The proposed amendments to the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, 2012 (CASR 2012), aim to address vulnerabilities in the air cargo sector, particularly regarding potential terrorist threats. With the air cargo industry transporting over one billion tonnes of goods annually, it plays a critical role in Canada’s economy, projected to reach a value of $2.9 billion by 2025.

To mitigate these risks, the Canadian government seeks to implement a Pre-load Air Cargo Targeting (PACT) program. This initiative will require all air carriers transporting cargo to Canada to submit pre-loading advance cargo information (PLACI) to Transport Canada (TC) for security assessment. The primary goal is to identify high-risk cargo before it is loaded onto flights bound for Canada.

Canada initiated its PACT pilot project in 2012, allowing selected air carriers to submit cargo information for assessment before loading. This pilot program successfully evaluated over 2.1 million shipments and identified high-risk cargo, demonstrating its effectiveness in enhancing security. By 2015, the positive outcomes of the pilot project led TC to work towards establishing a permanent program, transitioning responsibility from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to TC by 2018.

The primary objective of the proposed amendments is to improve the security of commercial aviation by ensuring consistent submission and assessment of air cargo information destined for Canada. This will enable the application of necessary mitigation measures before cargo is loaded onto aircraft, creating a robust security framework in line with international partners and ensuring a comprehensive approach to air cargo security.

Under the proposed amendments, the PACT program will require all air carriers transporting cargo to Canada to submit specific information, including the name and address of the shipper and consignee, a detailed description of the cargo, total weight, piece count, and the air waybill number. Air carriers will also be required to provide timely updates for any changes in this information. Once TC receives the cargo information, an initial risk assessment will be conducted using an automated algorithm. Air carriers will not be allowed to load cargo until they receive confirmation from TC, which aims to identify potential threats early and allow for appropriate actions, such as additional screening or issuing a “Do Not Load” (DNL) notice for high-risk cargo.

Furthermore, the amendments will include provisions for administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) to ensure compliance. Fines of up to $25,000 could be imposed for failing to comply with screening directives or for transporting cargo that poses security threats, while penalties of up to $10,000 could be levied for not submitting required cargo information or updates.

By transitioning the successful PACT pilot project into a formal program, the Canadian government is taking proactive measures to safeguard public safety and protect against potential terrorist threats.

Canada (PROPOSED) January 6, 2024