Nov. 24, 2009 – Ottawa is spending $27 million on advanced new X-ray equipment to scan carry-on bags at Canada's major airports.
Officials say the new systems will make it easier to spot potential threats and could speed up the trip through the screening line-up.
The equipment will be installed at airports in Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax by February.
A spokesman for the Canadian Air Transportation Security Authority says Calgary, Winnipeg and Ottawa airports will get the system in the next fiscal year.
The advanced scanners also have the capability of detecting liquid explosives but authority spokesman Mathieu Larocque says that feature is still being tested.
If it works, there's a chance Canada, the U.S. and Europe may agree to ease blanket restrictions on bringing liquids aboard flights, but Larocque stresses that decision won't happen any time soon.
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