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4. A Decade of Improvements in Transportation Security since September 11, 2001

A Decade of Improvements in Transportation Security since September 11, 2001

Since the tragic incidents of September 11, 2001, Transport Canada has taken important steps to increase and strengthen aviation, marine and surface security. Canada's transportation security system continues to engage key national and international security partners. It is innovative, multi-layered, flexible, responsive to changing threats and risks, and focused on improving security to address new and emerging challenges.

Aviation security

Aviation security in Canada today is based on an integrated, multi-tiered approach that, to reduce risk, combines partnerships, the evaluation and exchange of information, police services, physical security, regulations and other legal instruments, training and the use of human and technical resources.

Canada's air transportation network is among the safest and most secure in the world, thanks to significant improvements to the aviation security system since September 11, 2001. One of the government's major responses to 9/11 was the creation of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) in 2002.

This federal Crown corporation plays an essential role in the security of travellers at Canadian airports by screening passengers and their belongings prior to boarding; screening checked bags to detect explosives and objects that pose a threat; and screening non-passengers entering restricted areas at airports.

Over the past decade, the Government of Canada has also taken the following aviation security measures:

• reinforcing cockpit doors to prevent unlawful intrusion;
• posting armed police officers on board certain flights;
• redesigning the section of the training program for flight attendants that deals with aviation security;
• increasing the number of screening officers at airports;
• screening passengers and their belongings using highly sophisticated detection equipment;
• implementing the Restricted Area Identity Card in Canadian airports to strengthen airport access control — the first dual-function biometric card (iris and fingerprint);
• improving security measures for liquids, aerosols and gels;
• creating a list of persons who may pose an immediate threat to aviation security and preventing them from boarding commercial aircraft;
• using body scanners to provide an alternative to manual pat-downs and to better detect dangerous objects concealed by passengers;
• developing enhanced requirements for airport security plans; and
• improving air cargo screening to ensure shipments are protected from the threat of terrorism — for example, screening companies are approved by Transport Canada and all cargo is screened to the highest standards using the most effective technologies.

Surface and Intermodal Security

In 2006, the government announced funding for Transit Secure, a contribution program that targets the high-volume passenger areas of commuter rail and urban transit. In total, $63 million in federal funding was provided to eligible operators of passenger rail and urban transit services across Canada to implement new and enhanced security systems such as closed circuit television, access control measures and security plans.

Transport Canada has been working since May 2007 with major rail, transit and intercity bus operators from across Canada and their primary associations (the Canadian Urban Transit Association and the Railway Association of Canada) to develop a series of voluntary security standards (codes of practice) and security guidance documents.

The government made legislative changes to meet the evolving threat. For instance, in 2007, Parliament passed the International Bridges and Tunnels Act, providing the federal government with the legislative authority to ensure effective oversight, including safety and security, of the existing 24 international vehicular bridges and tunnels and nine international railway bridges and tunnels, as well as any new international bridges or tunnels built in the future. With the legislation in place, the Minister of Transport has the authority to issue an emergency directive in response to a potential threat to the safety or security of any international bridge or tunnel.

Amendments were also made to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act in 2009, giving the federal government the legislative authority to ensure effective oversight, including security, with respect to the transportation of dangerous goods.

In November of 2007, the Minister of Transport and the Railway Association of Canada signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that reflects the core principles of a good security regime, including regular updates to risk assessments and security plans, drills and exercises, training and awareness, and incident reporting.

Marine Security

Transport Canada, through the Marine Security Program enforces the Marine Transportation Security Act to protect Canada and Canadians by safeguarding the integrity, efficiency and security of Canada's marine transportation system against unlawful interference, terrorist attacks, or use as a means to attack our allies.

Marine Security Program personnel conduct inspections, review and approve security plans, and work with stakeholders to assist them in meeting the requirements of the Marine Transportation Security Act and its regulations. Transport Canada conducts promotional, educational and awareness activities designed to ensure that the regulated community is aware of its legislative and regulatory responsibilities. If violations or non-compliance are found, the department uses a graduated enforcement approach and informs people or corporations when a problem exists, providing them with information and the opportunity to correct the problem. Where appropriate, enforcement actions, including the use of administrative monetary penalties, may be taken.

Transport Canada is working with other federal government departments to co-ordinate the government approach to marine security. In October 2001, the Interdepartmental Marine Security Working Group was established. This working group is chaired by Transport Canada and is comprised of 17 federal departments and agencies. It is mandated to co-ordinate federal responses to marine security issues, analyze our marine system for security gaps and address these gaps.

The Marine Transportation Security Regulations came into force on July 1, 2004, and provide a framework to detect security threats and take measures to prevent security incidents that could affect marine vessels and their facilities.

These regulations:

• set out roles and responsibilities for developing security plans and putting them into action;
• outline how security assessments should be conducted, establish adequate security protocols, and properly document and report incidents;
• enable Transport Canada to oversee and enforce marine transportation security; and
• address Canada's obligations to implement the International Maritime Organization's International Ship and Port Facility Security Code and align our regulatory approach with that of our major trading partners.

The Marine Security Contribution Program was a $115-million program to assist ports and port facilities with security enhancements to ensure compliance with the Marine Transportation Security Regulations. In 2006 the program was expanded to include domestic ferry operators. The program funded a total of 1,266 projects and included security enhancements such as fences, security cameras and modernizing perimeter security.

Established in 2004, Coastal Marine Security Operations Centres (MSOCs) have the authority and capacity to support a national response to perceived and real marine security threats to the country. MSOCs are located in Halifax/Dartmouth, Victoria and Niagara. The MSOCs are comprised of federal government departments and agencies responsible for marine security, asset support or maritime expertise. These centres have the authority and capacity to use all civilian and military resources necessary to detect, assess and support a co-ordinated response to a marine security threat or incident.

The Domestic Ferries Security Regulations came into force in December 2009 and take a risk-based approach to enhancing Canadian ferry security. They provide a framework to detect security threats and take measures to prevent security incidents that could affect domestic ferries and their facilities. The Domestic Ferries Security Regulations:

• set out operator and personnel roles and responsibilities for developing security plans and putting them into action;
• outline how security assessments should be conducted, establish adequate security protocols, and properly document and report incidents; and
• provide Transport Canada with a means of overseeing and enforcing domestic ferry service security.

Overall Security in Canada

To continue to ensure the security of Canadians, Transport Canada regularly evaluates and adjusts its measures and approach to security in light of threats and the requirements of our international partners.

Transport Canada works closely with international partners and allies, sharing information of interest, such as threat assessments, best practices and mitigation strategies to help develop harmonized and compatible security systems. This information is shared bilaterally, as well as with international forums such as the International Civil Aviation Organization.

In addition, the Aviation and Marine Transportation Security Clearance programs reduce the risk of security threats by preventing interference with the aviation and marine transportation system through background checks on employees who perform certain duties or who have access to certain restricted areas of airports and ports. These comprehensive background checks better protect Canada's transportation infrastructure, employees and passengers against insider threats and reduce the risk of having individuals linked to organized crime working at airports and ports.

Transport Canada takes measures to help ensure transportation security during major events hosted in Canada. For example, the department took steps to enhance transportation security during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and Paralympics and the 2010 G-8 / G-20 summits in Canada. The department continues to recognize that emergency preparedness plays an important role in transportation security. For this reason, the department conducts and participates in government- and industry-led exercises on air, marine and surface security, to ensure the department and industry are ready to react in emergency situations.

For information about other Government of Canada safety and security initiatives in the aftermath of 9/11, go to Public Safety Canada's website at www.publicsafety.gc.ca. 

September 2011

Date modified:

2011-09-26

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