Canadian Government Mulls Security Fee Hike

Let's face it. Increased security costs a lot of money. Why do you think we have that September 11th security fee down here in the states?

Just like after September 11th, the "underwear bomber" has caused an increase in security as well. Canada, for example, is spending $11 million (CAD) to install 44 body scanners. Using the latest exchange rates, that's about $243,000 US dollars a pop. Not cheap. The Canadian government is also dedicating additional funding ($1.5 billion over five years) to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) to continue improving security.

And, of course, someone has to pay for that. So the government is considering an increase in the already-existing security charge for passengers, which range from $5 to $17 (each way). Domestic fees would go up by $2.58, transborder $4.37, and international $8.91. The government hopes for this to be in place by April 1, though the move needs to move through the Canadian legislative system first.

But such a move is not very popular with airlines (just ask an airline executive here in the Stats about PFCs). Even a small increase in the fee increases the final price of a ticket, and airlines are concerned that an increase might mean lost business for them. As such, they prefer that CATSA funding come from general government revenues. But, one can see the government's logic - shouldn't the citizens who are actually using the service pay for it? But then again, it is a national security issue. What do you think?

Read more at The Vancouver Sun.