Legislative and Regulatory Frameworks
Under provisions of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority Act (the CATSA Act), and within the framework of the Aeronautics Act, CATSA is responsible for the screening of persons who access aircraft or restricted airport areas, the property in their possession or control, and the belongings that they give to an air carrier for transportation at designated airports across the country.
Additionally, a number of federal legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks establish the foundation that CATSA uses to develop its standard operating procedures and related training programs to guide screening officers in the performance of their duties. Other legislation and Treasury Board of Canada directives address financial accountability, official languages, impact assessments, privacy, access to information, and multiculturalism.
Other legislative and regulatory instruments directly applicable to CATSA’s mandate include:
- Security Screening Services Commercialization Act;
- Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, 2012; and
- Screening Security Measures.
CATSA works closely with the Government of Canada to fulfil its mandate in compliance with all of the legislative and regulatory instruments above, through the application of a robust oversight and reporting program. The organization is also subject to the requirements of a number of legislative and regulatory instruments that apply outside of the scope of its mandate. For example, CATSA adheres to, and is compliant with the requirements of:
- The Financial Administration Act (FAA), Part X;
- The Crown Corporation General Regulations, 1995;
- The Crown Corporation Corporate Plan, Budget and Summaries Regulations;
- The Treasury Board of Canada Directives;
- The Canada Transportation Act; and
- The Transportation Information Regulations.
CATSA is accountable to provide security screening services to a diverse population of passengers and non-passengers, and as such, the organization reports on its compliance with the following pieces of legislation, the details of which are highlighted throughout this corporate plan:
- The Official Languages Act;
- The Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act;
- The Accessible Canada Act and associated regulations; and
- The Employment Equity Act and associated regulations.
Financial Administration Act Directives
Public Sector Pension Reform
In June 2019, CATSA was issued a directive (Order in Council P.C. 2019-783) pursuant to Section 89 of the FAA, which outlines certain principles with regards to CATSA’s pension plans and replaces Order in Council P.C. 2014-1382 of December 2014. CATSA is compliant with the directive.
Travel and Hospitality
As part of CATSA’s commitment to open and accountable governance, CATSA confirms that its Travel, Hospitality, Conferences and Event Expenditures Policy is in compliance with directive P.C. 2015-1114, pursuant to Section 89 of the FAA, which requires CATSA’s policies, guidelines and practices to be aligned with Treasury Board policies, directives and related instruments on travel, hospitality, conference and event expenditures in a manner that is consistent with its legal obligations. This policy is available on CATSA’s website.
CATSA reports travel and hospitality expenses through proactive disclosure. This disclosure is aligned with the Treasury Board standards for expenditures that are currently in effect.
Employment Equity Act
Pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, CATSA is required to take appropriate measures to implement employment equity and to implement a three-year employment equity plan.
The objective of the employment equity plan is to achieve a well-balanced workforce that reflects diversity and fosters a positive and supportive working environment, respecting wide-ranging social and cultural values while striving to reduce and eliminate gaps in representation among the four designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, members of visible minorities and persons with disabilities). The plan focuses on various initiatives, addresses previously identified barriers, and sustains positive practices to increase the representation of the four designated groups while encompassing broader principles of diversity and inclusion.
CATSA will continue to prioritize the implementation of its employment equity plan to introduce and sustain positive practices to increase the representation of the four designated groups, while also encompassing the broader principles of diversity and inclusion.
Official Languages Act
Under Part IV of the Official Languages Act, CATSA is required to provide screening services to the travelling public in both official languages at airports with one million or more passengers, and at airports where there is a significant demand for services in the minority language. The demand for services in the minority language is measured, and the list of airports requiring minority language service is updated, following the decennial census of the population.
In an effort towards continuous improvement, CATSA surveys passengers across the country on a quarterly basis to verify if they were served in their preferred language. Survey results, along with compliance measurement reports and complaints, are analyzed and used to improve front-line performance.
CATSA remains committed to its official languages obligations, including those that relate to its workforce. The organization continues to work closely with its internal Advisory Committee on Official Languages, as well as the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages and the Treasury Board Secretariat Official Languages Centre of Excellence, to make further progress on official languages goals.
Access to Information Act and Privacy Act
CATSA is subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act and strives to meet both the spirit and the legal requirements of these two Acts.
As part of the organization’s commitment to its Privacy Act obligations, CATSA has introduced new training requirements for all employees, covering privacy essentials including the collection and use of personal information and implementing privacy protection measures.
Protection of Federal Assets
As with all federal departments and agencies, CATSA is committed to ensuring the responsible acquisition, maintenance and ultimate replacement of its screening equipment and related technologies and systems. CATSA’s lifecycle management plans ensure that a comprehensive approach is taken to the proper protection of federal assets, to ensure optimal value for money for the duration of the planned economic life of the equipment.
Response to External Audits
Three significant audits have provided a focus for CATSA’s efforts in continuous improvement:
- The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) Special Examination report (2015/16) concluded that CATSA’s systems and practices provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded and controlled, resources are managed economically and efficiently, and operations are carried out effectively. CATSA agreed with each of the OAG’s seven recommendations and all recommendations have been addressed. The next Special Examination is expected to begin in 2023/24.
- Following the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages 2017 audit report on CATSA’s provision of bilingual services to the travelling public, CATSA has continued to improve its approach to official languages, taking proactive steps to address the audit findings and continuing its existing official language activities. This report can be accessed publicly.
- The Office of the Auditor General’s Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities report (2023), focused on whether or not CATSA identified and removed existing barriers, and worked towards preventing transportation barriers for persons with disabilities. This report can be accessed publicly.
Three recommendations for improvement were provided:
- Meeting website accessibility standards;
- Timeliness for accessibility training and further consultations with persons with disabilities related to that training; and
- Developing and implementing a strategy to better analyze complaint data.
CATSA has developed an action plan to address each recommendation and remains committed to continuing its work towards removing barriers within the transportation system. The activities outlined in the action plan have already been initiated or completed, and the action plan should be completed in its entirety in 2024.