The Conservative government has announced plans to institute a no-fly list to bolster aircraft security.

The Passenger Protect program will require all passengers to show a government-issued ID to board commercial flights by 2007.

“Recent events such as the alleged terror plot in the United Kingdom highlight the importance of a program like Passenger Protect,” Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day said Friday. “We must remember that Canada is not immune to the threat of terrorism and we must remain vigilant.”

The creation of the "specified persons list" will be made according to guidelines focused on aviation security, and include:

• Individuals who are or have been involved in a terrorist group, and who, it can reasonably be suspected, will endanger the security of any aircraft or the safety of the public, passengers or crew.
• Individuals who have been convicted of one or more serious and life-threatening crimes against aviation security.
• Individuals who have been convicted of one or more serious and life-threatening offences.

Passengers will need one piece of government-issued photo identification that shows name, date of birth and gender — such as a driver’s licence or a passport — or two pieces of non-photo government ID, with at least one piece showing name, date of birth and gender.

Identification of persons over the age of 12 will be checked against the specified persons list, and passengers will need to show identification both before a boarding pass is issued and after, when it will be checked at the boarding gate.

Passengers refused a boarding pass at a kiosk or online will be directed to an airline agent for in-person verification of government-issued identification.

Transport Canada will lead a group that includes members of the RCMP and CSIS to assess the no-fly list on a case-by-case basis.

The government is aiming to have the plan in place for Canadian domestic flights by early 2007, with international flights targeted for later that year.