Federal regulationCanada Gazette, Part IComment Period Closed
Regulations Amending the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, 2012 (Security Program for Air Carriers)
Sponsoring body: Transport, Dept. ofIntroduced April 25, 2026Last checked August 25, 2026
Read the official text on gazette.gc.caOfficial version — Canada Gazette, Part I
What this regulation does
These regulations require certain international air carriers operating to and from Canada to create, implement, and maintain a written Security Program for Air Carriers (SPAC), bringing Canada into alignment with ICAO international aviation security standards that it has been out of compliance with since a 2016 audit finding.
Plain-language summary by Legisail.
Business impact
Compliance
The regulations affect 16 Canadian air carriers operating international flights and 81 foreign air carriers serving Canada — all operating scheduled commercial flights on aircraft certified for 20 or more passengers with a maximum take-off weight above 8,618 kg. If you run one of these airlines, you'll need to build out a formal written security program covering risk assessments, a strategic security plan, an emergency plan, annual internal audits, and staff training documentation — most of which you're probably already doing informally or to meet other countries' requirements. The government estimates Canadian carriers will spend about $2.9 million total over 12 years to comply, averaging roughly $476 per business per year in new administrative burden. Any cost increases may be passed on to passengers, estimated at between less than a cent and $1.91 per ticket depending on the carrier.
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Where this regulation is
Proposed
Comment period closed
Final publicationPending
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