AVIATION SECURITY - HIGHLIGHTS

The security of the aviation system is an important component of overall transportation security. The Government of Canada, including Transport Canada, is committed to working with stakeholders, both domestically and internationally, to ensure that Canada’s air transportation system remains one of the safest and most secure in the world.

Since September 11, 2001, the Government of Canada has committed nearly $2.4 billion to further enhance Canada's aviation security. The most recent initiatives announced by Canada’s new government include:

• announcing new funding, in Budget 2006, of $133 million over two years to help the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) address increasing demands stemming from continued growth in air traffic. This funding will go toward supporting security services provided by CATSA at Canadian airports, including the screening of passengers and their baggage;
• committing, through Budget 2006, up to $26 million over two years toward the design of enhancements to the air cargo security regime. Air cargo represents a major and growing component of Canada's transportation system, and these additional resources will be directed towards the development and testing of measures that will help ensure the air cargo supply chain remains secure, while maintaining the efficient movement of goods; and
• updating the list of items prohibited in carry-on baggage on board aircraft to include liquids, gels and aerosols in order to further enhance the safety and security of passengers.

These initiatives build upon numerous other actions taken by the Government of Canada to strengthen the security of Canada’s air transportation system, including:

• exceeding the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements for the screening of 100 per cent of checked baggage on international flights by January 1, 2006, by extending checked baggage screening beyond international fights to most domestic commercial passenger flights;
• committing, in February 2005, a total of $16 million over five years for the development of systems that will enhance aviation and national security by receiving and assessing passenger information;
• requiring all passengers in Canada to be subject to new limits on carry-on baggage and enhanced searches for all passengers travelling on flights bound for the U.S.;
• implementing a program to screen non-passengers who are authorized to enter restricted areas at Canada’s major airports, which handle 92 per cent of Canada’s air passenger travel;
• working with CATSA to implement a new Restricted Area Identification Card (RAIC), which, through the use of biometrics, will enhance the restricted area pass system at Canada’s 29 major airports;
• providing funding for significant increases to Transport Canada staff dedicated to aviation security functions, including hiring new inspectors to provide increased oversight of aviation security;
• contributing annually to 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 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States;
• providing funding up to $35 million over two years to airlines to help cover the cost of security modifications, including the reinforcement of cockpit doors on existing passenger aircraft;
• expanding the number of Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers on board selected domestic and international flights;
• funding more than $1 billion over 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;
• enhancing pre-board screening at Canadian airports; and
• creating CATSA, which is responsible for the provision of key aviation security services such as: pre-board screening of passengers and their belongings; acquisition, deployment and maintenance of explosives detection equipment at airports; management of federal contributions for airport policing related to civil aviation security initiatives; and contracting for police on board aircraft.

September 2006