STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITIES, LAWRENCE CANNON,
ON INCREASED SECURITY MEASURES FOR AIRPORTS AND AIR TRAVEL

OTTAWA, ONTARIO
AUGUST 10, 2006

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

This morning British law enforcement and national security agencies arrested more than 20 individuals as part of a major counter-terrorism operation in that country.

These individuals are suspected of carrying out terrorist activities using explosives on flights destined for North America.

As a result of security activities this morning, officials in both the United Kingdom and in the United States raised their security levels for flights between their respective countries.

Transport Canada also reacted swiftly and implemented additional security measures here in Canada.

Earlier today we put in place several additional security measures to continue to ensure Canada's aviation system remains safe and secure.

We did this after assessing the information provided to us on the events in the United Kingdom and the aviation security measures being taken by both the United Kingdom and the United States.

We have placed the aviation system on heightened vigilance. We have requested that airports, airlines and CATSA - the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority - practice increased vigilance with strict adherence to security requirements.

Security at Canadian airports is being tightened - some of these measures will be visible, some will not.

The most significant changes passengers will notice, are measures to prohibit passengers carrying onboard containers of liquids or gels of any size.
This measure was put in place early this morning for flights to and from the United Kingdom and the United States.

This was followed by a measure effective 12 noon prohibiting passengers from carrying containers of any of size of liquids or gels on board any flights departing from or within Canada.

Liquids or gels prohibited on all flights in Canada will include: all beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, toothpaste, hair gel and other items of similar consistency.

Passengers may bring on board baby formula, breast milk or juice if a baby or small child is travelling with the passenger.

Prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger's ticket, insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines will be allowed.

These measures will be kept in place as long as it is necessary to protect the safety of all Canadians.

Because of these added security measures, Canadians travelling to North America or Europe can expect some delays at airports.

August is the peak month for air travel in Canada. Based on our current information, approximately 3,000 daily flights and 160,000 passengers board flights on a typical August day and may be affected by the new security measures.

We are continuing to monitor the implementation of these measures across the country.

I can report that operations are running smoothly and we are not experiencing above normal delays at this time at Halifax, Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver.

I want to thank our partners in aviation security in airports, the airlines and CATSA for their excellent work. I also want to thank Canadians and the travelling public for their patience and understanding.

I would like to assure Canadians that the safety and security of citizens are this government's top priorities.

I also want to remind Canadians that although new precautions have been put into place, it is still safe to fly. I encourage all of you to do so.

Canadian officials are also working closely and are in constant contact with officials in the United Kingdom, United States, and with our other partners around the world to protect the safety and security of our citizens.

To this effect, we are working in coordination with the International Civil Aviation Organization.

A conference call was also organized this morning with provinces and territories to bring them up to date on the measures that we have introduced.

As we have said on many occasions, Canada is not immune to the threat of terrorism. Through the work international intelligence partners, acts of violence by extremist groups may have been prevented.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to take this opportunity to commend British officials for their work.

I would also like to thank Canadians for their understanding and patience.

Thank you.