Responds To Reports Of Airport Workers In Montreal Possibly Being 'Radicalized'

Reports that four airport workers at Trudeau International Airport in Montreal had possibly been radicalized drew a measured response from Canada's Minister of Transport The Honourable Marc Garneau.

The Montreal Gazette reports that the company that operates the airport has not been informed of any specific threats related to the four airport employees who had their access levels scaled back because of the possibility of radicalization.

In a statement, Garneau (pictured) said the safety and security of Canadians remains a top priority for the Government.

"Airports are secure environments protected by a multi-layered approach to security. Transport Canada works closely with partners such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, Canada Border Services Agency, Airport Authorities and local law enforcement agencies to maintain the highest security standards at Canadian airports," he said.

"In order to enter the restricted area of an airport, airport workers must obtain a Transportation Security Clearance (TSC) from Transport Canada. Before a TSC is granted, Transport Canada verifies that an individual does not pose a threat to the Canadian Aviation System, including completing background checks with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the RCMP, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

"As part of Transport Canada's ongoing vetting process, all TSC holders with access to airport restricted areas are verified daily in a police database. When criminal activity is identified, we take immediate action and can suspend or revoke the clearance of an individual. As part of our ongoing security protocols, more than 1,100 clearances have been refused or cancelled at airports across the country over the past 2 years.

"These daily police checks are part of our Government's integrated and multi-layered transportation security system that combines these partnerships, intelligence assessment and sharing, policing, physical security, regulations, training and the use of human and technical resources to help minimize risks. This includes the requirement for airport workers to pass through a screening checkpoint when accessing airport secure areas.

"Canadians can be assured that their Government takes security matters very seriously and will not hesitate to take appropriate action to mitigate risks and respond to any threats, when identified, to the transportation system."

(Source: Transport Canada news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.tc.gc.ca