|
Under escort of the RCMP, Senator Colin Kenny
and Minister John Baird were issued temporary security passes to enter
restricted areas of Toronto Pearson International Airport on Sunday, March 29,
2009.
Preliminary reports from the Minister and the Senator indicate that their
police escorts did not maintain visual contact at all times. Pending the
completion of this review, the GTAA has revoked the escort privileges of the
RCMP officers involved.
A Restricted Area Pass holder acting as escort is responsible for
monitoring the whereabouts and actions of temporary pass holders, and is
required to maintain visual contact at all times. If this visual contact is
lost, the escort is required to notify the Greater Toronto Airports Authority
(GTAA) immediately so that appropriate action may be taken.
The GTAA is concerned with the characterization of this incident as a
security breach since the Senator and the Minister were issued passes and were
under the supervision of the RCMP.
Transport Canada is conducting a review of the facts in this case and
will determine if any breach of security took place. The GTAA is cooperating
fully with this review and will react swiftly to any recommendations made by
Transport Canada.
As with all issues of safety and security, the GTAA is treating this
matter as very serious and hopes for an expeditious review by Transport
Canada.
The GTAA is the non-share, not for profit authority that operates Toronto
Pearson. In 2008, 32.3 million passengers travelled through Toronto Pearson.
|
