Transport Committee on Aug. 19th, 2022

[Denis Vinette]

Thank you, Deputy.

We've been on the path to modernization of digital services for many years, and that led to the birth of the kiosks that we've seen in the airports. We are already working to transition to eGates with our air industry partners, and we've always had a plan to modernize through digital offerings, through various platforms. ArriveCAN was required for the capture of the public health measures, but the opportunity to provide your advance declaration was something that we already had in the books in terms of the type of work we were going to deliver. We had an opportunity as we worked with the airlines and the airport authorities to pursue that now, to further expedite the passage through the airports.

I can offer that you save about 30% of your passage time using a primary inspection kiosk. You save about 50% of your passage time using an eGate if you've provided your advance declaration. We are reaping the rewards of its use, already achieving about 35% of passenger traffic in the three airports where it's currently offered.

Digital services are one of those elements that the CBSA was pursuing and will continue to pursue across all modes, looking to bring that to our land border where we have significant masses, as well as those who enter Canada through pleasure marine craft and aircraft.

Thank you.

[Annie Koutrakis, Liberal, Vimy, QC]

I don't know who would be the appropriate person to ask. Is masking in any way creating any type of delay at our airports?

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

Give a 20-second response, please.

[Michael Keenan]

I would say that Transport Canada, with evolving regulations, continues to require masking while on a plane and in secure areas of an airport as a protection measure, and that's based on evidence. I don't have a sense that it materially affects the flow rates through the airport. It's not an issue where we feel there's a problem we had to solve with our industry partners, where something was being slowed down because of the fact that people are wearing masks.

I don't know if Denis or any of my colleagues might have a comment on that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

I think that's all the time we have, unfortunately, Mr. Keenan. Thank you very much, and thank you, Ms. Koutrakis.

I'd like to thank all our witnesses for appearing before committee today. Thank you very much for your time. It was greatly appreciated.

Before I conclude the meeting today, colleagues, I wanted to ask a very quick question. For those of you who are aware or not, we received an invitation from a parliamentary delegation from New Zealand that will be arriving in Ottawa towards the end of September. They've requested a meeting to discuss areas of importance for them, which would be transport and infrastructure. If there are no objections from members on this committee, I will instruct the clerk to move forward with the booking of an informal meeting that would not in any way take up the time of the committee's regular business.

[Dan Muys, Conservative, Flamborough—Glanbrook, ON]

We're certainly in agreement with that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

Seeing no objection, it is approved, and I will so instruct the clerk.

Thank you very much, everybody. Have a great rest of your summer.

The meeting is adjourned.