No. H004/04
For release February 16, 2004

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA
IMPLEMENTS NEW AIRPORT SCREENING PROGRAM

OTTAWA - The Government of Canada today added another layer of security to the nation's aviation system by unveiling a new program to screen non-passengers who are authorized to enter restricted areas at Canada's major airports.

Under the program, non-passengers - such as airline personnel, airport employees, refuelers, flight crews, caterers, aircraft groomers, maintenance personnel and ground handlers - are subject to random screening when accessing restricted areas at major airports. The screening will take place at the entrances to restricted areas. Personnel will not be forewarned. Random screening of personnel working in restricted areas may also take place under the program. Toronto's Lester B. Pearson International Airport is the first Canadian airport to implement the program. Other major airports across Canada will implement the program in the coming weeks and months, resulting in coverage of airports handling 92 per cent of Canada's air passenger travel by the end of the year.

In making the announcement, Transport Minister Tony Valeri said: "While Canada already has one of the safest and most secure transportation systems in the world, we are committed to making ongoing improvements to the security of our transportation system and will continue to work with our partners to identify and implement security enhancements."

The new screening program will be implemented and run by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) which has responsibility for key aviation security services including passenger and baggage screening and administration of the air carrier protective program where armed Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers are put aboard selected flights.

"This new screening program for non-passengers represents an important addition to our mandate, and will contribute to making security at Canada's airports even tighter," said CATSA President and Chief Executive Officer Jacques Duchesneau.

As 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. Transport Canada established the regulatory framework for the new screening program.

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 RCMP and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) before issuing security clearances for employees who work in restricted areas.

A backgrounder on the new screening security enhancements is attached.

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BACKGROUNDER

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.

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