Every piece of airline cargo on passenger planes will now be screened, along with the people who handle them, announced the federal government yesterday.
Environment Minister Jim Prentice announced yesterday a $95.7-million airline cargo security program at the Calgary International Airport.
“We must remember that terrorism is not just something that happens somewhere else to someone else,” said Prentice.
“Today’s announcement to enhance cargo screening is yet another step towards ensuring the safety and security of air travellers.”
Seventy-five per cent of airline cargo is loaded onto passenger planes, according to Prentice, so it is important to make sure it is secure.
Border Services and Transport Canada will oversee carriers to ensure that every piece of cargo will be screened either physically, with trained dogs, explosives detection tests, or X-rays.
“This will require air cargo companies to make additional investments,” said Prentice, noting the value of air cargo shipments in Canada is $96.5 billion annually.
