No. H035/02
For release March 28, 2002

CANADIAN AIR TRANSPORT
SECURITY AUTHORITY ESTABLISHED

OTTAWA — Transport Minister David Collenette today announced the creation of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), 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, which received Royal Assent yesterday, as part of the Budget Implementation Act, 2001, Bill C-49.

"I am very pleased to announce the establishment of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, effective April 1, 2002," said Mr. Collenette. "Creating the new authority will result in further improvements to the excellent aviation security system we have in place in this country."

The new authority will immediately assume full responsibility for all screening equipment at airports, including explosives detection systems, and for contracting with the RCMP for armed officers on board aircraft. It will also immediately be responsible for costs associated with the provision of pre-board screening of airline passengers. These costs were previously borne by the airlines.

Some other changes will be made on a more gradual basis. For example, to ensure a smooth transition for pre-board screening services, CATSA will assume operational responsibility for these services on a site-by-site basis over the coming months.

The Government of Canada has already spent approximately $100 million since September 11, 2001, on enhanced aviation security initiatives. In addition, as of April 1, 2002, CATSA will immediately begin paying for the air transport security services under its mandate. In just the first year of operations, the authority will be responsible for:

• up to $128 million for pre-board screening;
• at least $220 million for the purchase of explosives detection systems with further expenditures in subsequent years;
• funding for airport policing related to civil aviation security;
• funding for an expanded program of armed RCMP officers on board aircraft; and
• development of a certification program for all screening officers based on criteria that are at least as stringent as those prescribed in Transport Canada regulations and standards.

CATSA is a federal crown corporation and will report to the Minister of Transport. Transport Canada will regulate and monitor the performance of the authority.

"The safety and security of Canada's transportation system are top priorities for the Government of Canada as we continue to look for ways to enhance an already effective system," added Mr. Collenette. "The establishment of this new security authority will result in a more consistent and integrated air transport security system across Canada."

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Contact:

Anthony Polci
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700

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Canada has an enviable record on aviation safety and security, and the Government of Canada is committed to improving on that record through the establishment of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority.

Establishing the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority under federal government control will result in a more consistent and integrated aviation security system across Canada, as well as enhanced security performance standards and services. Transport Canada will continue to regulate and monitor the provision of security services, with the new authority responsible for delivery.

The establishment of the authority was included in the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority Act, as part of Bill C-49, the Budget Implementation Act, 2001, which was introduced in the House of Commons on February 5, 2002. Its creation was announced as part of $2.2 billion designated for aviation security in the December 2001 budget.

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority is a crown corporation and will operate on a not-for-profit basis. The authority will be accountable to the Minister of Transport for the delivery of consistent, effective, and highly professional service at or above the standards set by federal regulations.

The authority will be responsible for several key security initiatives:

• pre-board screening of passengers and their belongings;
• certification of screening officers;
• purchase, deployment, maintenance and operation of explosives detection systems;
• federal contributions toward airport policing related to civil aviation security; and
• contracting with the RCMP for armed officers on board aircraft.

The authority will immediately assume responsibility for some of these elements, while others will be phased in gradually on a site-by-site basis.

The Government of Canada will appoint a total of 11 members to the board of directors for terms up to five years. The board will select the chief executive officer.

Canadian Air Transport Security Authority employees will not be public servants. However, they will be federally regulated under the Canada Labour Code. The Authority will be responsible for its own employees and will develop its own human resource policies.

Transport Canada has dedicated new resources, including hiring additional inspectors, to increase the level of monitoring and testing of the air transport security system.

March 2002

BACKGROUNDER

CHANGES TO AVIATION SECURITY SINCE SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

As a result of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the Government of Canada has made numerous changes and committed more than $2.2 billion for safety and security enhancements to the air transportation system. For example, the Government of Canada:

• Required that cockpit doors on all Canadian airlines' passenger flights, domestic and international, be locked for the full duration of the flights. The Government of Canada is also amending the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations to enable the strengthening of cockpit doors.
• Allocated $3 million in additional funds to deploy airport security inspectors across Canada.
• Allocated $750,000 for an analysis of advanced and evolving security practices and technologies.
• Helped facilitate the return of Air Canada to Reagan International Airport in Washington and made RCMP officers available for Air Canada flights to this airport immediately following the attacks.
• Introduced new legislation, known as the Public Safety Act, Bill C-42, to strengthen the Government's ability to improve the safety of Canadians, to prevent terrorist attacks and to respond quickly if significant threats should arise.
• Amended the Aeronautics Act to clarify and update existing aviation security authorities; strengthen other security authorities; address the issue of passenger data that may be required at home and abroad; and make it an offence to engage in any behaviour that endangers the safety of passengers or crew by interfering with crew members or those following their instructions (commonly referred to as "air rage").
• Introduced Bill C-44, a subsection of Bill C-42, to give air carriers the ability to provide limited advance data on passengers to the United States as required by U.S. law, strictly for purposes of security.
• Committed $2.2 billion in the December 2001 budget to new aviation security initiatives. This includes:
• creating a new Canadian Air Transport Security Authority;
• funding of up to $128 million per year for pre-board screening;
• funding of more than $1 billion over the next five years for the purchase, deployment, maintenance and operation of new explosives detection systems;
• implementing a national program of armed RCMP officers on aircraft;
• funding of up to $35 million to assist with security modifications to existing aircraft;
• funding of $10 million toward implementing immediate improvements to airport screening practices, which include airport facilitators and pre-board screening awareness training sessions at airports across the country;
• funding of $20 million toward enhancement of policing and security at airports; and
• providing $350,000 to help fund the International Civil Aviation Organization's Security Oversight Audit Programme.

March 2002