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After 9/11, the use of private companies to screen passengers became a point of contention. Inconsistency of standards and screeners' work was a major concern.
The Canadian government acted quickly to take passenger screening out of the hands of airlines and into a government-controlled system. This change would amount to a savings of about $70 million a year for the airlines, according to the 2002 federal budget. Taxpayer's money now absorbs these costs.
,
and created the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA)
to assume responsibility for certain air transport security functions,
including screening.
CATSA took over responsibility for passenger and employee screening in April 2002. It continues to hire private companies to screen passengers, but oversees training and equipment available to these screeners.
is
a crown corporation, governed by a board of directors and responsible
to Transport
Canada . Transport Canada sets the regulations for CATSA.
CATSA's mission 'is to protect the public by securing critical elements of the air transportation system as assigned by the government.' CATSA's stated goal is to deliver 'consistent, effective and professional service at or above the standards set by Transport Canada regulations.' This involves screening passengers and the bags they are carrying before they enter the secure areas of airports to board planes.
CATSA is responsible for screening all passengers and their bags before they
enter secure areas of the airport.
Hold bag screening: CATSA is responsible for purchasing and deploying machines that screen checked luggage for explosives. CATSA also oversees training and standards for the screeners that use these machines to scan checked bags for explosives and other prohibited items.
Non-passenger screening: Transport Canada requires CATSA to perform random screening on people who work at the airports. This means employees may undergo a screening process similar to what passengers experience before entering the secure area of an airport. They must also undergo an ID check. CATSA says it screens about 2,500 employees a day, but there are over 100,000 employees who have access to secure areas in Canada's airports.
The Restricted Area Identification Card: CATSA is responsible for implementing an identification card program for all persons with access to secure areas of Canada's airports.
Airport Policing: CATSA oversees the disbursement
of federal money to airports for policing. It also oversees the management
of the Air Carrier Protective Program. Like the U.S.
Sky Marshall Program , Royal
Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers are put aboard selected flights.
The price tag for CATSA and its operations for five years: $1.9 billion