No. H058/04 For release October 15, 2004 MONTREAL - Transport Canada and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) today announced the beginning of the implementation phase of a new restricted area identification card. Through the use of biometrics, this card will enhance the restricted area pass system currently in place at Canada's twenty-nine major airports. Also announced today is a pilot project to deploy new document screening equipment to detect explosives at pre-board screening checkpoints. Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre made the announcements at Montreal - Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, along with CATSA president and chief executive officer, Jacques Duchesneau. Transport Canada and CATSA have worked together to develop these projects, which will use biometrics for the new restricted area identification card and test new explosives detection document screening equipment at strategic airports across the country. "The Government of Canada is committed to continuously enhancing the security of our aviation system," said Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre. "These projects will continue to ensure Canada's place as one of the world leaders in aviation security, and build on one of my key priorities as Minister of Transport." "Since its creation in April 2002, CATSA has been working to ensure that Canada's air transportation security system is among the best in the world. The new equipment deployed today is further evidence of that commitment, one that has seen us deploy over 1,000 new pieces of security screening equipment over the past two years," said Mr. Duchesneau. Canada already has an established airport restricted area pass system. This project will build on that foundation by deploying restricted area identification cards, which will use biometrics to support issuance, verification, cancellation and tracking of restricted identification cards. To gain access privileges to an airport's restricted area, cardholders will be required to have either their fingerprint or iris scanned by biometric readers at individual airports. Operational trials are underway at Vancouver International and Kelowna International airports, and will begin at Montreal - Pierre Elliott Trudeau International and Charlottetown airports shortly. The pilot project to deploy new document screening equipment will test for traces of explosives on passenger documentation such as boarding passes. This new explosives detection equipment will be installed at different points in the pre-board screening process to determine what location is best suited to ensure security and facilitate the efficient processing of passengers. Operational trials will begin in Ottawa next week. The explosives detection pilot project will be carried out in addition to current screening requirements and processes. Passengers will still be required to have their carry-on belongings searched and their electronic devices will still be subject to screening. CATSA's mission is to protect the public by securing critical elements of the air transportation system as assigned by government. As a federal Crown corporation, it is accountable to the Minister of Transport for the delivery of consistent, effective and professional security services at or above the standards set by Transport Canada regulations. - 30 - Contacts: Irène Marcheterre Director of Communications Office of the Minister, Ottawa Transport Canada (613) 991-0700 Renée Fairweather Director of Communications Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, Ottawa (613) 998-4527 Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada. This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities. BACKGROUNDER LAUNCH OF TWO ENHANCED SECURITY PROJECTS Transport Canada and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) will begin the first phase of implementation for a new restricted area identification card. Through the use of biometrics, this card will enhance the restricted area pass system currently in place at Canada's twenty-nine major airports. The second project involves a pilot deployment of new document screening equipment to detect explosives at pre-board screening checkpoints. Restricted Area Identification Card The Restricted Area Identification Card (RAIC) is a complex, advanced addition to aviation security. It is unique in that it incorporates human biology and advanced technology to verify accurately individuals accessing restricted areas. Biometrics identify and authenticate a person's identity by measuring a physical characteristic such as fingerprint and/or iris pattern. The first phase of implementation began at Vancouver International and Kelowna International airports, and will begin at Montreal - Pierre Elliott Trudeau International and Charlottetown airports shortly. This project follows an analysis of advanced and evolving security practices and technologies for airport facilities and systems conducted on behalf of Transport Canada and CATSA. The analysis studied practices in other countries and security environments, examined various technologies and systems (such as biometrics) and considered how to best apply them to Canada's aviation security system. The RAIC will build on the existing Canadian airport Restricted Area Pass system - a system already considered one of the best in the world. Transport Canada and CATSA have been working in partnership with airport authorities to develop this enhanced card system which will use biometrics technology to support the issuance, verification, cancellation and tracking of restricted area identification cards. This project will deploy two different technologies - iris and fingerprint scanners - and will be installed at Canada's twenty-nine major airports over the next several months. Airport personnel being issued the card will continue to be subject to access control requirements and background security checks. Individual airport authorities will retain responsibility for issuing the pass and for determining who has access to the restricted areas. The RAIC will replace the actual Restricted Area Pass currently being used by airport workers across the country. The twenty-nine airports that will be using RAIC are: Calgary International; Charlottetown; Edmonton International; Fredericton; Gander International; Halifax International; Iqaluit; Kelowna International; London International; Moncton International; Montreal - Pierre Elliott Trudeau International; Montreal-Mirabel International; Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International; Prince George; Quebec - Jean Lesage International; Regina; Saint John; St. John's International; Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International; Greater Sudbury; Thunder Bay International; Toronto City Centre; Toronto Lester B. Pearson International; Vancouver International; Victoria International; Whitehorse; Windsor; Winnipeg International; Yellowknife. Explosive Detection Document Scanner This second project will evaluate the use of trace explosives detection on passenger documentation such as boarding passes. Under the project, new explosives detection document screening equipment will be tested and deployed at pre-board screening checkpoints. This new equipment represents an additional layer of security, one that has the potential to further enhance aviation security in Canada by scanning a passenger's documentation, for example a boarding pass, for traces of explosives materials. During the pilot testing, the new equipment will be installed at different points in the screening process to determine what location is best suited to ensure security and facilitate the efficient processing of passengers. Operational trials will begin in Ottawa shortly and are scheduled to take three months to complete. A complete review and evaluation of the project will follow to determine the feasibility of expanding the program to airports across the country. The new equipment deployed as part of the pilot project does not take the place of current screening equipment or processes. Passengers will still be required to have their carry-on belongings including electronic devices searched by explosive detection/X-ray equipment or by hand. October 2004
