8. Transportation Security Clearances Backgrounder

Background Information: Transportation Security Clearance Program

About the Transportation Security Clearance (TSC) Program

The purpose of TSCs is to prevent security threats and illegal interference with transportation systems. TSCs are prerequisites for restricted access cards that designate entry into restricted areas of airports, marine facilities and ports.

TSCs are granted to persons in aviation and marine who meet program criteria. This includes workers who must perform certain duties and/or who require entry to restricted transportation areas of airports or marine ports. Aviation examples include: baggage handlers, aircraft mechanics, airline employees, cleaning staff, store clerks and food vendors. Marine examples include: long-shoreman, seafarers, port security officers, and pilot boat operators.

Background checks are conducted with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the RCMP and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. As required, Canada Border Services Agency and the United States Customs and Border Protection are consulted. Information collected is protected by the Privacy Act.

TSCs are valid for 5 years. If there is credible information to refuse, suspend or cancel a clearance, the program includes a reconsideration process for such cases.

TSC Processing and Volumes

Pre-COVID-19, TSC volumes were increasing at ~3.7% annually with the expansion of the transportation system. With economic recovery and rising passenger volumes, TSC applications are surpassing pre-pandemic volumes creating a surge in processing. As industry continues to quickly hire, more complex applications are being submitted with new workers and other shifts in the labour market.

Transport is working to accelerate on-boarding and security checks by:

• ramping up processing of TSCs for employees working in restricted areas of airports;
• temporarily extending the validity period of Restricted Area Identification Cards (RAIC) at Pearson. These cards are issued by airport authorities after a TSC has been granted to permit access to restricted areas; and
• coordinating processes with key airports to accelerate their issuance of RAICs for new employees once TC has issued the underlying TSC.

TC has almost tripled the number of TSCs issued over the last year. Forecasts suggest annual volumes could grow to over 63,000 for 2022-23 compared to pre-pandemic levels of 52,000.