Government of Canada statement recognises passenger delays progress

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 to provide an update on progress being made by the Government of Canada and industry partners to reduce wait times at Canadian airports:

“The Government of Canada recognises the impact that significant wait times at some Canadian airports are having on travellers. We continue to work with airports, airlines, baggage handlers, and other partners to implement solutions to reduce delays as we approach the summer peak season.

“Our efforts are having a positive impact. Current traveller wait times at major Canadian airports are decreasing.

“The Government of Canada is also announcing that mandatory randomised testing will be temporarily suspended at all airports between 11 June 2022 and 30 June 2022. Unvaccinated travellers will still be tested on-site. As of 1 July 2022, all testing, including for unvaccinated travellers, will be performed off-site.

“This expanded measure builds upon action currently underway by the Government of Canada and the air industry, including:

• Regular meetings of Transport Canada (TC), the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), and key industry partners to find solutions to address bottlenecks at pre-board security screening and pre-clearance departure checkpoints, and customs halls
• Hiring of CATSA screening officers continues. Since April, 865 CATSA screening officers have been hired across Canada. CBSA is also maximising officer availability and additional Student Border Services Officers are now at work
• Prioritizing the issuance of Transportation Security Clearances and Restricted Area Identity Cards for CATSA screening officers to expedite the hiring process and build immediate capacity
• CBSA and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) are making available additional kiosks at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) customs hall areas
• Increasing communication with travellers and stakeholders through social media, signage and multimedia screens to better prepare them for the pre-boarding screening and arrival processing requirements and facilitate a smoother passage in and out of airports.

“Travellers are reminded that the use of ArriveCAN before coming to the airport helps remove unnecessary delays. PHAC is adding additional staff on select days at airports to verify that travellers have completed their ArriveCAN submissions on arrival and further inform air travellers about the importance of the mandatory requirements. PHAC staff will assist travellers in completing ArriveCAN if they were unable to do so.

“We recognise that there is still work to be done, particularly for international arrivals at our largest airports, and we will continue to work with all orders of governments and partners to reduce the delays in the travel system.”