No. H120/02
For release November 5, 2002

TRANSPORT MINISTER ANNOUNCES
FURTHER ENHANCEMENTS TO AVIATION SECURITY

OTTAWA - Transport Minister David Collenette today announced two new initiatives that will further enhance aviation security. Specifically, Mr. Collenette is assigning two additional responsibilities to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA). They are:

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

"Canada has one of the safest and most secure air transportation systems in the world," said Mr. Collenette. “These new enhancements, combined with the many other security improvements that we have implemented over the last year, including the establishment of CATSA, will help make our system even safer and more secure.”

Canada already has a very effective restricted area pass system, but the enhancement of the system, including the use of biometrics, will enable Canada to remain among world leaders in this area. Transport Canada and CATSA will work in partnership with airport authorities to develop this enhanced pass system for non-passengers who require access to restricted areas at airports. This will include the use of centralized databanks supporting the issuance, verification, cancellation and tracking of restricted area passes. Currently, passes are issued by individual airport authorities on the approval of Transport Canada following extensive background checks conducted by the RCMP and CSIS.

Mr. Collenette has also asked CATSA to take on responsibility for an expanded program of screening of non-passengers who enter restricted areas at airports. Such individuals include airport and airline employees and others who work within the restricted areas of airports. CATSA will work with Transport Canada and industry stakeholders, including labour groups, to develop this enhanced program. This will build on existing security requirements for people who have access to restricted areas at airports.

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority’s current mandate includes responsibility for:

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

Additional responsibilities are being assigned to CATSA pursuant to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority Act which provides that the Minister of Transport may assign air transport security functions to CATSA in addition to those specified in the legislation. The new initiatives to be undertaken by CATSA at major airports across Canada will be funded from within the authority’s existing resources.

“I would like to thank the aviation community for their ongoing contribution to aviation security,” added Mr. Collenette. “Representatives of airports, airlines, pilots and flight attendants, industry associations and labour groups, as well as many others, have worked very closely and cooperatively with Transport Canada and other federal government departments and agencies. This includes actively participating in the Aviation Security Advisory Committee and its working groups. The enhancements announced today build on the work and recommendations of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee.”

Backgrounders with further information on the enhancements to airport security as well as the Aviation Security Advisory Committee are attached.

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

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BACKGROUNDER

NEW ENHANCEMENTS FOR AVIATION SECURITY

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 since the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

On November 5, 2002, Transport Minister David Collenette announced further steps to enhance Canada’s aviation security by assigning two additional responsibilities to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA). 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.

The new initiatives to be undertaken by CATSA will be funded from within the Authority’s existing resources.

The two new initiatives are:

Canada already has one of the best airport restricted area pass systems in the world and has taken steps to build on it. To enhance the level of security at restricted areas in airports, CATSA will work with Transport Canada and aviation stakeholders to develop an enhanced airport restricted area pass system.

Under this new program, Transport Canada and CATSA will work in partnership with airport authorities to develop an enhanced pass system which will include the use of centralized databanks supporting the issuance, verification, cancellation and tracking of restricted area passes. The program will incorporate the use of biometrics.

This development follows an analysis of advanced and evolving security practices and technologies for airport facilities and systems conducted on behalf of Transport Canada. Funding in the amount of $750,000 was announced for this initiative on October 11, 2001. The analysis studied practices in other countries and security environments, examined various technologies and systems (such as biometrics) and considered how to best apply them to Canada’s aviation security system.

Developing an enhanced restricted area pass system builds on existing security requirements for people who have access to restricted areas at airports. Security clearances for those people who require access to restricted areas include background checks conducted by the RCMP and CSIS.

An expanded non-passenger screening program, combined with the new restricted area pass system, will significantly enhance the security requirements already in place and keep Canada at the leading edge of civil aviation security.

Non-passengers, such as airline personnel (including flight crew), airport employees, refuelers, caterers, aircraft groomers, maintenance personnel and ground handlers will be subject to random screening.

Transport Canada will establish the regulatory framework for this new screening program, including requirements for training specific to the screening of non-passengers. CATSA will be responsible for conducting the random screening of non-passengers entering restricted areas. CATSA’s role will include the administration of the program, training of screening personnel, and the purchase, deployment, operation and maintenance of all screening equipment.

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

AVIATION SECURITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Transport Canada has a long history of consulting with stakeholders to enhance the safety and security of the transportation system. We will continue to consult broadly with the aviation community so that Canada’s air transportation system remains one of the safest and most secure in the world.

Following the events of September 11, 2001, Transport Canada established the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) to provide a forum to seek input from stakeholders and to develop recommendations on changes to enhance the safety and security of air travel. In November 2001, two working groups were formed to discuss specific issues pertaining to aviation security - the Aircraft Security Operations Working Group and the Airport Security Working Group.

These working groups include broad representation from key aviation and security organizations such as airlines and airport operators, labour unions, industry associations, public interest groups, and other federal government departments and agencies. The working groups have helped to identify issues and have come forward with important advice and recommendations on how to continue to enhance security.

The Working Group on Airport Security focused on issues such as pre-boarding security, access to airport restricted areas, technology and costs for implementing various initiatives. In fact, the November 5, 2002, announcement on the enhanced pass system and the program for screening of non-passengers stem from advice put forward by this group.

ASAC asked the Working Group on Aircraft Security Operations to examine issues such as design features of aircraft to accommodate new security features, operational procedures and training, and flight deck access. Stemming from the consultations on aircraft security, Transport Canada proceeded with the development of new regulations mandating major modifications to aircraft to prevent forcible intrusions through the cockpit door. The regulations are now in place and require that modifications be completed by April 9, 2003. In the December 2001 federal budget, $35 million was allocated to assist Canadian operators to pay for such modifications.

Transport Canada will continue to involve aviation stakeholders in the development of security enhancements.

A list of the recommendations made by the Working Group on Airport Security and Transport Canada’s response is available at www.tc.gc.ca/majorissues/transportationsecurity/menu.htm.

November 2002