CATSA News Release

Pre-Board Screeners to Receive Transition Payment

OTTAWA, May 29 - Brian Flemming, Chairman of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), today announced an interim transition payment plan designed to recognize the efforts and increased responsibility of pre-board screening officers at Canadian airports since September 11, 2001.

"The interim transition payment plan will help us retain qualified, trained personnel, and will develop a foundation for future recognition of the important work done by pre-board screening officers across Canada," Mr. Flemming said. "This plan emerged from discussions with airlines and Canadian security companies. It was determined that this interim incentive would be paid on a quarterly basis to all operational screening employees on staff between April 1 and December 31 of this year."

In addition to their regular pay, screening officers will receive the equivalent of one week's pay on a quarterly basis, an incentive that will reflect the increased demands they have faced following the September terrorist attacks. The plan follows on the heels of the pre-CATSA, federal Government $10 million pre-board screening program that began on January 1, 2002, and concluded March 31, 2002.

CATSA is a Crown corporation that was created by Parliament at the end of March 2002, to assume responsibility for the delivery of consistent, effective and highly professional aviation security services. To that end, CATSA is working towards the development of a certification program for pre-board screeners that will reflect its commitment to maintaining a world class air security system in which pre-board screening staff will play a fundamental role.

During a nine-month transition period extending to December 31, 2002, the airlines remain responsible - through screening companies - for the provision of pre-board screening until CATSA takes over airport screening on a site-by- site basis. On April 1, 2002, CATSA immediately assumed responsibility for screening equipment at airports, including explosives detection systems, and for contracting with the RCMP for officers on board aircraft.

Mr. Flemming added that by working together, CATSA, airport authorities, airlines and pre-board screening personnel would continue to provide Canada with one of the world's safest and most secure air transportation systems.

Backgrounder 1

Canadian Air Transport Security Authority

On March 28, 2002, Transport Minister David Collenette announced the creation of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), which is responsible for providing several key aviation security services in Canada. The Authority was established through the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority Act, given assent as part of the Budget Implementation Act, 2001, Bill C-49. Brian Flemming has been appointed Chair of CATSA, and Ghislaine Richard has been named Vice-Chair.

Based in the National Capital Region, CATSA is a Crown corporation that will operate on a not-for-profit basis. The Authority will report to Parliament through the Minister of Transport, and will be responsible for the delivery of consistent, effective and highly professional service at or above the standards set by federal regulations. Transport Canada will continue to regulate and monitor the provision of security services, with the new Authority being responsible for delivery.

CATSA's mandate includes responsibility for the screening of persons and their belongings, where they have access to an aircraft or restricted areas through screening points at designated airports. It is also responsible for other air transport security functions assigned by the Minister of Transport. The Authority will enhance security by integrating aviation pre-board screening systems across Canada, in compliance with government-established security performance standards.

Pre-Board Screening Services

The Government of Canada will be providing up to $128 million per year for pre-board screening services, which amounts to an increase of more than $55 million a year. In addition, the Government of Canada provided up to $10 million in the 2000-2001 fiscal year to implement immediate improvements to airport screening practices.

CATSA will be responsible for the management and delivery of pre-board screening at airports, taking over this function from the airlines on a site- by-site basis over the coming months. The Authority will have the power to recruit and deploy its own security officers or to enter into arrangements for local delivery.

CATSA will be able to authorize airport operators to deliver screening services. In the case of large airports, for instance, it may be more effective for the new Authority to rely on airport authorities for personnel management and local recruitment, while retaining overall accountability. CATSA, however, must be satisfied that the airport operator has the capability to deliver efficient, effective, integrated and consistent screening services. The Authority remains responsible for the delivery of screening services and the airport operator will not inherit the powers of the Authority, such as status and ability to issue certificates. CATSA will be responsible for establishing the qualifications for screeners and screening firms. It will establish selection processes based on national quality standards set by the Authority in accordance with Transport Canada's regulatory requirements.

May 2002

Backgrounder 2

Canadian Air Transport Security Authority Transition Payment Plan

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), which is responsible for providing several key aviation security services in Canada, has announced a transition payment plan to recognize the efforts and increased responsibility of pre-board screening officers since September 11, 2001. The transition payment plan will help to improve the retention of qualified, trained staff and to develop the foundation for future recognition of the work done by pre-board screening officers.

Discussions with the airlines and Canadian security companies concluded with the implementation of an incentive program with payments on a quarterly basis to all operational screening officers on payroll between April 1, 2002, and December 31, 2002.

The interim transition payment plan will provide a lump sum payment to screening officers on a quarterly basis. Screening officers will receive the equivalent of one week's pay on a quarterly basis, an incentive that will reflect the increased demands they have handled following the September terrorist attacks.

The plan will be administered by the guard companies who will make claims for reimbursement through the airlines who are responsible for the provision of pre-board screening. During the transition period extending to December 31, 2002, airlines remain responsible by regulation for the provision of pre-board screening at Canadian airports until CATSA assumes responsibility for pre-board screening services on a site-by-site basis.

Prior to assuming responsibility, CATSA will be developing new certification and training requirements which will need to be met by screening guard service providers. CATSA will be working with airports, airlines and guard companies to continue to provide Canada with one of the world's safest and most secure air transportation systems.

Government Announced Immediate Improvements

The Government of Canada announced $10 million in the December 2001 budget for immediate improvements to enhance pre-board screening at Canadian airports.

Of the funding announced, an $8 million grant program was to assist air carriers with the costs of pre-board screening improvements incurred between December 10, 2001, and March 31, 2002, with the other $2 million being used for a public awareness campaign.

Specifically, the $8 million covered:

• full-time facilitator costs to oversee immediate improvements to pre-board screening, including refresher training, awareness programs, airport liaison and coordination of facility improvements;
• incremental staffing costs related to pre-board screening training, supervision and additional locations;
• costs of transition payments to pre-board security screening staff to retain qualified and trained personnel; and
• costs related to the delivery of a national pre-board screening refresher training and awareness program at a major airport for airline check-in staff.

With this Government transition plan, funding was available for air carriers who provide pre-board screening directly or indirectly through contract with security companies or air carriers who provide pre-board screening training or facilitation for their passenger service agents.

May 2002

No. GC002/02

For further information: Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), (613) 940-1270