Table of contents
- 1. Overview of the program, operating context and environment
- 2. Considerations and drivers for oversight activities priorities
- 3. Oversight delivery in 2024-25
- 4. Organizational contact information
- Annex A: Definitions
1. Overview of the program, operating context and environment
Overview
Transport Canada’s Intermodal Surface, Security and Emergency Preparedness (ISSEP) Directorate is responsible for the Transportation Security Clearance (TSC) program, which is managed by the Security Screening Programs (SSP) branch.
The TSC Program aims to prevent unlawful acts of interference to Canada’s transportation system by assessing the risks posed by individuals who require unescorted access to restricted areas of airports and marine ports due to the nature of their work, and marine workers who conduct certain security-related functions. These regulatory authorizations are conducted under the legal authority of subsection 4.71 and 4.8 of the Aeronautics Act in aviation and Part 5 of the Marine Transportation Security Regulations for the marine sector.
Operating Context
The TSC program exists in the air and marine modes.
In aviation, it applies to individuals, including, but not limited to, baggage handlers, aircraft mechanics, airline employees, cleaning staff and store clerks. A TSC granted by TC is a pre-requisite to the issuance of a restricted area identity card (RAIC), which is the pass issued by the airport authority granting access to the restricted area.
In the marine sector, the requirement applies to specific occupations as well as marine workers that perform certain duties requiring access to restricted areas such as maintaining security measures, managing access points and handling cargo or cargo documentation. to areas designated as Restricted Areas Two, which are areas in certain marine facilities that: i) contain the central controls for lighting, security and surveillance equipment and systems; and ii) are designated for the loading or unloading of cargo and ships’ stores, as well as select individuals who have advance access to cargo information, or who can create, modify, or control cargo documentation, or direct or plan the movement of cargo. As Port passes are issued by the ports. A TSC granted by TC is a pre-requisite to the issuance of that port pass.
Operating Environment
Threats to transportation systems posed by criminal organizations and the corruption or intimidation of air and marine workers to facilitate smuggling and other criminal activities remains a top priority. Canada’s marine ports enable the daily movement of cargo and essential goods but are also subject to the movement of illicit goods. The vulnerability to national security of criminal activity includes the inbound smuggling of illegal drugs, precursor chemicals, counterfeit goods, illegal immigrants, but also the outbound smuggling of stolen vehicles and drugs.
In the current economic and geopolitical context, federal work to strengthen transportation supply chain security is a top priority, both in terms of relations with key international trading partners, but also for the National Action Plan on Combating Auto Theft. TSCs help mitigate insider threats through rigorous security background checks for select transportation employees.
As the threat landscape shifts, Transport Canada will continue to work with federal security partners to review security trends and emerging risks, in close coordination with Aviation Security and Marine Security program leads, that would inform any new measures or consultations with operators and other stakeholders that could be required to strengthen the security of the transportation system.
Changes to the external environment that are impacting the TSC program include:
- increasing criminal activity across the transportation system,
- increasing cargo movement to and from Canada at airports and ports and evidence of illicit goods,
- increased air travel, including airports expansion and new airlines travelling through Canada,
- expansion of US preclearance operations in Canada,
- changes in workforce dynamics adding to processing complexity of TSC applications, and
- interconnected nature of transportation facilities with global supply chains.
Operational Enhancements to the TSC
The TSC program has been largely digitized to meet service levels and reduce burden on for industry stakeholders and the department. The application process is fully electronic, from the point of application to connections with security partners.
TSC applications are submitted and managed, with the support of industry enrollment offices and pass control offices, and an online Transportation Security Service portal was added to eliminate manual and labour-intensive activities. TSC applicants can view online the status of their application.
Digital improvements are an ongoing component of work for the program. A more efficient TSC program removes barriers for those relying on the transportation sector for travel or work. The goal is to remove any undue delays with the legislated program to limit impacts to workforce recruitment and retention and transportation operations.
Other program components of focus, include:
- regularization of staff and corporate knowledge,
- re-orientation of resources to support priorities – e.g., examination of screening requirements for preclearance areas and potential TSC expansions across marine ports,
- advancing automation solutions for more program efficiencies,
- improving reporting capabilities to inform program operations and data analytics, and
- continually augmenting intelligence and information sharing with federal security partners for robust decision-making.
2. Considerations and drivers for oversight priorities
A key driver affecting TSC prioritization are the changing volumes and workforce dynamics that can affect the efficiency of the program. Where air passenger volumes in the transportation system result in increased workforces across airports and air operators, this can affect volumes of TSC applications. Similarly, the expanding marine industry, including additional cruise ships visiting Canadian ports each year, can also increase the number of TSC applications submitted to TC.
Other workforce dynamics and employee turnover can mean more new TSC applications as opposed to TSC renewals. New applications take more time to process. As applicants leverage more out of country documents this can require more time, experience, training and resources in the review process.
Though the program posts a 60-day service standard, most simple files are processed within less than 20 days. Applicants with 6 consecutive months or more of time spent out of country, such applications can take more than the 20 or fewer days Files associated with any adverse information, can also take time for robust decision-making. Each file is processed on a case-by-case basis to balance transportation security concerns with the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.
As the transportation industry evolves, the TSC program also must evolve to address new and more complex threats through ongoing monitoring and program enhancements. Building on strong relationships and mutual goals, TC continues to strengthen the TSC program by augment and adapting information and intelligence sharing methods to address insider threats, with federal and US security partners. Better intelligence sharing amongst those entrusted with transportation security supports more fulsome investigative work and sound decisions.
The changing security landscape also drives review of TSC programming to ensure maintained effectiveness and impact. As border security and supply chain integrity are top of mind internationally, preliminary consultations have been initiated on the potential expansion of security screening across the transportation system, such as across marine ports and at preclearance areas.
Driver
The TSC program is a Ministerial Priority developed to mitigate risks to the transportation industry. It was created in 1985, in aviation, as a response to the Air India tragedy and expanded in 2007 to the marine sector. Since then, the program has continued to evolve to mitigate the various risks posed to the industry. The Minister is responsible for the development and regulation of aeronautics and therefore has authority to grant, suspend or deny TSC applicants under the Aeronautics Act to support the Transportation Security Clearance Program. The Marine Transportation Security Act (MTSA) provides the Minister with the authority to oversee similar types of security background checks with the Marine Transportation Security Clearance Program.
3. Oversight delivery in 2024-25
The delivery of TSC activities will be reported through the CCTD
4. Organizational contact information
Transport Canada welcomes your comments on this report.
Email: TC.SSPManagement-GestionduPFS.TC@tc.gc.ca for information on our security screening programs.
Annex A: Definitions
| Required field | Description |
|---|---|
| Oversight | How Transport Canada promotes, monitors or enforces compliance with our safety and security requirements. |
| Regulatory authorizations | Given when a regulated party (for example, a railway company or vehicle manufacturer) applies for permission to do a regulated activity, or be exempt from it. We may give permission in various forms, including a permit, licence, certification or security clearance. Transport Canada does not control the number of regulatory authorizations per planning cycle. |
| Inspection |
A documented, formal examination of industry compliance with Canadian transportation safety and security rules, regulations and requirements. Authorized Transport Canada officials record the results of each inspection. For the purposes of this document, audits are a type of inspection. *Includes pre-site, onsite, and post-site inspection and oversight activities. Is complete when the inspector submits an approved inspection or oversight activities report. Does not include follow-up action, quality control checks or outreach activities. |
| Planned, risk-based inspections |
All inspections Transport Canada initially commits to doing in a given planning cycle. * Does not include:
|
| Follow-up activities |
Arise from findings of an initial inspection. May include an on-site inspection, requests for more information, or enhanced monitoring. *Do not include enforcement. |
| Other activities | Oversight activities that Transport Canada did not initially commit to in a planning cycle, and are not a follow-up to an inspection or audit. |
| Enforcement |
Measures we use to enforce requirements and compel compliance. For example:
|
| Education, outreach and awareness | How we educate the public, and encourage people and companies to comply with the law (for example: industry conferences, air shows, training, web portal) |
| Quality control |
How we ensure inspectors follow policies and procedures, and complete required documentation. Applies to an entire oversight activity, from inspection, to follow-up, to resolving non-compliance.Supervisors and managers are responsible for quality control. Each program must have:
|