OTTAWA — Canada’s airports are welcoming federal investment in biometric technology while calling for transparency and reinvestment as the government considers major changes to the country’s airport system.
The Canadian Airports Council (CAC) says it is reviewing measures outlined in the federal budget and is seeking further clarity on how the government plans to implement them.
The organization welcomed the advancement of a new Traveller Biometric Strategy, noting that airports and industry partners have advocated for the initiative and conducted successful pilot projects. CAC also supports the appointment of a special advisor at Transport Canada to accelerate coordination across government departments and agencies.
The federal budget also includes $192.5 million for the Canada Border Services Agency to modernize its digital infrastructure, which CAC says will be critical to advancing the strategy.
“We are pleased to see progress from government on prioritizing and funding the digitization of the traveller journey, including the use of biometrics, which has real potential to improve a passenger’s experience at the airport,” said Monette Pasher, President of the Canadian Airports Council.
CALL FOR TRANSPARENCY ON AIRPORT CONCESSIONS
Meanwhile, CAC is calling for a robust and transparent process as the government considers a path toward for-profit concessions at Canada’s four largest airports.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he wants private investors to operate Toronto Pearson, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver airports, with the federal government retaining ownership of the land and assets. The proposal has drawn criticism from labour groups. As Travelweek previously reported, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) has warned that airport privatization could lead to higher costs for travellers, increased pressure on airport workers and the loss of long-term public value.
The organization notes that these major hubs anchor a broader network of 26 National Airports System airports and dozens of regional and remote airports, meaning decisions affecting one part of the system could have implications for the wider aviation network and the communities it serves.
CAC says transparency and accountability should remain central to the process, with airports continuing to provide public reporting on fees, capital plans and results.
REINVESTMENT IN THE AVIATION SYSTEM
The council also supports the government’s intention to reinvest some proceeds from the proposed transaction into airport infrastructure, regional connectivity initiatives and airport-linked transportation. However, it is calling for the majority of any proceeds from monetizing airport assets to be reinvested in the airport and aviation system.
According to CAC, this would help support affordability, regional connectivity, system resilience and continued growth.
“The generational change proposed for the sector is significant and will require careful consideration. We need to move thoughtfully and transparently to get it right,” said Monette Pasher, President of the Canadian Airports Council.
AIRPORTS’ ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION
CAC says Canada’s airports serve 160 million travellers annually and support airlines in handling a significant portion of the country’s high-value air cargo carried in aircraft bellies. The system is funded almost entirely by its users, with no ongoing taxpayer subsidy.
Over the past three decades, airports have paid more than $8.4 billion in federal rent while reinvesting more than $30 billion of travellers’ money in infrastructure, including terminals, runways and systems. In 2025 alone, airports paid $556 million in rent to the federal government.
