CEO - Jacques Duchesneau

Welcome

Following the attacks of September 11th, 2001, Canada reviewed its policies and procedures, asking how it could do things better and make air travel safer.

In response to this question, the government created the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority – CATSA – of which I am proud to be President and CEO.

CATSA’s mission is to protect the public by securing critical elements of the air transportation system as assigned by the government, CATSA’s responsibilities include: pre-board screening of passengers and their belongings; acquisition, deployment, operation and maintenance of explosives detection systems at airports; contracting for RCMP policing services on selected flights and all flights to Reagan National Airport; implementation of a restricted area identification card; the screening of non-passengers entering airport restricted areas; and contributions for supplemental airport policing services.

CATSA is on the front line and plays a key role in protecting the public and ensuring the security of critical points in the air transportation system and to this end we work closely with Canadian and international security agencies.

In step with our partners, our business is to detect terrorist capabilities, deter them, react effectively to incidents, and recover from them so that we return to normal. Throughout, we are always learning. Security is always a work in progress. Our goal is to have an aviation security system that protects the public and wins their confidence.

We should not be under any illusions: the task will be hard and the road long, but I believe that it will be an easier and a shorter road if we travel it together.

Terror has become an unwelcome addition to our landscape - a challenge we did not invite but cannot ignore.

When it comes to fighting terrorism, we must not allow ourselves to be locked into yesterday’s paradigm, defending against yesterday’s attacks. Instead, we must be skilled chess players, seeing the board one move, two moves, many moves into the future, and using all of our resources—human and technological—to stay ahead of terrorists and their resolve to do harm.

That is the new reality of security in Canada and around the globe.

Sincerely,

Jacques Duchesneau, C.M.
President & CEO
CATSA