Safety and Security Group

Mandate:

The Safety and Security (S&S) Group is responsible for enhancing the safety and security of the aviation, marine, rail, and road modes of transport, which includes the transportation of dangerous goods in Canada. The group adopts international best practices and supports innovation as well as economic competitiveness.

As a world-class transportation regulator and service provider, S&S:

  • Develops proposed legislation, regulations, policies and national standards for each mode of transportation;
  • Implements monitoring, testing, inspections and enforcement programs;
  • Oversees the transportation of dangerous goods by rail, truck, air and marine; and
  • Administers the delivery of aircraft services to the Government of Canada.
Lisa Setlakwe

Lisa Setlakwe

Assistant Deputy Minister, Safety and Security

Bio
Nicholas Robinson

Nicholas Robinson

Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Safety and Security

Bio

Assistant Deputy Minister: Lisa Setlakwe

Associate Assistant Deputy Minister: Nicholas Robinson

Number of Employees: 3734 employees (2263 in the NCR, 1471 in the regions)

Directorates:

  • Aircraft Services;
  • Aviation Security;
  • Civil Aviation;
  • Intermodal Surface, Security and Emergency Preparedness;
  • Marine Safety and Security;
  • Multi-Modal and Road Safety Programs;

  • National Enforcement Program 

  • Oceans Protection Plan (OPP)  

  • Rail Safety and Security
  • Transportation of Dangerous Goods.

Overview: 

Aviation Safety and Security 

Ensuring the safety and security of air travelers and the aviation system continues to be the priority of Transport Canada (TC). This responsibility is shared with other federal organizations, law enforcement agencies, industry, international organizations, and other countries. Responsibilities under the Aeronautics Act include: (1) developing policies, regulations and standards under the Canadian Aviation Regulations and the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations; (2) contributing to and implementing aviation safety and security standards developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization; and (3) conducting oversight activities and providing services to the aviation industry. 

The following are our core safety program principles: 

  • Strengthening technical excellence to increase safety through a risk-based approach that reduces accidents and incidents, while increasing public confidence.

  • Conducting oversight activities and providing services to the aviation industry (e.g., certification of aircraft and aeronautical products, licensing of aviation personnel, issuing medical certificates, certification of operators); 

  • Enhancing safety measures by conducting policy, research and regulatory development; 

  • Fostering strong leadership on the international stage and collaborating with aviation authorities; 

  • Advancing the economic competitiveness and viability of the Canadian aviation sector in Canada and internationally; and 

  • Promoting an environmentally sustainable air transportation system. 

We also lead on initiatives emerging from the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, including advocating for reforms to international air accident investigation protocols to better address conflict-of-interest situations when an aircraft is downed; and developing a framework for assisting victims and families following aircraft accidents in Canada.

We are also responsible for the Safer Skies Initiative, which aims to enhance the safety and security of airspace over or near conflict zones to protect civil aviation operations. 

On the security side, Canada’s aviation security system is mature, robust and resilient.  Canada takes a layered, risk-based approach to aviation security, avoiding single points of failure and allotting resources where threats are greatest. As the global threat environment evolves in scope and complexity, sustained vigilance, proactive approaches, and a culture supportive of security are integral to effectively mitigating risk.

We are focusing efforts on air sector recovery by identifying challenges and opportunities to increase Canada’s economic competitiveness while simultaneously enhancing the overall security of the Canadian global aviation system. Several key areas have been identified which include: 

  • Continuing to modernize the air travel journey by moving from a manual, paper-based traveller identity verification and validation process to an integrated, digital system;  

  • Adopting standards to inform industry implementation and deployment of technical solutions;  

  • Growing the Verified Traveller Program;

  • Implementing the Pre-Load Air Cargo Targeting (PACT) Program using advanced analytics to risk assess inbound air cargo information;

  • TC certification and oversight of new aviation security screening technologies; 

  • Adjusting the airport designation framework to increase regional access to security screening services;

  • Modernizing the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, 2012, to better align with the latest International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards; and

  • Modernizing our oversight practices and procedures to ensure we keep pace with the ever-evolving stakeholder and legislative environment.

Other initiatives are being pursued to strengthen Canada’s supply chain through innovative screening approaches and enhancing existing aviation security cargo programs to meet international and U.S. requirements and reduce and prevent supply chain bottlenecks in Canada’s transportation networks.  

Aircraft Services 

The Aircraft Services Directorate (ASD) is responsible for the provision of aviation services in support of TC operations as well as those of other federal departments and agencies.  

With 38 aircraft (12 owned by TC) and operating on 12 bases across Canada, ASD supports TC and other government departments by: 

  • Conducting surveillance operations under the National Aerial Surveillance Program to search for and prevent ship-source pollution, strengthen Canada’s marine security by enhancing marine domain awareness, search-and-rescue operations, and monitoring habitats of endangered wildlife and sea ice conditions; and

  • Providing aviation services including maintenance, engineering support and fleet management to the Coast Guard of Canada, the Department of National Defence administrative and utility flight service, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Marine Safety and Security  

TC is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of Canada's marine transportation systems by working to protect life, health, property and the marine environment. This includes regulating, overseeing, and enforcing marine safety and security in five key areas:

  • Vessels: domestic and foreign vessels, as well as pleasure craft

  • Personnel: qualification and protections of seafarers

  • Infrastructure: ports and other marine facilities

  • Environment: clean air, clean water, and protection of marine mammals

  • Operational systems: surveillance, incident management, and the enforcement of regulations

The Canada Shipping Act, 2001 is the principal legislation governing the safety of marine transportation and recreational boating, as well as protection of the marine environment. Correspondingly the Marine Transportation Security Act provides the framework for marine security. Other important marine legislation includes: the Oceans Act, the Pilotage Act, the Canada Marine Act, the Marine Liability Act, the Marine Transportation Security Act, the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act, the Navigation Protection Act, and the Coasting Trade Act. 

Oceans Protection Plan (OPP)

The Oceans Protection Plan (OPP) is the largest investment the Government of Canada has ever made to protect our coasts and waterways. It was launched in 2016 as a $1.5B government initiative and renewed in July 2022 with an additional $2 billion investment over nine years. The expanded plan will help further strengthen marine safety and environmental protection, and advance partnerships with Indigenous peoples and coastal communities. These are essential building blocks to strengthen supply chain resiliency and ultimately, support Canada’s economic and trade priorities. To deliver on its commitments and priorities, TC works closely with other federal departments, including Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canadian Coast Guard, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and Health Canada.   

Motor Vehicle Safety 

Ensuring the safety and security of all road users continues to be a TC priority. In Canada, federal and provincial/territorial governments share responsibility for motor vehicle safety. Under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, TC establishes Canada’s Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations, the Motor Vehicle Tire Safety Regulations, and the Motor Vehicle Restraint Systems and Booster Seats Safety Regulations which implement minimum safety performance requirements for regulated classes of vehicles and vehicle equipment including child restraint systems and tires. All vehicles and vehicle equipment  either manufactured in or imported to Canada must comply with these safety regulations and their associated Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (e.g., brake systems, electronic stability control, lighting, tires, wheels). TC works with other jurisdictions to keep these standards up to date and performs tests to ensure compliance. Should a safety defect be suspected, TC investigates and supports corrective action by the manufacturer.  

Under the Motor Vehicle Transport Act, TC is also responsible for certain operational matters, such as regulations for hours of service, relating to commercial motor vehicles (transit buses, motor coaches, heavy trucks) that cross provincial/territorial and international boundaries. Provinces/territories are responsible for the enforcement of safety on Canada’s roads and highways, driver and vehicle licensing, and rules of the road (e.g., speed limits), as well as enforcement of federal motor carrier operational regulations set out in the Motor Vehicle Transport Act. TC continues to work with other jurisdictions, industry associations and international counterparts to advance a cohesive national approach to motor vehicle safety and the safety of all road users. 

Rail Safety and Security 

TC is responsible for advancing the safety and security of the Canadian rail transportation system through regulatory development, outreach and oversight. TC’s Rail Safety and Security program is delivered through the authority of the Railway Safety Act and the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992.  

As rail safety and security is a shared responsibility, TC works in collaboration with diverse stakeholders including provinces and territories, industry, labour representatives, railway companies and law enforcement.

Core program elements include: 

  • developing and administering policies, regulations, standards and guidance; 

  • conducting oversight through safety management system audits and inspections of railway operations, infrastructure and rolling stock; 

  • supporting the introduction of new technology that improves safety;  

  • conducting education and awareness activities, with a focus on Indigenous community engagement;

  • conducing security inspections/oversight of the transportation of passengers by rail and the security of the transportation of dangerous goods by rail; and

  • The security of international bridges and tunnels, which is a voluntary security program set up through a Memoranda of Understanding with the 12 bridge owners and operators in Ontario. This is in place to ensure that vital trade links between Canada and the U.S. are secure.

In recent years, TC’s rail security program has transitioned from a voluntary regime to a regulatory regime that lines up with other modes.  

Transportation of Dangerous Goods 

The Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Program promotes public safety in the transportation of dangerous goods by all modes of transport in Canada. It maintains a robust regulatory and oversight regime that supports public safety, economic growth, and innovation. It also ensures risk-based enforcement that is consistent and effective throughout the country.  

Under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 (TDG Act), the TDG Program is responsible for regulating and enforcing requirements for safe transportation of dangerous goods, which requires dangerous goods to be properly classified and transported in a means of containment manufactured, selected and used in accordance with a standard prescribed in the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations. The TDG Program is responsible for the oversight of emergency response assistance plans (ERAPs) used to assist emergency responders and describe what to do in the event of a release or anticipated release of certain higher-risk dangerous goods while they are in transport. 

Since the Lac-Mégantic tragedy in 2013, TC has almost tripled the number of inspectors conducting dangerous goods inspections and almost doubled the number of inspections per year.  

Intermodal Security and Emergency Preparedness

TC helps prevent and responds effectively to evolving issues such as threats, incidents and events (including foreign hostility/interference, unlawful acts of domestic interference, cyber-attacks, economic security concerns, and natural disasters such as flooding, wildland fires and major storms) disrupting the transportation system when natural disasters or intentional and unintentional human actions occur by:

  • Monitoring threats and disruptions to the transportation safety and security;

  • Providing intelligence support;

  • Operating TC’s Situation Centre which acts as a 24/7 focal point for information and reporting on transportation incidents;

  • Operating the Canadian Transport Emergency Centre (CANUTEC) which is a national advisory service that assists emergency response personnel in handling dangerous goods emergencies on a 24/7 basis;

  • Operating the Passenger Protect Program Operations Centre, which works with Public Safety to prevent certain individuals posing a threat to air security from boarding an aircraft or by going through additional security screening;

  • Providing leadership, advice and oversight on the four pillars of emergency management: prevention/mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery;

  • Addressing evolving cyber security issues and landscape facing the transportation system; and 

  • Managing the Transportation Security Clearance Program in collaboration with federal security partners by conducting background and security checks on individuals who require unescorted access to restricted areas of airports and marine ports.

National Enforcement Program

Enforcement is part of a continuum of activities to establish and maintain compliance with safety and security standards overseen by TC. TC supports and directs regulated entities on how best to come into and remain in compliance through promotion, inspection, monitoring and more directive approaches when dealing with non-compliance. Depending on the severity of the non-compliance, enforcement actions may be taken through regulatory instruments including minimally intrusive actions (e.g., verbal or written warnings) to more significant actions (e.g., Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) and prosecution). 

The National Enforcement Program (NEP) delivers and supports all oversight, compliance, verification programs, and enforcement activities and training at TC, including the Regional Enforcement Units, in accordance with the Departmental Enforcement Standards. It also represents the Minister at the Transportation Appeals Tribunal of Canada (TATC).