Mandate
CATSA is an agent Crown corporation, accountable to Parliament through the Minister of Transport. CATSA delivers the mandate of security screening at 89 designated airports across the country through a third-party screening contractor model.
The organization fulfills a critical security mandate by ensuring the secure and efficient movement of people and goods across Canada’s air transportation network and internationally, contributing to national security and economic growth. Playing a pivotal role in Canada’s aviation system, CATSA is responsible for the delivery of the following four mandated activities:
Pre-board screening (PBS)
The screening of all passengers and their carry-on baggage and belongings prior to their entry to the secure area of an air terminal building.
Hold baggage screening (HBS)
The screening of all passengers’ checked (“hold”) baggage for prohibited items such as explosives, prior to being loaded onto an aircraft.
Non-passenger screening (NPS)
The screening of non-passengers such as flight personnel, ground crew and service providers, and their belongings (including vehicles and their contents) entering restricted areas at major airports.
Restricted area identity card (RAIC)
The management of the system that uses iris and fingerprint biometric identifiers to allow authorized non-passengers access to the restricted areas of airports. The final authority that determines access to the restricted areas of an airport is the airport authority.
Mission
CATSA protects the travelling public by providing the highest level of aviation security screening.
Vision
The travelling public and our partners benefit from the most secure aviation security screening service and the best client experience through our leadership.
Core Values
- Integrity: We are driven by a strong conviction in our mandate and mission. We are stewards of public funds, and we act ethically and transparently to foster accountability and public trust.
- Innovation: We are steadfast in our commitment to implementing forward-thinking, creative solutions to evolving and emerging challenges.
- Collaboration: We believe that collaboration is fundamental within the organization, across the aviation industry, and with our partners. We leverage our collective strengths and experience for the benefit of all.
- Inclusivity: In all aspects of our business, respect and inclusivity are central to our approach. We are leaders in the implementation of meaningful actions, dedicated to creating a barrier-free experience for our clients, workforce, and the third-party screening officers.
Core Responsibility
As per the Treasury Board Policy on Results, Crown corporations are expected to comply with the requirement to identify Core Responsibilities to support Parliamentary reporting, including the Main Estimates, Supplementary Estimates and Public Accounts. CATSA has one Core Responsibility: to deliver effective, efficient, and consistent security screening at designated airports.
Legislative and Regulatory Frameworks
CATSA is subject to both domestic legislation and international standards. As its regulator, Transport Canada develops aviation security regulations, including the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations (2012), and establishes security measures that determine which screening technologies and procedures can be used. Screening technologies are informed by standards adopted by international partners such as the United States Transportation Security Administration and the European Civil Aviation Conference.
In addition, CATSA's activities are governed by a range of legislative and regulatory instruments addressing areas such as but not limited to access to information, privacy, accessibility, multiculturalism, corporate planning and reporting, financial administration, employment equity, official languages, and climate, as well as directives issued by the Treasury Board of Canada applicable to Crown corporations.
Cargo
In addition to its mandated activities, CATSA has an agreement with Transport Canada to conduct screening of a limited amount of cargo at smaller airports where screening capacity exists, using existing resources, technology, and procedures.
Cost-recovery and Other Designated Airports
Additionally, CATSA may provide screening services on a cost-recovery basis to both designated and non-designated airports upon the approval of the Minister of Transport. In 2025/26, CATSA signed an agreement with the Montreal Metropolitan Airport (MET) to support the upcoming launch of commercial operations. As MET is not a designated airport under the CATSA Aerodrome Designation Regulations, screening services will be provided as part of the cost recovery framework established in the CATSA Act.