Location: National
Summary of Issue/Background
- The COVID-19 pandemic brought increased health and safety risks to air travel. To restore public confidence in the safety of air travel and ensure that Canada’s border systems are prepared to address future public health crises, the Government of Canada is investing in advanced technologies to facilitate touchless and secure air travel.
- There is significant potential in developing digital solutions that combining touchless travel with advanced electronic process to better identify passengers and allow them to provide health information like COVID vaccination status, limiting the need for close physical contact and eliminating the exchange of multiple paper documents -- creating safer, more efficient and easier travel experience.
- On October 21, the Government of Canada announced that, in collaboration with provinces and territories, a standardized Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination is now available to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Yukon, and will be available in the other provinces soon. Canada is also engaging with international partners to obtain recognition and acceptance abroad, so the proof can also be used to facilitate travel around the world.
- As of August 2021, travellers coming into Canada must submit proof of vaccination using the ArriveCAN app.
- For outbound international travel, there is currently no global consensus on an acceptable proof of vaccination, but the Government of Canada is working with international partners to obtain recognition of Canadian proof of vaccination credentials to facilitate travel to certain countries. Canadian engagement is also occurring at multi-lateral forums, such as the International Civil Aviation Organization, to adopt a global standard.
- Transport Canada is also working to modernize the air travel journey by enabling use of digital credentials (e.g., COVID testing and/or proof of vaccination) and digital identity verification, to comply with Secure Air Travel Act Regulations and other aviation security regulatory frameworks managed by Transport Canada.
- Budget 2021 provided $105.3 million over five years to develop an approach to digital identity for air travellers. Transport Canada is developing plans to implement this initiative in a way that contributes to the Government of Canada priority for safe air travel through vaccine mandates and testing at the border while enabling a smoother flow of passengers through digital credentials.
- Safeguards are being built into the policies, procedures and technical systems to protect the privacy of Canadians. Provinces, territories and Indigenous organizations are and will remain the custodians of Canadians’ health data.
- These initiatives are an important component of Transport Canada’s biosecurity work which will ensure that Canada’s aviation and border systems are resilient and ready to respond to future public health issues, while digitally identifying the identity of traveller without comprising privacy. The result will be faster passenger flows and more effective traveller verification while strengthening safety and security.
Messages
- As Canada works towards recovery and travel re-start, investments in our airport continue to be crucial to maintain safety, security, and connectivity for travellers, workers and communities. Government of Canada investments will also help to rebuild the public’s confidence in domestic and international travel, and ensure that Canada’s aviation industry is well positioned to recover from the impacts of the pandemic.
- Moving forward, this opportunity will strengthen Canada’s leadership as a World Class Safety and Security regulator by modernizing oversight and enforcement regimes into the next generation.
- The Government of Canada is working with partners to ensure the recognition of Canada’s successful, science-based vaccination strategy abroad, which includes mixed vaccination schedules, extended dose intervals and a portfolio of safe and effective vaccines.