Canadian Air Transport Security Authority

This month, Transport Minister David Collenette assigned two additional responsibilities to CATSA:

The implementation of an enhanced restricted area pass system for Canadian airports;
The screening of non-passengers entering restricted areas at airports.

CATSA's initial mandate included the implementation of:

face="Arial" size="2">pre-board screening at airports across the country, including the training and certification of screening officers;
face="Arial" size="2">security equipment at airports, including the purchase, deployment, operation and maintenance of new explosives detection systems;
face="Arial" size="2">working with the RCMP on the Canadian Air Carrier Protective Program which assigns officers on board selected domestic and international flights; and
face="Arial" size="2">providing funding to support increased policing at airports.

Transport Canada and CATSA will work in partnership with industry stakeholders on the development and implementation of this enhanced system.

Please see our website at http://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca for more details

CATSA CEO Appears Before the Standing Committee on National Security and Defence

On November 25, CATSA appeared before the Standing Committee on National Security and Defence. CATSA's CEO, Jacques Duchesneau, delivered a speech highlighting CATSA's mandate and responsibilities. Mark Duncan, Vice-President of Operations and Mike Baker, Vice-President of Corporate Management, appeared alongside our CEO. For a complete version of the speech, you can visit our website. For more information on the Standing Committee on National Security and Defence, you can visit their website at:

http://www.parl.gc.ca/37/2/parlbus/commbus/senate/com-e/defe-e/04eva-e.htm

CATSA Moving to a New Location

Next month, CATSA will be moving to a new location in Ottawa. Our new address is:

Interview with CATSA's Vice-President of Operations, Mark Duncan, on our new enhancements

CATSA NEWS Editor Marianne Keriakos interviewing Mark Duncan, Vice-President, Operations

CN: What is the Enhanced Restricted Area Pass System for airport employees and non-passengers?

MD: The Enhanced Restricted Area Pass System is one of two new enhancements Transport Minister Collenette added this month to CATSA's mandate. CATSA and TC will work in partnership with stakeholders on this enhanced pass system. The system will use databanks that will enable CATSA and airport authorities to verify, cancel, and track down restricted area passes. The program will incorporate the use of biometric technologies such as iris recognition as well as fingerprint/hand scan and facial recognition systems, some of which are now in place in several airports in this
country.

CN: What is the Expanded and Enhanced Random Screening Program for airport employees and other non-passengers at airports?

MD: The Expanded and Enhanced Random Screening Program is the second enhancement to CATSA's mandate. The program will mean that personnel with valid restricted area passes, entering restricted areas at airports across the country, will be subject to random screening.

CN: Who is considered a non-passenger at the airport?

MD: Non-passengers include flight crews and other airline personnel, airport employees, refuelers, caterers, aircraft groomers, maintenance personnel and so on.

CN: Is there presently any screening of non-passengers entering restricted areas?

MD: There are currently security provisions in place regarding restricted areas. This new initiative will see the expansion of screening of non-passengers and the items they bring into restricted areas.

CN: Why do airport workers and non-passengers have to be screened if they already must apply and qualify for a restricted area pass? Does Transport Canada now consider non-passengers to be a potential threat?

MD: Transport Canada believes that protecting the integrity of restricted areas in airports and the security of aircraft is a key element of aviation security. This new initiative builds on existing verification of persons and goods entering aircraft and restricted areas, and will result in a fair, equitable and effective layer of security in addition to the already stringent requirements that have been in place for some time.

CN: What are CATSA's responsibilities regarding the enhancements?

MD: CATSA, working with airport authorities, will be responsible for developing and maintaining the databanks and for conducting the screening of non-passengers entering restricted areas through random checks. CATSA's role will include the administration of the program, training of screening personnel, and the purchase, deployment and maintenance of all screening equipment.

CN: When will these two initiatives be implemented?

MD: There are a number of determining factors which affect the timing of implementation. This includes consultation with stakeholders, developing the regulatory requirements, the purchase and deployment of necessary equipment at airports, and the training and certification of screening personnel.

CN: How is CATSA preparing to take over the two new enhancements?

MD: CATSA is working with Transport Canada and particularly with Canadian airports to get the new enhancements underway. Much of the framework is in place. Details are currently being discussed.

CN: Thank you Mr. Duncan

MD: You're welcome.

ATAC Conference

This month was Air Transport Association of Canada's Annual General Meeting and Tradeshow and CATSA was there! ATAC's program included a speech by CATSA Chairman Brian Flemming and tradeshows in which CATSA participated. Our booth featured a demonstration of a new trace machine by Pre-Board Screening Officer Katie Veness. CATSA thanks Katie for her great enthusiasm and energy in helping make our presentation a success. ATAC's Annual General Meeting and Tradeshow was held from November 17 to 19 at the Telus Convention Centre in Calgary, Alberta

ATAC's mandate includes the promotion of safe and reliable air transportation of people and goods to the benefit of the Canadian society and the consultation and cooperation with all Government and regulatory authorities to seek the advancement of improvement of commercial aviation.

size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">CATSA's Board Members, CEO, Executive team, and the Calgary Airport Authority

Profile on Halifax's Airport Pre-Board Screening Trainer Betty Fizzard

size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pre-Board Trainer Betty Fizzard

When asked why she began working for the Halifax International airport 23 years ago, Betty Fizzard laughs on the phone.

“It all started with me dreaming of one day becoming a flight attendant. What girl didn't back then. But in my days, you had to meet a certain height, and I am one short person,” she says in between laughs.

At 4'11'', it didn't take Fizzard long to realize that her dream was an unrealistic one. A decade and four kids later, Fizzard began thinking of transforming her old dream into a realistic goal.

“I always loved the atmosphere of an airport but I couldn't get a job as a flight attendant. That's when I thought about screening”, says Fizzard.

Fizzard still remembers when she first started working as a Screening
Officer atthe Halifax International airport more than two decades ago.
She had to wake up every day at 4:00am for an early-morning departure.
Back then, she remembers her husband giving her less than two weeks
before she gives up and quits the job. But she didn't.

Fizzard spent two years as a Screening Officer, then was promoted to Shift Supervisor, a job she did for five years. From her position as Shift Supervisor (the equivalent of today's Point Leader), she moved up to Pre-Board Screening Manager for the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick region.

“I loved it. When I walked into the airport, I never knew what to expect and that's what I loved and still love most. Every day is different,” she says.

Today, Fizzard doesn't arrive to the airport before 7:00am. She is now responsible for the CATSA Level 3 Upgrade training of all staff employed by Screening Contractors at the Halifax airport. Although Fizzard still works long hours and only has Sundays off, she says she's finally doing what she loves.

“Training has always been a passion for me. I have done it in past years but never full-time. Now, I finally have the chance to do it full-time. I wake up every morning and I want to go to work. I just love the act of sharing knowledge and information with others. I feel that I can leave something with each individual, something that will help them in their daily tasks and that in the long run will instill confidence in the safety of our security system,” she says.

When asked about the most memorable moments of her successful career in aviation security, Fizzard names only one: the aftermath of 9/11.

“After September 11, everybody came together and we worked from 5:00am to 1:00am the next morning. I was completely amazed how everyone in the airport community got together and offered to help without even being asked. People took time out to appreciate each other, to hug each other. It was beautiful to see how people really care for each other.”
With people as caring and focused as Fizzard working in our airports, there is no doubt that Canadian air security is on its way to becoming one of the best in the world.

Getting to know you…A regional perspective…

CATSA NEWS got in touch with Twyla Hartt, our East Coast Regional Manager to find out more about her role and responsibilities. Ms. Hartt is responsible for Moncton International Airport, Fredericton Municipal Airport, St. John Airport, St. John's International Airport, Charlottetown Airport, Bathurst Regional Airport, Charlo Airport, St. Leonard Airport, Sydney Municipal Airport, and Yarmouth Airport.

TH: I became a CATSA Regional Manager on October 28th, 2002. From March 11 to October 27, I was an Airlines Security Facilitator. I was hired by the Airline Operating Committees (AOC). This was the case for all facilitators across the country. Our salaries were managed by the airlines but financed by CATSA. Now we work directly for CATSA. We are currently 11 Regional Managers and will be 14 by the end of this year.

TH: CATSA Regional Managers represent CATSA's interests at airports within our designated regions. We are actively working to partner and build relationships with all stakeholders: airports, airlines, guard companies, screening officers, guard unions, Transport Canada, the general public, and our passengers. Through effective communication and co-operation we will provide leadership in working toward orderly transition to CATSA responsibility for pre-board screening and beyond.

TH: Construction – St. John's, Nfld. new airport facility completed this summer.
Construction – Beautiful new Moncton International Airport opened this fall.
Construction – Saint John, N. B. & Halifax Int'l Airport construction ongoing.
Security equipment implementation and maintenance at our airports is ongoing.
CATSA is providing 3,000 screening officers with a “L3U” two day training course that is underway and being well received by the screening officers. Transition and change are difficult for all stakeholders. However, the feedback is positive and we are moving forward together.

TH: Well, they should know that customer feedback has been very positive: professional, consistent and friendly service. Even with all these challenges, I can truly say we're getting a lot of good feedback. It's been a pleasure working with our stakeholders and as for the staff at our airports, their main focus remains the service and safety of Canadians.

Media Inquiries

If you are approached by the media about any security-related matters, or CATSA in general, please direct them to CATSA's Senior Communications Advisor Renée Fairweather at (613) 998-4527 or CATSA's Press Advisor Marianne Keriakos at (613) 998-0311.

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