A police officer patrols the departure concourse at the Montreal Trudeau airport in January. Transport Canada has eliminated funding for armed police patrols in eight of the country's busiest airports. A police officer patrols the departure concourse at the Montreal Trudeau airport in January. Transport Canada has eliminated funding for armed police patrols in eight of the country's busiest airports. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)

Transport Canada has eliminated funding for armed police patrols in eight of the country's busiest airports in a move industry observers say will likely leave passengers paying the shortfall.

The federal government had been paying $15.6 million a year for the police presence in airports required by federal rules.

But in a statement Friday, Transport Canada confirmed the funding was terminated on Jan. 1 of this year.

"As indicated in budget 2009, the airport policing program has been terminated as of Jan. 1, 2010, and responsibility for airport policing assistance programs has returned to the airports," Transport Canada spokeswoman Maryse Durette said.

"The government is continually evaluating its policies and adapting its approaches to best manage safety and security while also being mindful of taxpayers' dollars."

Transport Minister John Baird announced in February the federal government would put up $1.5 billion over the next five years to tighten airport security. But he also said Ottawa was going to increase security fees by about 50 per cent to pay for enhanced screening procedures.

At the time, Baird said the cost of improving technologies and for body scanners, security staff, explosives detection and passenger observation throughout Canada's 89 airports should be borne by those who use the services, instead of all taxpayers.

But aviation industry leaders said it's time for the federal government to stop talking about the critical need for airport security and start paying its fair share.

John McKenna, president and CEO of the Air Transport Association, said fees for security, landing and airport improvement are already taking their toll on passengers.

He said the industry is losing millions of dollars a year as Canadians drive across the border to take advantage of lower costs at American airports.