Members of the public, accessibility advocacy organizations, screening personnel, and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA)’s employees are encouraged to provide feedback on the accessibility plan, previous accessibility progress reports and/or feedback process as well as to request alternate formats of these documents by contacting:
General Manager, Corporate Affairs
corporateaffairs.affairesorganisationelles@catsa.gc.ca
CATSA can also be contacted through its website, social media platforms, toll free number, TTY line, in person, or by ground mail.
Toll free number: 1-888-294-2202
TTY line: 1-833-339-1021
Mailing address:
Accessibility Feedback – Corporate Affairs
Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
99 Bank St., 6 Floor, Ottawa, ON, K1P 6B9
Anonymous feedback can be submitted via the Accessibility Feedback form, available on the CATSA website.
CATSA shall provide any information relating to its accessibility plan, accessibility progress reports and/or feedback process in alternate formats, upon request. An acknowledgement of receipt will be provided in the same manner as the feedback was received, unless otherwise requested. Requests for documentation in braille or audio format will be fulfilled within 45 days of the request. All requests for other alternate formats (large print, physical copy) will be fulfilled within 15 days.
Mandate
Established on April 1, 2002, 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. 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 the highest risk 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, screening personnel, and workforce.
Operating environment
Supported by nearly 9,000 screening personnel, employed through service agreements with third-party contractors, CATSA ensures the safety of passengers and non-passengers interacting with the Canadian aviation system.
With over 500 CATSA employees nationwide, the organization works closely with air carriers, airport authorities, its third-party screening contractors, and local law enforcement agencies. The organization also collaborates with a number of other federal departments and agencies, most notably Transport Canada - which regulates civil aviation operations and related security requirements.
The following accessibility plan underscores CATSA's commitment to accessibility in its programs, practices, policies, and services within its operations and workplace.
CATSA’s commitment to accessibility
CATSA is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace and ensuring a seamless security screening experience for all Canadians. CATSA prioritizes accessibility in the design and evaluation of our programs, practices, policies, and services.
Through collaboration with accessibility advocacy organizations and individuals with lived experience of disability, CATSA is committed to identifying and eliminating barriers in both the workplace and the security screening process.
Overview
CATSA's Accessibility Plan for 2026 to 2029 outlines its planned initiatives over the next three years in alignment with the seven priority areas of the Accessible Canada Act: Employment, the built environment, information and communication technologies (ICT), communication other than ICT, procurement of goods, services and facilities, design and delivery of programs and services, and transportation.
The action items in this plan were developed by the internal Accessibility Working Group, with input from diverse accessibility advocacy organizations on the strategic direction of CATSA’s accessibility initiatives. This approach underscores the organization’s commitment to the principle of “Nothing About Us, Without Us”.
Since implementing its previous accessibility plan, CATSA has made notable progress in collaboration with the community. Key achievements from the past three years include:
- Developing and implementing comprehensive accessibility training for screening contractor personnel, including screening officers, facilitators and supervisors, as well as CATSA staff and decision-makers;
- Collaborating with accessibility advocacy organizations representing the interest of persons with visible and non-visible disabilities to assess pre-board screening checkpoint accessibility at multiple airports;
- Introducing a new bilingual facilitator role to provide additional assistance through the screening process at the 16 major Canadian airports;
- Expanding and deploying computed tomography (CT) X-ray technology to improve the screening process by no longer requiring medical devices to be removed from carry-on baggage during screening;
- Engaging with the accessibility advocacy community to enhance training, communications, accessible employment, passenger facilitation, and operating procedures for a more accessible travel experience; and
- Establishing a data strategy to improve analysis of accessibility-related passenger complaints with the goal of informing process improvements and addressing potential training gaps.
CATSA consistently reviews and updates its operating procedures and training to address accessibility barriers and passenger feedback. The organization will continue to consult with accessibility advocacy organizations and persons with lived experience of disability to support accessibility initiatives in service delivery and employment.
A key insight from CATSA's external engagements is that employing individuals with disabilities, and improving workplace accessibility, enhances service delivery by incorporating the lived experiences into the development of programs, policies, practices, and services for the public.
Additionally, the improvements that CATSA is exploring to the workplace, including enhancements to office wayfinding, may be leveraged to enhance the passenger experience at checkpoints.
We sincerely thank all individuals and organizations who continue to share their lived experiences and critical expertise.