No. H137/06
For release November 10, 2006

CANADA’S NEW GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO BOOST
AIRPORT SECURITY WITH BIOMETRIC TECHNOLOGY

OTTAWA — The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced proposed amendments to the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations to support the implementation of the new Restricted Area Identity Card by Transport Canada and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA).

Through the use of biometrics, the card will enhance the restricted area pass system currently in place at Canada’s twenty-nine major airports for airport personnel, including flight crews, refuelers, caterers and others who require access to restricted areas. The Restricted Area Identity Card incorporates unique human characteristics, such as fingerprints and iris patterns, and leading-edge technology to accurately identify individuals accessing restricted areas at airports, and is the world’s first-ever dual biometric airport identification system.

“We are always exploring methods to continuously improve all aspects of aviation security,” said Minister Cannon. “Biometric technology is used around the world by security and police organizations to authenticate identity and will play an important role in helping to keep Canada's airports and skies safe.”

Transport Canada and CATSA have been working in partnership with airport authorities to develop and deploy this enhanced card system, which uses biometrics to support the issuance, verification, cancellation and tracking of restricted area identification cards. To gain access to an airport's restricted area, cardholders will be required to have either their fingerprint or iris scanned by biometric readers at individual airports.

This new card system is scheduled to be deployed at Canada’s twenty-nine major airports for approximately 120,000 aviation workers by December 31, 2006.

The proposed amendments to the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations supporting the implementation of the new card system will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part I on November 11, 2006. From that date, there will be a 15-day period for the public and other interested parties to provide comments. After consideration of the comments received, the regulations will be finalized and submitted for publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II.

A backgrounder on the Restricted Area Identity Card and the proposed regulatory amendments is attached.

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Backgrounder:

RESTRICTED AREA IDENTITY CARD

The Restricted Area Identity Card (RAIC) is an advanced addition to aviation security. It is unique in that it incorporates human characteristics and advanced technology to accurately verify individuals accessing restricted areas. Through the use of biometrics, a person's identity can be authenticated by measuring a physical characteristic such as a fingerprint or iris pattern.

Transport Canada and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) have been working with airports to deploy the new RAIC, which will enhance the restricted area pass system currently being used by approximately 120,000 workers at Canada's twenty-nine major airports.

The RAIC uses smart card technology, which integrates a small computer chip, to store two kinds of biometric data: fingerprint and iris templates.

At the primary access doors to restricted areas of major Canadian airports, cardholders will have either their fingerprint or iris scanned by a biometric reader. The reader performs three tasks. First, it compares the biometric template stored on the card with a live sample presented by the cardholder to ensure the person presenting the card is the person to whom the card has been issued. Second, it confirms that a transportation security clearance has been issued by Transport Canada and is valid for the holder of the card. Third, it confirms that the airport authority has granted access to the holder of the card at a particular restricted area access point.

Airport personnel who are issued the card will continue to be subject to access control requirements such as random screening, and background security checks. Individual airport authorities will retain responsibility for issuing the card and for determining who has access to the restricted areas at their airports.

The proposed amendments to the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations include requirements regarding:

• the information to be displayed on the RAIC;
• the issuing of the RAIC;
• the protection, handling and destruction of personal information;
• the activation and deactivation of the RAIC;
• the integration of access control features into the RAIC;
• record keeping;
• restricted area identification and access control;
• business continuity plans;
• the use of the RAIC and any access control features integrated into the RAIC;
• the presentation and surrender of the RAIC;
• doors, gates, emergency exits and other devices;
• escort and surveillance; and
• unauthorized access to the restricted area.

The twenty-nine airports that will be using the RAIC are: Calgary International; Charlottetown; Edmonton International; Fredericton; Gander International; Halifax International; Iqaluit; Kelowna International; London International; Moncton International; Montreal - Pierre Elliott Trudeau International; Montreal-Mirabel International; Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International; Prince George; Quebec - Jean Lesage International; Regina; Saint John; St. John's International; Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International; Greater Sudbury; Thunder Bay International; Toronto City Centre; Toronto Lester B. Pearson International; Vancouver International; Victoria International; Whitehorse; Windsor; Winnipeg International; Yellowknife.

November 2006