1.  Permanent Consultative Mechanism.
Stakeholders continue to be involved in a meaningful way in the development of enhancements to aviation security, possibly through the creation of a more permanent consultative mechanism.

Transport Canada Position

• TC and Stakeholders are jointly working on the Aviation Security Consultation Process. A draft consultation process document is under development and will evolve as the process develops.
• This item will be a standing action item at AGAS meetings.

2.  Security Awareness
More aggressive awareness activities are undertaken to better inform travelers about requirements relating to screening, to promote awareness and confidence-building. These actions, coupled with visible police presence, would act as a deterrent to problems occurring.

Transport Canada Position
Transport Canada is committed to provide the public information concerning safety and security. In 1997, a joint industry/government committee, the Canadian Aviation Security Awareness Advisory Committee (CASAAC), was established to promote good security practices to aviation sector workers and members of the travelling public.

CASAAC is a partnership between Transport Canada, the Canadian Airports Council, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, NAV Canada and the Air Transport Association of Canada. Its goal is to enhance security awareness by providing materials and strategies of national interest to member organizations and related facilities across Canada. (http://www.casaac.ca).

Transport Canada will work with stakeholders to continue to promote security awareness.

3.  Improvement of a National Restricted Area Pass System
A national pass system be developed that:

• has integrity;
• identifies the pass holder;
• allows airport operators to continue to control access to their property;
• has some level of access control which incorporates technology/biometrics;
• gives access to restricted areas in terminals and airside for those who need such access for the performance of their duties;
• has centralized management for multi-airport users, with a decentralized system for management of local passes, subject to meeting or exceeding national standards;
• allows for “fall back” to a manual system in exigent circumstances (e.g. a lock down); and
• is fully funded by the Government of Canada.Note: Dissents to this recommendation were provided by the Canadian Airports Council and the Greater Toronto Airport Authority.

Transport Canada Position
In the December 2001 Federal Budget, funds were allocated for an analysis of advanced and evolving security practices and technologies for airport facilities and systems. The analysis looked at practices in other countries and security environments, and examined various technologies and systems, such as biometrics, and how best to apply them to Canada’s aviation security system.

The Minister assigned CATSA the responsibility of developing and implementing, in partnership with airports, an enhanced restricted area pass system. This improved system will include databases supporting the issuance, verification, cancellation and tracking of restricted area passes, and will incorporate the use of biometrics. CATSA will work with Transport Canada, airports, unions, air carriers and other aviation industry stakeholders to develop this improved system.

TC/CATSA/CAC is part of a technical working group to identify specific technical aspects of the RAIC.

CATSA has deployed RAIC equipment to affected airports.

RAIC enrollment is underway at some airports on a voluntary basis.

CATSA held RAIC information sessions to stakeholders.

Regulatory drafts are under development and anticipated to be available to stakeholders Spring 2006.

Further action and follow-up on this file will be under the umbrella of the Aerodrome Technical Committee.

4.  Screening for Access to Restricted Aresa at Airports
Transport Canada immediately issue a directive to all local airport authorities or governing bodies that states: “where an alternative method of accessing the sterile area of an airport is available, uniformed, on duty Canadian flight crews (pilots and flight attendants) shall use these access points, subject to verification of their restricted area security pass (RASP).”

Note: Dissents to this recommendation were provided by the Canadian Airports Council and the Greater Toronto Airport Authority.

Transport Canada Position
Flight crew access to restricted areas must be facilitated, but a directive as contemplated by this recommendation is not the solution. Access to restricted areas, however, will be a key consideration in the development of the improved restricted area pass system referred to above in relation to recommendation number 3.

This recommendation is tied with the RAIC file above and will be pursued under the umbrella of the Aerodrome Screening Technical Committee.

5.  Background Checks
New standards for verifying background checks on screeners are considered, including a provision for a minimum number of years of verifiable background.

Transport Canada Position
The standards were implemented on June 29, 2004.

CLC asked for specific information on whether the standards were implemented to everything and to everybody, as it appears that the standards are not for screeners only. This issue will be pursued under the umbrella of the Security Screening Technical Committee.

6.  Airport Policing
Airport policing related to aviation security is a national security issue and should be funded by the Government of Canada.

Transport Canada Position
The December 2001 Federal Budget provided one time funding to enhance aviation security policing at 17 designated airports, which handle 91% of air traffic in Canada.

As part of its mandate, CATSA is responsible for providing funding to assist airports to meet the costs of mandatory airport policing in support of aviation security.

Transport Canada amended security requirements to formalize the requirement for policing at US preclearance and in support of Canadian Customs and Immigration Services that was instituted after the events of September 11, 2001.

In 2004, CATSA signed agreements with the Kelowna and London Airports to pilot a flexible, cost efficient model to increase police visibility and improve response times at Class II Airports.

There are no current plans to increase the amount of available funding.

This item will be included in CATSA’s 5-year review.

Any further action on airport policing will be pursued under the under the umbrella of the Aerodrome Technical Committee.

7.   Police assigned to airport duties receive mandatory, specialized training relevant to airport policing, aviation security and the airport environment.

Transport Canada Position
In 1998, Transport Canada established a working group to take action on a number of issues, including unruly passengers and interference with crew members. Transport Canada produced an information manual entitled Joining Forces and a presentation for delivery to police services in an effort to ensure consistent and firm response by police attending unruly passenger incidents.

With respect to police training specific to the airport environment and aviation security, police already receive training on search techniques for aircraft and on regulatory requirements for responses at screening checkpoints. Transport Canada has also provided awareness sessions on the use of explosives detection equipment.

Enhanced training standards and procedures for police assigned to airport duties have resulted in more consistent policing at airports across the country and allows police to respond to the challenges posed by the new security requirements.

Any further action on airport policing will be pursued under the under the umbrella of the Aerodrome Technical Committee.

8.  Consultative mechanisms on airport policing across Canada be established and funded by the Government of Canada:

• either under Transport Canada or CATSA;
• to advise on aviation security policing requirements;
• to identify and share best practices in policing;
• to advise on training standards for airport policing;
• to produce accompanying training materials to meet Transport Canada standards; and
• to allow stakeholder input on airport policing operational, policy, and regulatory issues.

Transport Canada Position
TC and Stakeholders are jointly working on the Aviation Security Consultation Process. Any further action on airport policing will be pursued under the under the umbrella of the Aerodrome Technical Committee.

Transport Canada will fund its own activities in relation to consultations. Stakeholders will be asked to support their own participation.

9.  Transport Canada consider requiring policing standards for Class II and Other airports:

• in the areas of crime prevention and response, terrorism prevention and response, and minimum security requirements; and
• to assist airports in identifying required police resources (human and financial).

Transport Canada Position
Under existing aviation security regulations, only Class I facilities have enhanced policing requirements.

Lessons learned from the field-testing of enhanced policing at Class II airports (London and Kelowna) will help determine the final shape of a regulatory regime for Class II airports.

Any further action on airport policing will be pursued under the under the umbrella of the Aerodrome Technical Committee.

10.  Screener Training
A means to bring screening contractors together should be established to promote consistency in training, screening performance excellence, and a common understanding of standards.

Transport Canada Position
CATSA has complete responsibility relating to training and certification of screening officers. This recommendation has been referred to CATSA for additional follow-up. As part of Transport Canada’s oversight role, the department will continue to monitor compliance against regulatory standards.

The Designation Standards for screening Officers (DSSO) is an item on the Security Regulatory Plan for Spring/Summer 2006. Internal CATSA / TC discussions have taken place to review and update screening officers designation standards.

11.  Standards for qualifications of trainers of screeners be revised to incorporate changes in security measures.  

Transport Canada Position
CATSA has cancelled its contract with its training supplier, Galaxy Canada. All training and certification of Screening Officers is now prepared and delivered by internal CATSA staff. Requirements for trainers are being reviewed and implemented by CATSA. As part of Transport Canada’s regulatory and oversight role, the department will continue to have responsibility for development of regulatory standards and will monitor compliance against those standards.

12.  Mandatory training for trainers of screening officers be re-instituted.

Transport Canada Position
CATSA has complete responsibility relating to training and certification of screening officers. This recommendation has been referred to CATSA for additional follow-up. As part of Transport Canada’s oversight role, the department will continue to monitor compliance against regulatory standards.

13.  A mechanism for stakeholders to provide advice (to either Transport Canada or the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority) on training for screeners be established.

Transport Canada Position
Any comments or advice to TC on screener training may be pursued under the under the umbrella of the Security Screening Technical Committee or directly to CATSA for action

14.  Abilities skill sets required by trainers be reviewed and updated (i.e. to extend beyond equipment operation, screening procedures and customer service training to include training in conflict resolution and recognizing behavioral traits that indicate a need for a higher degree of screening, for example).

Transport Canada Position
CATSA now has full authority for the establishment of criteria respecting the qualifications, training and performance of screening contractors and screening officers. As part of Transport Canada’s regulatory and oversight role, the department will continue to have responsibility for development of regulatory standards and will monitor compliance against those standards.

15.  Communication and Coordination
An integrated approach to security, similar to the community-based “neighborhood watch” program, be incorporated into aviation security enhancements and training for airport and airline workers for recognizing and reporting suspicious situations.

Transport Canada Position
Transport Canada will continue to work with the airport community to develop an integrated approach to security.

Any further action on this item will be pursued under the under the umbrella of the Aerodrome Technical Committee.

16.  Each airport, in conjunction with airlines, police and/or security personnel, workers’ organizations and airport tenants should develop and coordinate a security communications system which ensures potential security issues are brought to the attention of appropriate personnel who will investigate and/or take action.

Transport Canada Position
During the September 11 crisis, Transport Canada was able to capitalize on well-established, cooperative working relationships within the aviation security community. As part of its commitment to enhance security awareness in the airport environment, Transport Canada will continue to work with the airport community to develop and coordinate enhancements to security communications.

Any further action on this item will be pursued under the under the umbrella of the Aerodrome Technical Committee.

17.  General Aviation
General Aviation security measures for flight schools and fixed base operators which are voluntary in the United States and have been adopted in the United States be considered for adoption in Canada, and that those measures which can be implemented immediately be identified.

Transport Canada Position
Transport Canada agrees that security measures for flight schools and fixed base operators should be considered for General Aviation. Transport Canada will be reviewing General Aviation security in Canada, based on an assessment of threat and risk. This includes a review of measures adopted in the United States as well as the regimes applied to General Aviation in other countries.

This issue is in the Policy Development Group and will be updated at the appropriate technical committees.

18 .  Canadian Air Carrier Protective Program
The Canadian Air Carrier Protective Program of armed RCMP members on board aircraft should be developed in consultation with subject matter experts in order to address aircraft operational and technical issues. Subject matter experts should include: ACPA; ALPA; Air Operators; RCMP; Peel Regional Police; Ottawa Police Service; Calgary Police Service; ATAC; AQTA; Transport Canada (Civil Aviation); CUPE; Canadian Labour Congress; CAW; and CAC.

Transport Canada Position
The Program is in operation. A meeting was held in October facilitated by TC between the RCMP and interested AGAS members to discuss the relationship between the APO program, cabin security and crew information. Based on feedback from the October 2005 meeting, follow-up activities have been undertaken by the RCMP and further action will be pursued under the umbrella of the Air Carrier Security Technical Committee.

19.  Prohibited Items
Discussions take place with interested parties with a view to harmonizing prohibited items lists on an international basis, without compromising the existing Canadian list.

Transport Canada Position
Any further action on this item will be pursued under the under the umbrella of the Security Screening Technical Committee for discussion.

20.  Airport Perimeter Security
The issue of airport perimeter security, including (but not limited to) physical traffic barriers in front of terminal buildings, police patrols in the vicinity of an aerodrome, and perimeter fencing be re-examined with the objective of re-assessing the adequacy of current standards and/or practices, as they apply to the different classification of aerodromes.

Transport Canada Position
Transport Canada is reviewing and updating the security classification of airports with the goal of optimizing the balance between security and facilitation. This review will take into consideration various threat and risk factors.

This issue is in the Policy Development Group and will be updated at the appropriate technical committees.

21.   Future Consultations
Recognizing that the working group has not been able to fully discuss all of the issues identified in its “preliminary list,” nor those identified and submitted to the working group by CUPE, it is recommended that these issues be addressed at some future date in the context of a more permanent consultative mechanism, as set out in Recommendation 1.

Transport Canada Position
The Air Carrier Security, Aerodrome Security and the Security Screening Technical Committees created under AGAS will now be the focal point for stakeholders to submit aviation security related issues to TC via the consultation secretariat in SEP.