BACKGROUNDER
ACTIONS TAKEN IN RESPONSE TO SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

The terrorist attacks on the U.S. prompted the Government of Canada to take quick and decisive action to strengthen the safety and security of the transportation system and protect the traveling public.

Transport Canada is constantly reviewing and assessing the level of security of all transportation modes - aviation, marine, rail, and road. Should these reviews ever determine a need to increase the security presence in any mode, Transport Canada will take immediate action.

The following is a chronology of some of the key actions taken since September 11, 2001. A detailed chronology of the first four days of the crisis is also available at: 
http://www.tc.gc.ca/majorissues/transportationsecurity/menu.htm.

September 11, 2001 

Within 20 minutes of the attack on the World Trade Center, the Transport Canada Situation Centre is activated. It establishes contact with other key members of the Canadian aviation community, including NAV CANADA, the Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC) and local airport authorities, as well as the RCMP and the Department of National Defence. It also establishes links with American regulators - notably, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - and international civil aviation authorities.

Immediately following the attacks, Transport Minister David Collenette closes Canadian airspace, declaring that no further aircraft - commercial or private - will be able to depart Canadian airports until further notice. The only exceptions are military, police or humanitarian flights.

Transport Canada and its partner agencies, both international and domestic, co-ordinate the landing of 224 aircraft - with more than 33,000 passengers - at 17 airports across the country.

September 12-14, 2001 

Transport Canada officials begin the arduous task of drafting and revising hundreds of security requirements.

Restrictions on passenger flights are gradually lifted as the safety and security of Canadian airspace are enhanced. Security is heightened at Canadian airports as increased police presence, increased passenger screening and enhanced baggage security procedures are implemented.

Minister Collenette also lifts restrictions imposed on cargo flights ordered earlier in the week.

September 17, 2001 

Transport Canada requires that cockpit doors on all Canadian airline passenger flights (domestic and international) be locked for the full duration of flights.

September 22, 2001 

In response to the decision by international insurers to no longer provide the levels of war risk liability that had been in place, Transport Canada announces it will provide an indemnity for third-party war and terrorism liabilities for essential aviation service operators in Canada. This action ensures that uninterrupted aviation services and business continuity will be maintained. Transport Canada extends this coverage several times and the coverage remains in effect.

October 2, 2001 

Transport Canada announces a program to compensate Canadian air carriers and specialty air operators for losses resulting from the closure of Canada’s airspace following the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001.

October 11, 2001 

The Government of Canada announces a wide range of new initiatives to enhance the security of operations at Canada’s airports. The initiatives provide more than $79 million for new equipment and supporting activities at Canadian airports. Most of the new funding, $55.7 million, is allocated to the purchase of advanced explosives detections systems for deployment at Canadian airports. In addition, funding is targeted for the hiring of airport security inspectors across Canada to respond to security threats and $12 million is allocated annually to Transport Canada and other Government of Canada agencies to meet staffing requirements related to public security and anti-terrorism programs.

Transport Canada issues an exemption to provide temporary relief from existing design standards to allow immediate modifications to existing cockpit doors to prevent unauthorized entry into cockpits.

At Transport Canada’s request, the Canadian Coast Guard issues a “Notice to Shipping” requiring that trans-oceanic traffic give 96 hours notice in advance of entering Canadian waters, rather than the usual 24 hours.

The Interdepartmental Marine Security Working Group is formed, which is chaired by Transport Canada. The group holds ongoing discussions throughout the year to review all aspects of marine and port security.

October 19, 2001 

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, in consultation with Transport Canada, introduces new security requirements, including restricting access to facilities, pre-screening of ships before they arrive in the St. Lawrence/Great Lakes system, and onboard inspections of ships before they proceed to port. Enhanced security of the St. Lawrence Seaway is undertaken in consultation with U.S. marine authorities.

October 31, 2001 

Transport Canada establishes the Aviation Security Advisory Committee in order to consult with stakeholders on aviation security in light of the evolving security environment following the September 11 attacks. 

The committee is chaired by Transport Canada’s Assistant Deputy Minister of Safety and Security, and comprises representatives from aviation security organizations and associations, labour and public interest groups, Transport Canada and other government departments and agencies.

November 9, 2001 

Transport Canada announces that it has granted an exemption to the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations to allow for armed RCMP officers on board flights from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport to Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. Effective November 12, armed RCMP officers are on board all flights originating from Canada destined for Reagan National Airport.

December 11, 2001 

The December 2001 budget provides $2.2 billion for air security initiatives such as:

• The creation of a new Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), responsible for the provision of key air security services such as: pre-board screening of passengers and their belongings; the acquisition, deployment and maintenance of explosives detection equipment at airports; federal contributions for airport policing related to civil aviation security initiatives; and contracting for police on board aircraft. 
• Enhanced pre-board screening at Canadian airports and new annual funding of up to $128 million per year. This new funding represents a 78 per cent increase over the airlines’ expenditures in fiscal year 2000/2001 for pre-board screening. In addition, the Government of Canada will provide up to $10 million in fiscal year 2001/2002 to implement immediate improvements to airport screening practices. 
• Funding of over $1 billion over the next five years for the purchase, deployment and operation of advanced explosives detection systems at airports across the country, covering 99 per cent of all air passengers. 
• An expanded program of RCMP officers on board selected domestic and international flights. 
• Funding of up to $35 million over two years to airlines to help cover the cost of security modifications, including the reinforcement of cockpit doors, to existing passenger aircraft resulting from new standards and regulations currently in development. 
• Annual contributions for costs associated with aviation security-related policing at major airports and one-time payments totalling a maximum of $20 million for heightened policing and security at airports resulting from the terrorist attacks in the United States. 
• Funding for further significant increases to Transport Canada staffing associated with aviation security functions, including hiring new inspectors to provide increased oversight of aviation security. 
• Further enhancements to aviation security including requirements that all passengers in Canada be subject to new limits on carry-on luggage and all passengers travelling on flights bound for the U.S. be subject to random secondary searches at the departure gate prior to boarding the aircraft and their checked luggage be subject to random hand searches at check-in. 
• Funding of $60 million over the next six years to protect ports and other critical infrastructure from terrorist attacks, and for increased intelligence gathering to screen for potential terrorists, as well as weapons and explosives. 

December 21, 2001 

Royal Assent is given to Bill C-44, which amends the Aeronautics Act. This bill enhances the ability of Canadian air carriers to work with their international partners, in particular the United States, to take steps towards further deterring and detecting terrorists. The bill allows air carriers to provide basic passenger and crew data to foreign governments, in accordance with the Aeronautics Act and regulations.

February 19, 2002 

Transport Canada provides $350,000 to help fund the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Security Oversight Audit Programme. The purpose of the audit programme is to identify needed remedial action, promote greater understanding of systemic security issues, and build confidence in aviation security. In addition, the audit programme will identify potential deficiencies in security oversight systems of member countries, and will provide suitable recommendations for resolving any such deficiencies.

March 26, 2002 

Minister Collenette announces that enhanced security screening procedures for ships entering the St. Lawrence Seaway-Great Lakes system - introduced in the aftermath of September 11 - are updated and agreed to by Canadian and U.S. authorities. The enhanced security screening procedures are in effect for the 2002 shipping season.

March 28, 2002 

Minister Collenette announces the creation of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, which will be responsible for the provision of several key aviation security services in Canada. The authority was established through the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority Act as part of the Budget Implementation Act, 2001, Bill C-49. Bill C-49, which received Royal Assent on March 27, 2002.

Mr. Collenette also announces the appointment of Brian Flemming of Halifax as chair of CATSA, and Ghislaine Richard of Montreal is named vice-chair.

April 1, 2002 

CATSA assumes full responsibility for all screening equipment at airports, including explosives detection systems, and for contracting with the RCMP for officers on board aircraft. The authority also assumes responsibility for costs associated with pre-board screening of airline passengers.

Transport Canada continues to regulate the provision of security services and has dedicated new resources, including hiring additional inspectors, to increase the level of monitoring and testing of the aviation security system.

April 10, 2002 

New regulations are announced to mandate the installation of internal locking devices to flight compartment doors by May 1, 2002, and new intrusion resistance requirements by April 9, 2003. The regulations apply to approximately 500 passenger and cargo aircraft weighing more than 8,618 kilograms upon takeoff, and those aircraft with a capacity of 20 or more passengers. 

The regulations build on steps taken by Transport Canada in September 2001, which enabled airlines to begin immediate initial strengthening of cockpit doors.

April 29, 2002 

Minister Collenette introduces an improved package of public safety initiatives in support of its Anti-terrorism Plan. The Public Safety Act, 2002 (Bill C-55) contains key actions that will increase the Government of Canada's capacity to prevent terrorist attacks, protect Canadians, and respond swiftly should a significant threat arise.
Notably, it will:

• clarify and update existing aviation security authorities to maximize the effectiveness of Canada’s aviation security system and enhance the ability of the Government of Canada to provide a safe and secure environment for air travel; and, 
• facilitate the sharing of law enforcement and national security information between federal departments and agencies. 

June 17, 2002 

Steve J. Baker of London, Ontario, Ronald K. Clark of Guelph, Ontario, and Gordon F. Cheesbrough of Toronto are appointed to the board of directors of CATSA.

July 3, 2002 

Pierre Beaudry of Aylmer, Quebec, Mary Martin of Richmond, B.C., Murray Sigler of Calgary, Alberta, and Darrel Smith of White Rock, B.C. are appointed to the board of directors of CATSA.

October 31, 2002

Minister Collenette introduces the Public Safety Act, 2002, in place of Bill C-55, which was introduced on April 29, 2002, but died on the order paper when Parliament was prorogued in September. The Public Safety Act, 2002, which supports the Government of Canada’s Anti-Terrorism Plan, contains key actions that will increase the government’s capacity to prevent terrorist attacks, protect Canadians, and respond swiftly should a significant threat arise. Most notably, it would:

• enhance the ability of the Government of Canada to provide a secure environment for air travel; 
• facilitate data sharing between air carriers and federal departments and agencies for the purposes of transportation and national security; 
• allow for the issuance of interim orders in emergency situations, while ensuring proper controls over government actions; 
• deter hoaxes that endanger the public or heighten public anxiety; 
• establish tighter controls over explosives and hazardous substances, activities related to other dangerous substances such as pathogens, and the export and transfer of technology; 
• help identify and prevent harmful unauthorized use or interference with computer systems operated by counter-terrorism agencies; and 
• deter the proliferation of biological weapons. 

November 5, 2002

Minister Collenette announces two new initiatives that will further enhance aviation security. Specifically, Mr. Collenette assigned two additional responsibilities to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. They are:

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

January 22, 2003 

Transport Minister David Collenette, on behalf of the Government of Canada, announces a series of marine security projects worth up to $172.5 million to be carried out by Transport Canada, Solicitor General Canada, Fisheries and Oceans, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, National Defence and Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. The projects focus on safeguarding and protecting our marine infrastructure, surveillance of Canadian waters and improving our emergency response capabilities. 

Specific projects include: 

• increasing surveillance and tracking of marine traffic, including “near real-time” identification and tracking of vessels in Canadian waters; 
• screening of passengers and crew on board vessels; 
• installing new detection equipment in ports to screen containers for radiation; 
• new funding for the enhancement of the RCMP Emergency Response Teams and the establishment of permanent investigator positions at major ports; 
• enhancing collaboration and coordination among government departments and agencies; 
• making further improvements to port security by establishing restricted areas and requiring people working within these areas to undergo thorough background checks; and 
• developing and implementing new security requirements in line with recent recommendations of the International Maritime Organization. 

The Government of Canada also unveils new gamma ray technology that will be installed at strategic locations to enhance marine security across the country.

February 17, 2003 

Transport Canada awards a $310,000 research-and-development contract with Intrinsix Canada Co. of Ottawa, Ontario, to further develop their prototype of a computer system that integrate and presents security-related information from a variety of technologies used to carry out airport and passenger security.

March 19, 2003

With the onset of the conflict in Iraq, Minister Collenette announces the implementation of tightened security measures to further safeguard Canada’s transportation system. Highlights include more visible policing, additional security around pre-board screening of passengers and cargo, and tighter access controls. These temporary measures were introduced in aviation, marine, rail and surface transportation facilities and at border crossings.

April 9, 2003

Canadian and international air carriers meet Transport Canada’s new requirement to install intrusion-resistant flight cockpit doors by the April 9, 2003, deadline (announced in April 2002).

May-June 2003

Transport Canada holds policy framework consultations with stakeholders on implementation of the International Maritime Organization’s International Ship and Port Facility Security Code and the Marine Facility Restricted Area Access Clearance Program (scheduled to come into effect July 1, 2004).

August 5, 2003

Clément Joly (FCA) of Laval, Quebec, is appointed to the board of directors of CATSA.

August 25, 2003

Working Group meetings begin to develop marine security regulations in support of the International Maritime Organization’s International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, scheduled to come into effect July 1, 2004, and the Marine Facility Restricted Area Access Clearance Program.