Corporate Backgrounder

History

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) is a Crown corporation charged with protecting the public through effective and efficient screening of air travellers and their baggage.

CATSA was formed in response to the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. However, Canadian aviation security's roots go back further to the hijackings that became prevalent in the 1970s, which led to formal screening procedures being deployed by airlines and airport authorities at Canadian airports. At that point, Transport Canada and the Government of Canada played an oversight role but had no involvement in operations.

The tragic 1985 bombing of Air India flight 182 marked Canada's worst aviation-related terrorist attack to date. In response, Canada increased security measures at Canadian airports through the use of reconciled baggage. The regulatory framework for aviation security subsequently set forth by Transport Canada was much more strict and detailed.

On April 1, 2002, CATSA began operations.

The creation of a national public-sector organization implementing security at 89 of Canada's major airports ensured that it would be accountable to the public, while offering greater flexibility.

Transport Canada would remain the regulatory body, while CATSA would be responsible for key areas of aviation security as assigned by the Minister under the CATSA Act. This multi-layered system ensures checks and balances, keeping regulatory and operations separate.

CATSA's top priority is security. Prior to the enactment of the CATSA Act on April 1, 2002, airlines were responsible for pre-board screening, while Transport Canada oversaw their activities. With a national strategy in place, CATSA is now able to deploy a national approach, ensuring consistency in both operations and mandate. International networks have been established with counterparts world-wide, an endeavour that would have proved much more difficult given the previous set-up.

CATSA's responsibilities fall into six major areas:

• 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;
• Contributions for supplemental airport policing services.