You can use this page to find information on planned regulatory initiatives that Transport Canada expects to bring forward over the next two years. The full versions of each plan are published in the Canada Gazette. It also lists public consultations that might interest you and departmental contact information for each planned initiative.
On this page
- Initiative(s) planned for the Canada Gazette, Part I
- Regulations amending the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, 2012 (Various amendments) and the Regulations amending CATSA Aerodrome Designation Regulations
- Notice of intent (Disclosure)
- Air Carrier Security Program
- Regulations amending the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, 2012 and making a consequential amendment to another Regulations (Defensive Equipment, Firearms and Ammunition)
Initiative(s) planned for the Canada Gazette, Part I
Regulations amending the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, 2012 (Various amendments) and the Regulations amending CATSA Aerodrome Designation Regulations
Enabling act
Aeronautics Act (R.S.C, 1985, c. A-2)
Description
The proposed regulatory amendments to the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, 2012 would accomplish the following objectives:
Improve Efficiencies
-
Provide cost-savings for air carriers by transferring the responsibility for cutting locks/seals on checked baggage from air carriers to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority.
-
Provide cost-savings for airports by removing some of the information that needs to be included on restricted area identity cards issued to airport workers.
Quality Control
-
Update and clarify definitions and requirements.
-
Formalize existing procedures.
-
Better align identity requirements with the Secure Air Travel Regulations.
-
Ensure that the Minister of Transport maintains an oversight role for identity screening.
International Standards
-
Introduce standards for screening officer training and certification to better align with international standards and best practices.
-
Introduce new requirements for Canadian Air Transport Security Authority to establish and implement a security program.
The CATSA Aerodrome Designation Regulations include a list of designated aerodromes where the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority is mandated to provide security screening services. Some airport names in the schedule of these regulations do not match those in the schedules of the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, 2012. Furthermore, the CATSA Aerodrome Designation Regulations are missing the alphanumeric code, called the International Civil Aviation Organization location indicator that designates each airport around the world. Amendments to both regulations will ensure that schedules are aligned.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
Transport Canada expects no major impacts to Canadians, including businesses.
Some proposed amendments would benefit air carriers as the responsibility to cut locks on locked checked baggage that requires additional screening would be transferred from air carriers to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority.
Some proposed amendments related to restricted area identity cards would benefit operators of aerodromes by reducing the number of cards that need to be printed.
The majority of the proposed amendments would have a direct impact on the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority.
Regulatory cooperation (domestic and international)
The proposed amendments would:
-
align some of the identity screening requirements with the changes that were made to the Secure Air Travel Regulations
-
meet international standards
-
align Canada’s locked checked baggage screening procedures those used in the United States.
Consultations
Transport Canada held consultations during the development of this proposal in 2019-2020 with aviation security stakeholders such as Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, the Canadian Airports Council and air carriers.
Transport Canada also held consultations within the Transport Canada Aviation Security Directorate.
The last time Transport Canada consulted the public about the proposal to transfer the responsibility for cutting locks and seals on locked checked baggage from air carriers to the designated screening authority was in June 2019. Transport Canada used an online platform that included a survey and discussion questions.
People who contributed to the consultation were members of the public and people from the aviation industry. The results of the consultation were extremely positive and supportive of the proposal.
Transport Canada plans to pre-publish the proposed regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in mid-2021 with a 30-day comment period.
Departmental contact information
Mario Boily
Executive Director, Program Development
Aviation Security
Transport Canada
Telephone: 613-990-6445
Email: mario.boily@tc.gc.ca
First included in Transport Canada’s Forward Regulatory Plan: August 2020
Notice of intent (Disclosure)
Enabling act
Aeronautics Act (R.S.C, 1985, c. A-2)
Description
Transport Canada decided that a review of all confidential security measures to identify provisions was no longer confidential for the purpose of disclosure into the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, 2012.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
Transport Canada expects no major impacts to Canadians, including businesses.
The regulatory requirements that Transport Canada is disclosing are not new. So, disclosing the provisions won’t have any impact to businesses, or Canadians overall. The regulatory requirements will have a positive benefit because they will bring more transparent security requirements.
Regulatory cooperation (domestic and international)
By reviewing and disclosing security measures that Transport Canada has decided no longer meet the confidentiality test, Canada’s aviation security legislative framework will be more transparent. This will also show better alignment with other international partners’ requirements.
Consultations
Transport Canada will have to consult with foreign partners to ensure that the security measures that Transport Canada discloses that are not considered confidential anymore as part of the review, and do not impact on key international partners in a negative way.
Transport Canada plans to pre-publish the proposed changes in Canada Gazette, Part I, in early 2023, for a 30-day public comment period.
Departmental contact information
Mario Boily
Executive Director, Program Development
Aviation Security
Transport Canada
Telephone: 613- 990-6445
Email: mario.boily@tc.gc.ca
First included in Transport Canada’s Forward Regulatory Plan: August 2020
Air Carrier Security Program
Enabling act
Aeronautics Act (R.S.C, 1985, c. A-2)
Description
Canada is continuing to work on formalized requirements for the Air Carrier Security Program as part of Transport Canada’s ongoing regulatory review process.
The work will advance and align with the work Canada has already completed on Aerodrome and Air Cargo Security Programs. At the same time, it will ensure that Canada complies with the International Civil Aviation Organization recommendations.
Policy work to identify and align with existing best practices and regulatory requirements will continue through fiscal year 2020-2021.
Canada has indicated its support to develop a common international template through its ongoing engagement with the International Air Transport Association in the creation of the document. Transport Canada will continue to work with International Air Transport Association on this initiative as it progresses.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
The proposed amendments would require air carriers to establish, implement and maintain security programs. Many Canadian air carriers currently have Air Carrier Security Programs in place to meet international requirements, reducing the impact.
Regulatory cooperation (domestic and international)
Developing a Canadian Air Carrier Security Programs would ensure that Canada remains compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization recommendations, following Annex 17.
Consultations
Transport Canada plans to pre-publish the proposed changes in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in mid-2023 with a 30-day comment period.
Departmental contact information
Mario Boily
Executive Director, Program Development
Aviation Security
Transport Canada
Telephone: 613- 990-6445
Email: mario.boily@tc.gc.ca
First included in Transport Canada’s Forward Regulatory Plan: August 2020
Regulations amending the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, 2012 and making a consequential amendment to another Regulations (Defensive Equipment, Firearms and Ammunition)
Enabling act
Aeronautics Act (R.S.C, 1985, c. A-2)
Description
The proposed regulatory amendments aims to codify in the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, 2012, the existing exemptions that permit law enforcement officers, from the Canada Border Services Agency, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Environment and Climate Change Canada and Parks Canada, to carry defensive equipment and firearms under specific circumstances within airports and, in some cases, on flights. As a consequential amendment, there will be a change done to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations.
This comes from a February 6, 2019, Government of Canada direction.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
Transport Canada expects no major impacts to Canadians, including businesses.
Regulatory cooperation (domestic and international)
The proposed amendments would implement commitments to the United States government, as per the Preclearance Act, 2016 and the Agreement on Land, Rail, Marine and Air Transport Preclearance between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States.
Consultations
Pre-consultations have occurred since July 2020 where all Departments have been presented with the policy intent and have been involved throughout the fall and beginning of winter on the draft of the regulatory amendments.
Transport Canada plans to pre-publish the proposed changes in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in late-2021 with a 30-day comment period.
Selected groups of stakeholders will be consulted based on specific subject matter.
Departmental contact information
Mario Boily
Executive Director, Program Development
Aviation Security
Transport Canada
Telephone: 613- 990-6445
Email: mario.boily@tc.gc.ca
First included in Transport Canada’s Forward Regulatory Plan: August 2020