Safeguarding Canadians with Passenger Protect

The Passenger Protect Program works with air carriers to screen commercial passenger flights to, from and within Canada, and uses specific, reasonable and necessary measures to address security threats.  

How the Passenger Protect Program Works

This program is administered by Public Safety Canada and Transport Canada, in cooperation with several federal departments and agencies. It allows the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, to list an individual if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that:

1. the individual will engage or attempt to engage in an act that would threaten transportation security; or
2. they are attempting to travel abroad to commit certain terrorism offences, as defined in the Criminal Code, such as terrorist attacks, funding for weapons, training and recruitment.

The Minister may direct an air carrier to take a specific, reasonable and necessary action to prevent a listed person from engaging in such activities, such as by directing an air carrier to deny transportation to the individual or require them to undergo additional screening.

Consulting on Considered Changes to the Secure Air Travel Regulations (SATR)

In 2017, Parliament introduced Bill C-59, an Act respecting national security matters, which proposes amendments to the Secure Air Travel Act. These amendments would help to enhance the Passenger Protect Program and better safeguard national security. In addition to proposing new provisions in the legislation, there is a need to amend the Secure Air Travel Regulations, should Bill C-59 receive Royal Assent, in order to enable, among other components, the centralized screening and redress aspects of the Enhanced Passenger Protect Program.

Interested stakeholders are able to provide their input on these considered regulations by:

• emailing the Public Safety Passenger Protect Program email address at PS.PPP-PPP.SP@Canada.ca, or
• online by visiting the Consulting with Canadians website.

Public Safety Canada values your insight and would like to receive your feedback on the considered regulatory changes or any other aspects of the Passenger Protect Program via the following email address: PS.PPP-PPP.SP@canada.ca by November 25, 2018, 11:59pm EST. Please note that other opportunities to provide comments and concerns will be provided, for instance, at pre-publication in Canada Gazette, Part I, which is expected following Royal Assent on Bill C-59.

The Passenger Protect Inquiries Office (PPIO)

The PPIO is in place to provide advice and assistance to individuals who have experienced travel delays or difficulties related to aviation security lists.

Understanding Delays at Airport Check-in

Security screening measures at airports, including identity screening at check-in, are an important part of protecting you and your fellow travellers. Delays sometimes occur, but every effort is made to ensure that disruptions are minimal.

What Documents Do I Need to Travel?

Bringing the proper identification to the airport will help with an efficient identity screening and check-in process.

I Have Received a Written Notification that I have Been Denied Boarding under the Secure Air Travel Act

Only an individual who has been subject to a written direction under the Passenger Protect Program will know that he or she is a listed person. If you have been denied boarding and received a written notification, you may apply to the Minister to be removed from the list. Read more about applying for removal from the list.

If you have not received written notification of a direction, you have not been denied boarding under the Passenger Protect Program.

United States (U.S.) Secure Flight Program and Other Aviation Security Initiatives

The Passenger Protect Program does not operate in conjunction with aviation security programs delivered by other countries, such as the U.S. Secure Flight Program (including the "No Fly" list), or organizations.

Resources for Travelers

Date modified:

2018-09-25