The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA; French: Administration canadienne de la sûreté du transport aérien) is the Canadian Crown Corporation responsible for security screening of people and baggage and the administration of identity cards at the 89 designated airports in Canada.

[4] The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority was officially formed April 1, 2002, following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 in the United States.

CATSA shares responsibility for civil aviation security with several federal government departments and agencies, air carriers and airport operators.

For example, a domestic traveller with large sums of cash (not illegal) was reported by CATSA to the local police.

Watt, however, came from a military background instead, having previously served as Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force.