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Passenger Protect

www.passengerprotect.gc.ca

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  1. Passenger Protect Program

Passenger Protect Program

Implemented in June 2007, the Passenger Protect Program is an essential component in Canada’s multilayered approach to security. It identifies individuals who may pose a threat to aviation security and disrupts their ability to cause harm or threaten aviation by taking action, such as preventing them from boarding an aircraft.

This Government of Canada program is administered by two departments: Public Safety Canada and Transport Canada. Public Safety Canada determines whether there are reasonable grounds to suspect that an individual poses a threat to aviation security. Transport Canada specifies these individuals to air carriers. It provides the name, date of birth and gender of specified individuals to airlines. The airlines compare the names of individuals intending to board flights with the specified names, and verify with the individual's government-issued identification when there is a name match. Identification is verified in person at the airport check-in counter. When there is a potential match, the airline is required to inform Transport Canada.

Transport Canada verifies information with the airline, assesses whether the individual poses an immediate threat to aviation security and informs the airline. If required, Transport Canada may take action to mitigate the threat; for example, preventing the individual from boarding, through the issuance of an emergency direction. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police would be notified immediately in the event of a match, and local police at the airport would be informed and would take action as required.

The Passenger Protect Program also offers a reconsideration process for individuals who have been the subject of an emergency direction not to board an aircraft. Public Safety’s Office of Reconsideration provides these individuals with the opportunity to apply for a review.

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Date Modified:
2011-05-19