The Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, the Honourable Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety, and the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, issued this statement today to provide an update on actions the Government of Canada and industry partners are taking to reduce wait times at Canadian airports:
"The Government of Canada recognizes the impact that significant wait times at some Canadian airports are having on travellers. We are working with airports, air carriers, baggage handlers, and other partners to implement solutions to reduce delays as we approach the summer peak season. The goal is to streamline services for inbound and outbound passengers, so Canadians can travel smoothly and safely as the sector recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Our efforts are having an impact - as wait times for security continue to decrease at all major airports. While we are seeing some issues at Toronto Pearson International Airport that we have raised with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, the vast majority of airports across the country are not seeing similar delays. Even then, thanks to the efforts of Pearson Airport, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), and air sector workers, only three per cent of all passengers at Pearson and Vancouver International Airport are now waiting more than 30 minutes in line.
"The Government of Canada, in collaboration with the air industry, has taken the following action in response to airport delays:
- Transport Canada (TC), the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), CATSA, and key industry partners have created a task force to find solutions to address bottlenecks at pre-board security screening and pre-clearance departure checkpoints, and customs halls.
- The number of CATSA screening officers has steadily increased and is almost 100 percent of summer targets at both Toronto Pearson International Airport and Vancouver International Airport, where wait-times have been greatest. Hiring continues, with 644 new CATSA recruits in the four largest airports, and 865 total across Canada. Almost 2,000 applications for screening positions are being processed.
