4 Transportation Safety and Security

TRANSPORTATION SECURITY

Introduction

The events of September 11, 2001, fundamentally changed how transportation security is viewed and delivered in all modes of transportation. During 2002, Transport Canada introduced new security initiatives and continued to implement security enhancements announced in 2001, following the terrorist attacks in the United States. As Figure 4-1 illustrates, a majority of Canadians feel a high level of confidence in the safety and security of the transportation modes. This is in part due to a high level of awareness of security initiatives. Figure 4-4 shows the level of awareness of various security initiatives undertaken by the Government of Canada.

FIGURE 4-4: SECURITY ACTIVITIES RECALLED AND MOST AWARE OF BY CANADIANS
(If aware) What activities have the Government of Canada taken to improve public security?

DK/NR = Do not know/No response
CSIS = Canadian Security Intelligence Service

Source: EKOS Research Associates

Enhancing Transportation Security — 2002 Initiatives

During 2002, Transport Canada introduced a number of comprehensive measures to strengthen the security of the national transportation system. Transport Canada worked in collaboration with other government departments and industry stakeholders to introduce and implement many new security initiatives in addition to the already rigorous security standards, policies and processes in all modes of transportation and in the transportation of dangerous goods.

Aviation Security

In 2002, Transport Canada introduced a number of initiatives to further enhance the safety and security of aviation. As part of these initiatives, the federal government created the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) in April 1, 2002, to further enhance aviation security. In 2002, the CATSA assumed responsibility for key aviation security services, including:

• Pre-board screening at 89 designated airports.
• Contracting with existing screening providers and providing upgraded training to 3,000 existing screening officers.
• Initiating a progressive program for selecting, training and certifying new screening officers to continue to uphold the delivery of consistent, effective and highly professional service at or above the standards set by the federal government.
• Taking responsibility for the deployment and lifecycle management of the Explosives Detections Systems (EDS) program. As announced in December 2001, the federal government committed $1 billion over five years for the purchase, deployment and maintenance of explosive detection systems at Canadian airports.

During 2002, Transport Canada also implemented legislative and regulatory amendments. The Public Safety Act was introduced to prevent terrorist attacks, respond quickly to significant threats, and clarify and update aviation security authorities. Also in 2002, security-related amendments to the Aeronautics Act allowed passengers and crew information to be sent directly from an air carrier to a foreign state for security purposes. Transport Canada also participated in and contributed to the Anti-Terrorism Act, which amends the Criminal Code and other Acts to combat terrorism. Transport Canada also announced new regulations to aviation security that mandated the installation of internal locking devices to flight compartment doors by May 1, 2002, and new intrusion resistance requirements by April 2003.

Further enhancements include:

• Allocating $3 million for additional security inspectors to increase inspection, monitoring and testing of the air transport security system and to oversee and enhance security requirements nationally.
• Increasing Transport Canada's capacity to identify potential threats and the means to address them through strengthened intelligence networks with other departments, additional analysts, and more advanced communications and related technologies.

Marine Security

Key initiatives implemented in 2002 include:

• The St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes Initiative, through which Canada and the United States agreed to implement enhanced security-screening procedures for ships in these waterways. As part of this agreement, the two countries share information and have increased security boardings on foreign commercial ships entering the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes.
• Enhancements to boarding protocols, which have been refined to improve response to any threats before ships arrive at ports. As such, arrival notification for vessels entering Canadian waters has been increased from 24 to 96 hours.

Key departments and agencies working with Transport Canada on marine initiatives include:

• Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA)
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)
• Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS)
• Canadian Coast Guard (CCG)
• Department of National Defence (DND)
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
• Solicitor General

During 2002, Transport Canada, in consultation with port facilities, operators, associations and other government departments, identified further enhancements to marine security. As a result, in January 2003, the Government of Canada announced several new initiatives, such as:

• increasing surveillance and tracking of marine traffic, including near real-time identification and tracking of vessels in Canadian waters;
• screening passengers and crew on board vessels;
• installing new detection equipment in ports to screen containers for radiation;
• providing new funding to enhance the RCMP Emergency Response Teams and establish permanent investigator positions at major ports;
• enhancing collaboration and coordination among government departments and agencies;
• making further improvements to port security by establishing restricted areas and requiring people working within these areas to undergo thorough background checks;
• developing and implementing new security requirements in line with recent IMO recommendations;
• participating in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code; and
• drafting a Code of Practice, by the International Labour Organization (ILO), which covers security in port areas not covered by the IMO's ISPS Code through the ILO Maritime Security Group.

Surface Transportation Security

In terms of road transportation security within Canada, Transport Canada formed the National Road Security Team (NRST), which includes the Canadian Trucking Alliance and the provinces. The NRST was organized to address security issues related to infrastructure, drivers, vehicles, liaised bridge and tunnel operators, and coordinated federal involvement related to border delays. The NRST reviews security issues with its U.S. counterparts, and is involved in the development of a strategy for strengthening driver's licence security identification.

Additionally, Canada and the United States signed the Smart Border Declaration to serve as a framework for dispositions to secure the flow of people, goods and infrastructure and exchange enforcement information. During 2002, progress and enhancements of this initiative have included the Canadian-U.S. joint agreement on detailed bi-national workplans to protect shared critical infrastructure in the energy, telecommunications and transportation sectors.

Transportation of Dangerous Goods

New and enhanced security initiatives were launched in 2002 relevant to the transportation of dangerous goods (TDG), including the development of the Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Initiative. The intent of this program is to secure access to trained industrial emergency response teams capable of providing CBRN product-related assistance to first responders in the event of a terrorist incident involving dangerous goods and other CBRN agents.

Going Forward

In maintaining the integrity of the national transportation system, Transport Canada regularly monitors the security of the system and will take immediate action if warranted. Transport Canada will continue to work with government, industry and other stakeholders to implement new security initiatives and those introduced since September 11, 2001, in all modes of transportation, the transportation of dangerous goods, and critical infrastructure protection.

Aviation

Transport Canada will continue strengthening Canada's aviation security regulatory regime, including the development of performance standards for explosives detection systems. Transport Canada will work with the CATSA and other stakeholders to develop and implement an enhanced restricted area pass system and an expanded program for screening non-passengers who require access to restricted areas at airports. Additionally, Transport Canada will enhance its consultation process for soliciting input from key stakeholders to include a more structured approach to planning and developing enhancements to aviation security while maintaining the ability to move immediately to respond to threats where such action is warranted.

Marine

Transport Canada will continue to implement those initiatives introduced in 2002 affecting marine security. In the upcoming years, Transport Canada will undertake further initiatives in this area, including:

• amending the marine security regulatory framework in order to comply with the new marine security requirements under SOLAS and the ISPS Code;
• implementing a new Marine Facilities Restricted Area Access Program for workers at key marine facilities; and
• establishing a Marine Security Oversight and Enforcement Program.

Surface

As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance surface transportation security, Transport Canada will continue to work with industry and other stakeholders to initiate and improve security features in this area. This will include reflecting Canada's perspective and the realities of transborder trade with the United States, through the assessment of security requirements in rail and trucking.

Transportation of Dangerous Goods

The transportation of dangerous goods will continue to be a vital issue relevant to transportation security, particularly in light of the incidents of September 11, 2001. In the coming year and as part of its planning process, Transport Canada will continue with the development of the CBRN Response Initiative, including integrating this initiative into the National Counter-Terrorism Plan.

Critical Infrastructure Protection

Canada and Canadians depend on a network of physical and computer-based infrastructures that provide essential energy, transportation and communications, as well as safety, financial, health and emergency response services. These infrastructures — collectively referred to as National Critical Infrastructure, or NCI — are critical to the health, safety, security and economic well-being of Canadians and to the effective functioning of governments. NCI includes physical structures (bridges, canals and pipelines) and information technology-based networks and services (in the financial, telecommunications and energy sectors, for example).

The Government of Canada, through the Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Preparedness (OCIPEP) is initiating the National Critical Infrastructure Assurance Program (NCIAP). Transport Canada will contribute to the development of the NCIAP in order to help protect Canada's key transportation facilities, services, assets and information.

Transportation Safety

Transportation Security