CATSA News Release

For Immediate Release

January 22, 2004

CATSA Awards New Security Screening Contracts

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) today announced that new contracts have been awarded for security screening at Canadian airports, effective April 1st , 2004.

"These new contracts represent another important step in the evolution of security screening in Canada and the delivery of services to air travellers. We have raised the bar on how we do business by including stricter requirements and guidelines for performance and customer service," said CATSA's President and CEO Jacques Duchesneau.

Since assuming responsibility for security screening in December 2002 from the airlines, CATSA has done a thorough evaluation of passenger and baggage screening. As a result, a Request for Proposals (RFP) for screening services was issued by CATSA in October 2003. The evaluation of those bids has been underway for several weeks and involved extensive analysis of technical and financial information. The entire process was overseen by independent auditors.

For the purpose of the RFP, bidders were invited to submit proposals for 6 different groups of airports. The successful bidders are indicated next to each group:

• Toronto (Pearson, Toronto City and Buttonville airports) - GARDA OF CANADA.
• Pacific (British Columbia) - SECURIGUARD SERVICES LTD.
• Ontario (other than the three Toronto airports) - AEROGUARD EASTERN LTD.
• Prairies (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon and NWT) - AEROGUARD INC.
• Quebec - SÉCURITÉ KOLOSSAL INC.
• Atlantic (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, NFLD/Labrador) - SHANNAHAN'S INVESTIGATION AND SECURITY LIMITED.

The new contracts contain strong transition components to manage any change in service providers. All contractors are obligated to provide screening services with CATSA certified officers. Successful bidders who replace existing service providers are required to make offers of employment to sufficient numbers of CATSA certified screening personnel of the existing contractor in order to carry out their new responsibilities.

"We would like to assure Canadians that security screening services will not be interrupted in any way during the transition period. It will be business as usual at all airports. We would like to thank existing service providers for their hard work and professionalism and look forward to our new partnerships," concluded Mr. Duchesneau.

A Crown Corporation based in the National Capital Region, CATSA reports to Parliament through the Minister of Transport and is responsible for delivering consistent, effective and efficient service that is set at or above the standards established by federal regulations.

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For more information, please contact:
Renée Fairweather (613) 998-4527