CATSA is committed to supporting Government of Canada priorities, as set out in the Speech from the Throne, the government’s budget plans, the mandate letter from the Prime Minister to the Minister of Transport, and the letter of expectation from the Minister of Transport to the Chairperson of CATSA’s Board of Directors (see Appendix A). Following are key initiatives that will be actively pursued and supported throughout the planning period.
Building a Healthy, Inclusive and More Resilient Future
Learning from the pandemic
CATSA is committed to working with the Government of Canada towards its goal of drawing on lessons learned from the pandemic to further adapt and develop more agile and effective ways to serve Canadians. The organization is continuously looking for ways to improve and update its practices, policies and procedures to meet the challenges of today while anticipating the needs of tomorrow. As an example, as a result of the pandemic and the need to ensure a healthy security screening experience for passengers, CATSA will be incorporating ultraviolet-C bin sanitization solutions into CATSA Plus line configurations.
Ensuring accessibility for all Canadians
The Accessible Canada Act came into force in 2019. Three separate regulations have come into effect since then and are now applicable to CATSA:
- The Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR);
- The Accessible Transportation Planning and Reporting Regulations (ATPRR); and
- The Accessible Canada Regulations (ACR).
In response to the requirements of all three regulatory instruments, CATSA published its first Accessibility Plan by December 31, 2022. The plan describes the current state of CATSA’s implementation of policies, programs, practices and services related to accessibility, and provides an overview of the organization’s plan for implementing new action items between 2023/24 and 2025/26. The plan also provides a list of all regulatory requirements from the ATPDR, ATPRR and ACR that are directly applicable to CATSA.
Prior to publication, the Accessibility Plan underwent a comprehensive public consultation process. CATSA consulted the public and specifically sought the input of organizations representing the interests of persons with disabilities on the contents of its Accessibility Plan.
In addition to the development of the Accessibility Plan, the organization has created a cross-functional working group to measure progress on accessibility action items and regulatory requirements. This work complements CATSA’s ongoing efforts towards identifying, limiting and removing barriers for passengers, non-passengers, screening officers, and CATSA personnel with disabilities.
Gender-based Analysis Plus
CATSA is enabling the implementation of GBA Plus principles into its decision-making processes, employment and recruitment practices, and operational procedures. Progress on the organization’s efforts towards creating a barrier-free, inclusive, and sensitive environment is measured against the organization’s GBA Plus 3-Year Action Plan.
CATSA develops action items in collaboration with all of its branches, and with the support of its Diversity and Inclusion Network (DIN), in order to honour and support the diversity of both its workforce and of the travelling public.
Ensuring a Safe, Secure and Efficient Transportation System
CATSA secures critical elements of the civil air transportation system, as assigned and directed by the Government of Canada. CATSA contributes to the Government of Canada’s priority of ensuring a safe, secure and efficient transportation system.
Open, Transparent and Merit-based Selection Processes Reflecting Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity
CATSA is deeply committed to supporting the Government of Canada’s objective to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of Canada’s population. To that end, CATSA’s Employment Equity Plan sets out employment equity numerical goals, commitments and performance measurements. The Employment Equity Plan emphasizes increasing internal representation of designated population groups through hiring, talent and career development, and promotion. These efforts, complemented by CATSA’s Code of Ethics, Conduct and Conflict of Interest, are designed to foster and reinforce a safe, respectful and welcoming work environment for all.
CATSA continuously increases employee awareness by working with the DIN to identify potential barriers to employment equity, provide employees with career management sessions and toolkits, and introduce a variety of Diversity and Inclusion initiatives and training sessions.
CATSA’s commitments to diversity, equality, inclusion and employment equity are also supported by the adoption of workplace policies and practices that ensure employees from diverse backgrounds have access to reasonable accommodation of their values and traditions.
Progress towards meeting diversity and employment equity goals is actively measured, monitored and evaluated. CATSA submits an annual report on its fulfillment of the Employment Equity Act and the Canadian Multiculturalism Act.
Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
CATSA is fully committed to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. The organization’s actions in the sphere of civil aviation security have consisted of striving towards a workforce that is representative of Indigenous populations and ensuring that sacred and spiritual items are treated respectfully during the screening process. Between 2018 and 2022, CATSA engaged with Indigenous Elders to learn more about how aviation security screening can affect sacred and spiritual items. This engagement ultimately informed changes to CATSA’s screening procedures for sacred items generally, and informed training on Indigenous history for screening officers, supervisors and CATSA personnel. This review and training will enhance the service offered to Indigenous travellers and incorporate diverse Indigenous backgrounds, experiences, cultural values and traditions into CATSA’s operations.
Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Green Government
As a responsible agency of the Crown, CATSA maintains high standards for its own sustainable practices, including such measures as safe and responsible disposal of equipment at the end of its useful life, minimization of paper generation through heavy reliance on electronic data systems, and continual innovation to support safe and efficient personal and business travel and the recreation and tourism sectors of the economy.
Additionally, in support of the Government of Canada’s objectives outlined in Budget 2021, CATSA is preparing to adopt standards outlined in the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, as an element of corporate reporting by 2024. As part of these preparations, a qualitative climate-related risk and opportunity assessment is being completed in 2022/23, and CATSA’s Board of Directors approved a Climate Disclosure Policy. During 2023/24, the organization will populate a greenhouse gas emissions inventory, develop a climate strategy which will outline the CATSA’s approach to climate-related risk and opportunities, and conduct qualitative scenario analysis. Ultimately, CATSA will report the results of these new requirements in its 2025 Annual Report.
Refocusing Government Spending to Deliver for Canadians
CATSA is aware of the announcement in Budget 2023 aimed at reducing government spending. In particular, the organization will be closely monitoring the details of the Government of Canada’s initiative aimed at seeking approximately a 3% reduction of eligible spending by 2026/27.
As it relates to the announcement of a reduction in consulting, professional services and travel budgets, CATSA will continue to work with Transport Canada to implement this initiative, while recognizing the nature of the organization’s air travel security screening service mandate. Nevertheless, CATSA is committed to ensuring that the organization’s expenditures are in-line with the Government of Canada’s expectations.