2025 CATSA Annual Public Meeting

Hello, Bonjour, welcome to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority’s Annual Public Meeting.

I would like to begin by acknowledging that this event is hosted on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin.

My name is Max Paradis and it’s my pleasure to be here today to introduce our two speakers – Ms. Thao Pham, CATSA’s Chairperson and Mr. Neil Parry, CATSA’s Interim President and Chief Executive Officer. Together, they will present CATSA’s accomplishments over the last fiscal year and highlight organizational priorities for the year ahead.

We will begin today’s meeting with Ms. Pham, who joined CATSA in March of 2023.

Ms. Pham is a former senior Canadian government official with extensive experience in leadership, management and governance. She last served as Deputy Minister, COVID-19 Recovery and previously as Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Operations) in the Privy Council Office. Prior to that, she served as Associate Deputy Minister of Transport Canada. She also held a number of senior positions, including at Infrastructure Canada, Canada Economic Development Agency for Quebec Regions, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, and Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Please welcome, Ms. Thao Pham.

Thank you, Maxime, and thank you all for joining us today.

It is a real pleasure to participate once again in CATSA’s Annual Public Meeting in my role as Chairperson of the Board of Directors.

CATSA plays a vital role in safeguarding Canada’s civil aviation system. Our mandate is clear: to deliver effective, efficient, and secure screening services that protect the travelling public and Canada’s civil aviation network. This mandate drives every decision we make.

CATSA’s work is foundational, not only to the security of passengers, but to the strength, resilience, and continuity of Canada’s transportation infrastructure. Every screening checkpoint, every innovation, and every frontline interaction contributes to that system that Canadians rely on daily. The success of this system is sustained through our strategic investment, operational excellence, and unwavering commitment to our mandate.

In 2024/25, CATSA screened 68.9 million passengers, all while surpassing wait-time service level targets. 97% of travellers waited less than 15 minutes.

CATSA achieved this while continuing to strengthen security screening, improving client service, and supporting the Government of Canada’s priorities both on economic and environmental areas. These outcomes demonstrate our role in enabling secure, seamless air travel and advancing national objectives.

I’ll now take a moment to focus on CATSA’s significant progress in modernizing its screening operations in the last year. Key accomplishments include the launch of CT X-ray technology in the busiest airports across the country resulting in more secure and efficient screening operations. Also, the introduction of a more compact and efficient full body scanner to improve security effectiveness and alarm resolution, as well as the implementation of a new bilingual facilitator role to provide additional support for passengers at screening checkpoints.

These innovations are not just enhancements; they are strategic responses to evolving threats and rising passenger volumes. By investing in technology and working closely with our industry partners, CATSA continues to deliver forward-thinking solutions that strengthen security and improve operational performance. Our focus is clear: security, efficiency, innovation and the passenger experience.

CATSA has also advanced key Government of Canada priorities, including a deepened commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in screening operations and as an employer.

Providing accessible travel is one of Canada's top priorities. CATSA embraces its leadership role in removing barriers within the air travel system and creating a more inclusive experience for all Canadians.

CATSA’s 2024 Accessibility Progress Report highlights tangible progress in implementing the 2023–2026 Accessibility Plan. This includes improvements in accessible screening, inclusive employment, and barrier-free communications and infrastructure. Through collaboration with disability advocacy groups, airports, and government partners, CATSA is helping shape a more inclusive transportation system rooted in dignity, independence and equal access.

As part of its commitment to reconciliation, CATSA continued delivering its Indigenous Cultural Awareness learning program, led by Indigenous facilitators. To date, over 10,000 screening contractor employees, and over 500 CATSA employees have completed the training, strengthening cultural understanding across screening operations.

CATSA’s Board of Directors is committed to strong governance and management excellence. As such, I want to acknowledge the results of the 2025 Special Examination by the Office of the Auditor General, which found no significant deficiencies in CATSA’s operations.

This year, four new Board directors, appointed by the Governor in Council, joined the Board. We welcome their diverse expertise and extensive experience, which will contribute to CATSA’s governance.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all Board members for their commitment to CATSA’s mandate. And on behalf of the Board, I express our deep appreciation to CATSA’s screening contractors and more than 9,000 front-line screening officers across the country, their important work to keep air travellers safe is foundational to our success.

Finally, I extend my sincere thanks to CATSA’s leadership and staff for their unwavering dedication to our mission. I also thank Transport Canada and our industry partners for their continued collaboration and support.

As global threats evolve and passenger volumes grow, CATSA’s role remains as relevant as ever. Through leading-edge technologies, and a steadfast commitment to service excellence, CATSA delivers its mandate in the most cost-effective and cost-efficient manner while contributing the Government of Canada's priorities - from strengthening national security to growing the economy, to advancing accessibility and reconciliation.

I look forward to continuing to lead CATSA’s Board in the year ahead. Working closely with the senior management team, Transport Canada, and our industry partners CATSA is determined to provide secure, efficient and traveller-focused screening services that protects Canadians and positions our country as a global leader in aviation security.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Pham

Our next speaker is Mr. Neil Parry, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Parry joined CATSA in 2002. He has held a number of senior positions leading national teams that deliver security screening services across Canadian airports. Mr. Parry holds a BA in History from the University of Windsor and an MBA in International Aviation from Concordia University.

Please welcome Mr. Neil Parry

Thank you, Max.

Good afternoon, everyone. It is a privilege to serve as CATSA’s interim President and CEO, leading an organization committed to its security mandate with professionalism and purpose. We strive to enhance aviation security and the traveller experience.

In 2024/25, CATSA delivered impressive results, screening nearly 69 million passengers at 89 airports, with 97% waiting 15 minutes or less to be screened. Nearly 92% of passengers reported positive experiences, thanks to our targeted investments in technology for a barrier-free experience.

We have made significant strides in accessibility, launching the Facilitator Program with 175 bilingual facilitators across 16 airports to improve the traveller experience. We’ve modernized screening equipment by installing 21 new CT X units at six airports, enhancing security and efficiency.

CATSA embraces innovation with artificial intelligence to improve resource allocation and decision-making, all while maintaining secure, efficient screening. As passenger volumes are projected to reach 89 million by the year 2030, we work with partners to ensure scaling aligns with demand, vital to Canada's aviation ecosystem.

We launched a new five-year Strategic Plan with four pillars: Invest in our people, Drive innovation, Promote integration and Elevate experiences. Our Innovation Roadmap and Service Strategy emphasize security effectiveness, inclusivity, respect and professionalism in all interactions.

Recognizing the pace of technological change, we developed a Screening Technology Plan to guide investment decisions for the next decade. It focuses on improving threat detection, enhancing the passenger journey and driving efficiency across operations.

Secure air travel remains essential to Canada’s national security framework, with CATSA pivotal in combating evolving global threats.

Everything we’ve achieved over the past year is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our people and partners—our screening officers, screening contractors, employees, senior leadership team, CATSA’s Board of Directors and industry collaborators. I want to sincerely thank each and everyone of you for your role in our success.

CATSA delivers value. Our operations are efficient. Our people are purpose-driven. And our mission is clear: to protect Canadians and support the free and secure movement of people and goods through our nation’s airports—advancing national security, enabling trade and elevating the travel experience for all.

Thank you, Mr. Parry.

This concludes our Annual Public Meeting. It has been our pleasure to share highlights from the previous year and to offer a preview of the year to come.

Please take note that you can send questions and request clarification through our website at catsa.gc.ca. You have until October 21st to do so. The responses will be posted on the website shortly thereafter.

Thank you for joining us today and we hope to see you again next year.