Message of the Day - Protecting the safety and security of Canadians

January 05, 2010

Today, Ministers Merrifield and Baird announced new safety and security measures for Canadian airports.
 

• Protecting the safety and security of Canadians is one of the government’s top priorities.
• The memories of Air India, the events of September 11, 2001, and the bombings in Madrid and London are still fresh in our minds.  Yet again, we were reminded of the ruthless nature of terrorism this past Christmas Day when a terrorist incident occurred on a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit.
• The government is always looking for new technology and methods to further improve the security of the transportation system and travellers.
• The government is purchasing 44 full body scanners to enhance security at Canadian airports.  The scanners will be deployed in major Canadian airports beginning this month.
• The technology used in the scanners has been proven safe and they have received approval from the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
• With the new measures announced today, the government is ensuring that Canadian officials have the tools they need to protect the safety and security of air travellers.
• In order to balance safety and security with safeguards to the privacy of Canadians, travellers will have the option to use the full body scanners as an alternative to a physical search, which will speed up the screening process.