticket to pay for enhanced aviation security, including pre-board screening and the certification of screening officers by CATSA, the installation of advanced explosives detection systems at airports covering 99 per cent of passenger traffic, the Canadian Air Carrier Protective Program - a program of armed RCMP officers on board selected domestic and international flights, the implementation of an enhanced restricted area pass system and screening of non-passengers entering restricted areas at airports.

Effective March 1, 2003, the charge for a one-way domestic flight is $7. The charge for a transborder flight is $12, and the charge for any other international flight is $24.

Link to Department of Finance's Federal Budget 2005 highlights on the Air Travellers Security Charge: http://www.fin.gc.ca/budget05/bp/bpa7e.htm

Q9. With these enhanced aviation security measures in place, how long in advance should I check-in at the airport?

The situation will vary from airport to airport. Please check with your airline well in advance of departing for the airport, and confirm that your flight is scheduled and on time.