Background
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) was created in 2002 as a Crown corporation governed by governed by a Board of Directors with expertise in aviation, transportation, security and intelligence. Operating at arms-length under the regulatory body of Transport Canada, CATSA reports to The Parliament of Canada through the Minister of Transport. For more information, please refer to the About us section on our website.
CATSA is subject to legislation, regulations and procedures in the way that it conducts business and screening. These Acts and Regulations include: the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority Act (CATSA Act); the Financial Administration Act; the Aeronautics Act; the CATSA Aerodrome Designation Regulations, the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, as well as the Security Screening Measures and other standard operating procedures.
Responsibilities
Responsibility for civil aviation security in Canada is shared among several federal government departments and agencies, as well as air carriers and airport operators. CATSA, as the civil aviation security screening authority for Canada, is regulated by Transport Canada, Canada’s designated national civil aviation security authority, pursuant to the standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
CATSA’s mission is to protect the public by securing critical elements of the air transportation system, as assigned by the Government of Canada. To achieve this, CATSA is mandated to conduct security screening in the following four areas: Pre-Board Screening; Hold Baggage Screening; Non-Passenger Screening; and Restricted Area Identity Card. For additional information see Security Screening.