The program will roll out between June 7 and June 21 at international airports in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg, as well at Toronto’s Pearson and Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.
Verified travellers will be able to pass through security faster at major Canadian airports, keep shoes, belts, jackets on as they go through checkpoints
The goal is to offer eligible travellers “an improved screening experience with specific benefits at security screening checkpoints.”
The program will roll out between June 7 and June 21 at international airports in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg, as well at Toronto’s Pearson and Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.
The federal government will gradually launch a verified traveller program this summer at six major Canadian airports in a bid to reduce delays amid another busy travel season.
“The program will offer eligible travellers an improved screening experience with specific benefits at security screening checkpoints,” said Transport Minister Omar Alghabra at a Tuesday news conference at Toronto’s Pearson airport. “This includes being able to take laptops, large electronics and compliant liquids and gels in their carry-on.”
“Verified travellers will also be able to keep their shoes, belt and a light jacket on as they go through the checkpoints.”
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Eligible travellers include members of Nexus and Global Entry, which are expedited border control programs for pre-approved travellers; serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces and U.S. military (including reservists); Canadian aircrew and airport workers; international aircrew in uniform; and RCMP and other police officers with a badge.
Children younger than 17 and seniors older than 75 will be allowed to accompany verified travellers through security provided they’re on the same reservation. Alghabra added that other ways to register with the program are being explored, but its infrastructure first needs to be established. At the moment, “existing verification methods” are the focus.
Nexus is open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, and Mexican nationals who are members of the Viajero Confiable program. Applicants go through background and criminal record checks, and people convicted of a serious criminal offence in any country, who haven’t yet been pardoned, are not eligible.
A few perks of Nexus membership include special kiosks and gates at major airports, access to TSA pre-check lines, dedicated lanes at land border crossings, and expedited clearance through security screening lines, where available.
In May 2021, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said there were 1.7 million Nexus cardholders, 77 per cent of whom were Canadian. After being shuttered for nearly a year during the pandemic, Nexus application centres have now reopened. However, CBSA told the Star in March that the pause resulted in a backlog of around 269,000 applications — each of which can take 12 to 14 months to process.
“Currently, Nexus is processing 10,000 memberships a week,” Alghabra said. “So the pace is picking up and I’m hopeful we’re going to see the backlog quickly dealt with.”
The program will roll out between June 7 and June 21 at international airports in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg, as well at Toronto Pearson International Airport and Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.
“A verified traveller program makes lines shorter for those who qualify, but also has a positive knock-on effect for making lines shorter for all passengers,” said Karen Mazurkewich, vice-president, stakeholder relations and communication at the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, which is responsible for managing and operating Pearson airport.
She said Pearson has been working with Transport Canada and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), the crown corporation responsible for airport security screening, for months on a test version of the program. “It was a successful pilot proving how low-risk travellers can be processed through pre-board screening.”
“I know this is going to be welcome news to those who rely on travel to support and grow their businesses, including tourism, film, music and innovation companies.”
“All of that is to strengthen the system and learn from the vulnerabilities we saw over the last year,” he said. “(We are doing) our best to regain the confidence of the traveller public.”
“As membership grows over time, the new verified traveller program will help improve the screening experience for more and more passengers while supporting the highest standards of safety and security,” Alghabra said.
To join the conversation set a first and last name in your user profile.
Sign in or register for free to join the Conversation