Evidence of meeting #10 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was catsa.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:45 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
I'm going to stop it there.
I'm sorry, Mr. Richards, we're just past the seven minutes.
Ms. Crombie.
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
Bonnie Crombie Liberal Mississauga—Streetsville, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. McGarr, you said that a physical search was just as effective as a scanner, so why spend $11 million?
9:45 a.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
To offer an alternative to the physical search that is equally effective, more efficient, and allows for greater throughput at the screening checkpoint.
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
Bonnie Crombie Liberal Mississauga—Streetsville, ON
Thank you.
You've been evaluating L-3 since 2008, yet we use the events of December 25 as an excuse to purchase the scanners. Is that correct?
9:45 a.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
No. The acquisition of imaging technology was part of CATSA's plan. I would say to you that the events of December 25 accelerated that plan.
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
9:45 a.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
It was a circumstance that brought to light the need to acquire this technology as soon as possible.
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
Bonnie Crombie Liberal Mississauga—Streetsville, ON
I'm also confused as to who precisely is responsible for awarding the contract to L-3. Was that CATSA or was that Transport Canada?
9:45 a.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
No, it is CATSA.
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
Bonnie Crombie Liberal Mississauga—Streetsville, ON
It's CATSA.
Do you regularly or have you ever before awarded a contract to one single supplier?
9:45 a.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
Yes, we have.
9:45 a.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
Quite often the technology that we require for our operations is provided by one sole supplier. In order that technology be deployed in the airports, it has to be technology that has been placed on an approved products list that is maintained by Transport Canada.
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
Bonnie Crombie Liberal Mississauga—Streetsville, ON
Are there Canadian firms on that approved product list?
9:45 a.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
For many different technologies, yes, there are.
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
Bonnie Crombie Liberal Mississauga—Streetsville, ON
Okay.
Let me just change tacks for a second, if I may. Did anyone from L-3 Communications or their representatives here in Ottawa meet with you prior to awarding the contract? If so, who would that have been?
9:45 a.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
L-3 is a long-standing provider of technology to CATSA. We have been buying technology from them since the organization was created. They supply a large component of the explosive detection systems that we use for hold bag screening.
9:50 a.m.
Liberal
Bonnie Crombie Liberal Mississauga—Streetsville, ON
Do you meet with them regularly, or their representatives, and who would those representatives be?
9:50 a.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
The local representative in Ottawa for L-3 is a gentleman by the name of Ian McNaughton, I believe. We have met with a number of people from the company.
9:50 a.m.
Liberal
Bonnie Crombie Liberal Mississauga—Streetsville, ON
Have you ever met with David Angus from Capital Hill Group?
9:50 a.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
Have I ever met David Angus? Yes, I have.
9:50 a.m.
Liberal
9:50 a.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
Mr. Angus represents clients in that domain. Yes, that is exact.
9:50 a.m.
Liberal
Bonnie Crombie Liberal Mississauga—Streetsville, ON
When would you have met with Mr. Angus to discuss airport security?
9:50 a.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
I do not....