Large, office-sized printer cartridges are no longer allowed on some flights, according to new security measures enacted on Monday, ten days after it was revealed that two explosive packages were making their way through international airports.
Canada's new security measures went into effect at noon Monday, aiming to enhance the security of air travel through the country.
According to the new measures, passengers flying from a Canadian airport into the United States are not permitted to travel with office-sized ink and toner cartridges that weight 454 grams or more in their checked luggage or their carry-on luggage.
Passengers flying from a Canadian airport to a domestic destination or an international destination outside of the U.S. cannot carry the large cartridges in their checked luggage either. These passengers may carry the cartridges as carry-on -- however, Transport Canada warns cartridges belonging to these passengers will be taken out and subject to further screening by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority.
Under the new measures, air carriers are banned from carrying cartridge cargo on passenger flights, but they are permitted to carry this cargo on cargo-only flights.
Smaller cartridges, commonly used in personal computers, are still permitted.
Transport Minister Chuck Strahl told reporters Monday there "is a concern the toner cartridges will be used by terrorists again, and especially the larger, more commercial grade toner cartridges are large enough to be a significant risk.
"We just want to make sure that the traveling public can be assured that it is safe and we are taking efforts in concert with our close partners to make sure it stays that way."
The ban is a direct result of two packages discovered in the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates two weeks ago. The packages were found to be bombs hidden inside large, office printer cartridges.
All cargo and mail from Yemen and Somalia have also been banned from entering Canada.
"Our government's highest priority is the continued safety and security of Canadians and the travelling public," Strahl said in a news release. "While there was and is no current information that these incidents were targeting Canada, we will continue to monitor the international security environment closely and take further action as appropriate to protect air travellers."
The news release says the announcement coincides with similar measures announced by U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday.
"Canada is not immune from terrorist threats. Our law enforcement and security agencies remain vigilant and always work closely with their counterparts in the United States to protect our shared border," said Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews. "We face the same threats and share the same concerns."
Strahl said Canadian and American officials are meeting in Washington today to work on a risk assessment of air cargo.
The two suspicious packages found in the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates were destined for the U.S.
Airports across Canada and the U.S. were immediately launched into high-alert.
