A group of influential Toronto business and travel leaders are calling for Canada to quickly create its own trusted-traveller program, a move it said will boost Toronto Pearson Airport and boost the local economy.
Leaders from Destination Toronto, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority today announced the formation of a coalition advocating for enhancements to air travel through Toronto Pearson and airports across Canada.
The coalition – Innovate. Travel. Canada. (“ITC”) – is a group of business and local leaders joining forces to ensure Toronto’s status as a global beacon of air travel. The coalition, which includes 15+ business leaders in sectors ranging from events and tourism, to business and city building, will advocate for long-term innovative and technology-based initiatives to help Toronto Pearson remain a world-class airport, leading the city into the future.
At a press conference hosted at Toronto Pearson, a group of ITC members, including Deborah Flint (President and CEO of GTAA/Toronto Pearson Airport), Rocco Rossi (President and CEO of Ontario Chamber of Commerce), and Scott Beck (President and CEO of Destination Toronto), announced the coalition’s first policy objective – the rapid rollout of an expanded Canadian trusted-traveller program, and government’s commitment to expedite digital solutions at borders to ensure seamless traffic through our airports. Secondary initiatives include enhanced digitization processes at the border and Canadian involvement in the Global Entry program.
“Air travel in Canada has faced significant challenges restarting business following COVID-19 pandemic. The GTAA is committed to advocating for a better travel experience for international and local travellers through Toronto Pearson and other Canadian airports,” said the Pearson’s Deborah Flint. “ITC is encouraging the federal government to rapidly roll out an expanded trusted traveller program to streamline pre-board screening, digitize cross-border travel and make it easier to arrive.”
The ITC understands that the implementation of an opt-in, cost-free and Canadian-led trusted-traveller program that would reduce security inspection of shoes and laptops and allow more passengers to be safely vetted, is on the government’s radar. The coalition is encouraging the federal government in Ottawa and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to expedite expansion of the program.
“Toronto is a city on the world stage, with a stellar reputation in the area of technology, it’s vital that our airport reflects that reputation,” said Scott Beck, President and CEO of Destination Toronto. “To continue attracting globally relevant meetings, conferences, concerts and sporting events, we must work together to innovate and transform the experience for the traveller.”
Passenger information board at Toronto Pearson Airport. JIM BYERS PHOTO
“Trusted-traveller programs have been implemented worldwide. They provide a safe and efficient way to clear low-risk travellers and offer a quick solution for reducing lines at airport security,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “Canada is years behind its peer countries in the G7 and G20 in implemented digital solutions at the border. Now is the time for Canada to announce the rapid rollout of an expanded Canadian-led trusted-traveller program.”
Canada is now part of the NEXUS program, which is run jointly with the United States. But officials say NEXUS is a border security program, and that they’re advocating for measures that would make it faster and easier to move through airport security, both for international and domestic travellers.
The GTAA and ITC are calling for the federal government to introduce the new national program to begin in the summer of 2023, identifying Budget 2023 as an excellent opportunity for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance to tackle these issues head-on.
About Innovate. Travel. Canada.
Innovate. Travel. Canada. is a collective of business leaders joining forces to ensure Toronto is a global beacon of air travel. The coalition will advocate for long-term innovative and technology-based initiatives to help Toronto Pearson remain a world-class airport, leading Canada’s largest city into the future.
The coalition comprises Toronto-based organizations, business leaders and city builders. Pearson Airport is Canada’s welcome mat, and the coalition’s membership, diverse by design, has a vested interest in making a positive first impression for visitors from all over the world.
