The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Environment and Minister responsible for Southern Alberta announces $95.7 million for Air Cargo Security.

May 24, 2010

CALGARY — Ministers Jim Prentice, John Baird, James Moore, Peter MacKay, Christian Paradis and Vic Toews today announced another vital step forward to ensuring Canada’s aviation system is one of the safest and most efficient, and meets the highest standards in the world. The new initiative will help to ensure that air cargo shipments are resilient to the threat of terrorism and builds on all the measures put into place since 2006 to enhance the safety and security of air travellers.

The six federal ministers made the announcement at airports in six cities across Canada, led by Canada’s Transport Minister John Baird at Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson International Airport. Environment Minister Jim Prentice also made the announcement in Calgary, along with Canadian Heritage and Official Languages Minister James Moore in Vancouver, Defence Minister Peter MacKay in Halifax, Natural Resources Minister Christian Paradis in Montreal and Public Safety Minister Vic Toews in Winnipeg.

“Our government is unwavering in our determination to keep all Canadians safe and secure. That is why, since 2006, we have been taking important and necessary steps to meet this goal,” said Minister Prentice. “We must remember that terrorism is not just something that happens somewhere else to someone else. Canada must prepare and remain vigilant. Today’s announcement to enhance air cargo screening is yet another step towards ensuring the safety and security of air travellers.”

“The fact is, our government does not tolerate terrorist and security breaches, and we will be a partner in defending freedom and democracy in the world,” said Minister Baird. “Our government is determined to keep Canadians and those who use our airways safe and secure.”

Our government has worked to prevent global terrorism, strengthen aviation security and protect the safety of air travellers through actions and measures including:

• the new Passenger Protect Program to keep people who may pose an immediate security threat from boarding commercial flights;
• establishing an information-sharing agreement with the Royal Mounted Canadian Police to conduct more extensive criminal background checks of workers with access to secure areas at Canada’s airports;
• legislation to help starve terrorists of financing; and
• openly condemning groups with links to terrorism, and working with the United Nations and our allies to resist and prevent terrorism.

Additionally, in the weeks following the attempted terrorist attack on December 25, 2009, on a flight bound for Detroit, the Government of Canada took further steps to strengthen aviation security by announcing:

• strengthened explosives trace detection, full-body scanners and the intention to develop a passenger behaviour observation program;
• Canada’s involvement in multi-national discussions on global aviation security;
• funding of $1.5 billion over five years to help the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) strengthen the security of our aviation system and protect air travellers; and
• a full review of the spending, efficiency and structure of CATSA.

Today’s announcement, the Air Cargo Security Program, is a $95.7-million investment to be phased in over five years and builds on the air cargo plan unveiled by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in June 2006.

The program will ensure that those companies screening cargo have received thorough security checks and that all cargo screening is completed and verified at the highest standards using the most effective technologies. Finally, that screening is fully compatible with other trading partners, including the United States.

These measures will further protect Canadians while helping exporters move cargo in a secure, timely and efficient way, and will help solidify Canada’s reputation as a strong partner in combating global terrorism.

Attached are backgrounders with further information about the Air Cargo Security Program and Canada’s history of aviation security.