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Canada’s airports welcome cargo security program

May 25, 2010 – The Canadian Airports Council today pledged broad support for the Government of Canada's recently announced cargo security program and pledged to work closely with the federal government to ensure the new program is implemented in a way that meets the unique needs of very different airports and shippers.

"Safety and security are the top priority for all of Canada's airports," said CAC Chairman Bill Restall. "We broadly support the Government of Canada's continued efforts to improve the security of Canada's air cargo. We remain committed to working closely with the government so that Canada's shippers continue to have access to competitive, timely, reliable air shipping solutions."

The government yesterday unveiled a $95.7 million Air Cargo Security Program that will be phased-in over five years. Canada's airports handle about 1.5 million tonnes a year from the nation's largest airports to small, remote communities in Canada's North. At the same time, airports around the country handle cargo in very different ways. Some airports are centers for large express mail operations, others handle mostly containerized commodities and others again have large amounts of live animals and perishable goods.

"Canada is a vast country with a diverse economy," said CAC Security Committee Chair Debbie Ciccotelli, who is director, safety and security at the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. "Not all cargo operations in Canada are alike. As the government's cargo security program is rolled out nationwide, Canada's airports will seek the flexibility needed to ensure that improving the security of our air cargo still allows for a fast, efficient flow of goods."