Let’s talk: Expanding Transportation Security Clearance Requirement to Additional Port and Marine Facility Employees

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Background

Canadian ports are essential parts of Canada’s transportation network and supply chain, enabling and coordinating the import and export of cargo and essential goods every day. Given the critical role ports play in Canada’s transportation system, they also become targets for illegal activities such as auto-theft, the movement of drugs, and other illicit goods.

Transport Canada’s Marine Transportation Security Regulations set requirements for Canadian ports and marine facilities to help detect threats and prevent security incidents. To reduce the risk of insider threats, these regulations require certain employees working specifically at Canada’s largest ports to obtain a Transportation Security Clearance (TSC) as a condition of employment. To obtain a TSC, an applicant must complete a comprehensive background check, which considers current or past membership in organized criminal groups and activities that could indicate a threat to marine transportation security.

Issue

Currently, the scope of port employees who require a TSC is limited to certain employees working at Canada’s largest ports and is based on their duties. This includes employees who have security responsibilities or access/control over cargo information or movement and employees who require access to restricted areas (for example, areas which contain controls for security and surveillance systems, as well as those that are designated for the loading or unloading of cargo).

Similarly, many occupations at marine facilities and ports do not require TSC screening but may still pose security risks that could potentially lead to illegal activities.

Transport Canada is proposing to expand TSC requirements at Canadian ports and marine facilities. By leveraging TSCs, Transport Canada could further mitigate security threats related to criminal activity at Canadian ports. The goal is to help further secure the country’s borders, supply chains and critical infrastructure from emerging threats and infiltration.

We want to hear from you

We want to hear from stakeholders and the Canadian public as to what they think about these proposed changes and how they may impact them.

How to participate

  • Choose “Register” at the top of the page, and join the discussion under the “Have Your Say” tab.
  • Submit your comments in a Word or PDF document through the “Submissions” tab. You can upload more than one document.
  • You can also email us your comments at marine.security-sécurité.maritime@tc.gc.ca.

Background

Canadian ports are essential parts of Canada’s transportation network and supply chain, enabling and coordinating the import and export of cargo and essential goods every day. Given the critical role ports play in Canada’s transportation system, they also become targets for illegal activities such as auto-theft, the movement of drugs, and other illicit goods.

Transport Canada’s Marine Transportation Security Regulations set requirements for Canadian ports and marine facilities to help detect threats and prevent security incidents. To reduce the risk of insider threats, these regulations require certain employees working specifically at Canada’s largest ports to obtain a Transportation Security Clearance (TSC) as a condition of employment. To obtain a TSC, an applicant must complete a comprehensive background check, which considers current or past membership in organized criminal groups and activities that could indicate a threat to marine transportation security.

Issue

Currently, the scope of port employees who require a TSC is limited to certain employees working at Canada’s largest ports and is based on their duties. This includes employees who have security responsibilities or access/control over cargo information or movement and employees who require access to restricted areas (for example, areas which contain controls for security and surveillance systems, as well as those that are designated for the loading or unloading of cargo).

Similarly, many occupations at marine facilities and ports do not require TSC screening but may still pose security risks that could potentially lead to illegal activities.

Transport Canada is proposing to expand TSC requirements at Canadian ports and marine facilities. By leveraging TSCs, Transport Canada could further mitigate security threats related to criminal activity at Canadian ports. The goal is to help further secure the country’s borders, supply chains and critical infrastructure from emerging threats and infiltration.

We want to hear from you

We want to hear from stakeholders and the Canadian public as to what they think about these proposed changes and how they may impact them.

How to participate

  • Choose “Register” at the top of the page, and join the discussion under the “Have Your Say” tab.
  • Submit your comments in a Word or PDF document through the “Submissions” tab. You can upload more than one document.
  • You can also email us your comments at marine.security-sécurité.maritime@tc.gc.ca.
Discussions: All (5) Open (5)
  • Do you think Transportation Security Clearance requirements should also apply to smaller ports and marine facilities?

    5 days ago
    Share Do you think Transportation Security Clearance requirements should also apply to smaller ports and marine facilities? on Facebook Share Do you think Transportation Security Clearance requirements should also apply to smaller ports and marine facilities? on Twitter Share Do you think Transportation Security Clearance requirements should also apply to smaller ports and marine facilities? on Linkedin Email Do you think Transportation Security Clearance requirements should also apply to smaller ports and marine facilities? link

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  • Which factors do you believe should be used to determine if a port or marine facility should be subject to Transportation Security Clearance requirements?

    5 days ago
    Share Which factors do you believe should be used to determine if a port or marine facility should be subject to Transportation Security Clearance requirements? on Facebook Share Which factors do you believe should be used to determine if a port or marine facility should be subject to Transportation Security Clearance requirements? on Twitter Share Which factors do you believe should be used to determine if a port or marine facility should be subject to Transportation Security Clearance requirements? on Linkedin Email Which factors do you believe should be used to determine if a port or marine facility should be subject to Transportation Security Clearance requirements? link

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    For example, its size, operations, physical characteristics, etc.

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  • What criteria do you believe should be used to determine if an individual should obtain a Transportation Security Clearance?

    5 days ago
    Share What criteria do you believe should be used to determine if an individual should obtain a Transportation Security Clearance? on Facebook Share What criteria do you believe should be used to determine if an individual should obtain a Transportation Security Clearance? on Twitter Share What criteria do you believe should be used to determine if an individual should obtain a Transportation Security Clearance? on Linkedin Email What criteria do you believe should be used to determine if an individual should obtain a Transportation Security Clearance? link

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    For example, their role at the port, the areas they have access to, etc.

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  • What would be the impact to you individually or operationally if the requirements to obtain a Transportation Security Clearance were extended?

    5 days ago
    Share What would be the impact to you individually or operationally if the requirements to obtain a Transportation Security Clearance were extended? on Facebook Share What would be the impact to you individually or operationally if the requirements to obtain a Transportation Security Clearance were extended? on Twitter Share What would be the impact to you individually or operationally if the requirements to obtain a Transportation Security Clearance were extended? on Linkedin Email What would be the impact to you individually or operationally if the requirements to obtain a Transportation Security Clearance were extended? link

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  • What impacts to Canada's maritime transportation system could result from extending requirements to obtain a Transportation Security Clearance to more people employed at Canadian ports?

    5 days ago
    Share What impacts to Canada's maritime transportation system could result from extending requirements to obtain a Transportation Security Clearance to more people employed at Canadian ports? on Facebook Share What impacts to Canada's maritime transportation system could result from extending requirements to obtain a Transportation Security Clearance to more people employed at Canadian ports? on Twitter Share What impacts to Canada's maritime transportation system could result from extending requirements to obtain a Transportation Security Clearance to more people employed at Canadian ports? on Linkedin Email What impacts to Canada's maritime transportation system could result from extending requirements to obtain a Transportation Security Clearance to more people employed at Canadian ports? link

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    Please provide details and examples as necessary.

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Page last updated: 04 Feb 2025, 03:21 PM