Security within Toronto Pearson's baggage system is a shared responsibility involving airlines, airport operators, government agencies and law enforcement partners. This page explains how checked baggage moves through the airport, who is responsible for it at each stage and the measures in place to help protect Canada's aviation system.
Key facts
- Toronto Pearson processes approximately 30 million bags annually through one of Canada's largest and most complex baggage systems.
- Responsibility for baggage security is shared among airlines, Toronto Pearson, CATSA, CBSA, Peel Regional Police, the RCMP and Transport Canada.
- Airport workers who access secure baggage areas must meet access-control and screening requirements.
- Toronto Pearson continues to invest in baggage infrastructure and security systems through its Pearson LIFT modernization program.
How does baggage move through Toronto Pearson?
After a passenger checks in a bag at a bag drop machine or counter, its tag is scanned and entered into the airport's tracking system. The bag then moves through a network of conveyors and scanners that read its barcode and route it toward the correct departure gate.
Before being loaded onto an aircraft, checked baggage passes through security screening systems to identify prohibited items.
For arriving flights, baggage is unloaded from aircraft, transported to the terminal area and fed into the baggage system, where it is directed to the appropriate arrivals carousel for passenger collection.
Who is responsible for baggage?
Airlines are responsible for baggage from the point it is accepted for travel until it is delivered to baggage claim belt the destination airport.
Airlines, or companies working on their behalf, are responsible for:
- Check-in operations
- Baggage acceptance
- Ground handling services
- Loading bags onto aircraft
- Unloading bags from aircraft
- Gate-checked baggage services
Who protects baggage at Toronto Pearson?
Security within the baggage system relies on multiple organizations, each with distinct responsibilities under Canadian law:
- Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA): CATSA screens checked baggage before it is loaded onto aircraft. It also operates checkpoints used by baggage handlers and other employees entering restricted areas of the airport.
- Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA): CBSA is responsible for border enforcement and the interception of prohibited goods in passenger baggage. The agency also investigates organized crime activities, including those related to the smuggling of goods across Canada's borders.
- Peel Regional Police: Peel Regional Police provides primary policing services at Toronto Pearson, including law enforcement and emergency response. The service plays a lead role in addressing risks related to organized crime, trafficking and insider threats, including within baggage-handling areas.
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP): The RCMP enforces federal laws and supports investigations involving cross-border criminal activity and national security threats.
- Transport Canada: Transport Canada establishes aviation security regulations, security-screening requirements and clearance frameworks designed to protect Canada's aviation system. These requirements help ensure that airport workers with access to secure baggage areas have undergone appropriate background checks and security vetting.
What role does Toronto Pearson play?
Toronto Pearson is responsible for the infrastructure and facilities that support baggage processing. This includes:
- Check-in equipment
- Baggage sortation systems
- Conveyor networks
- Arrival baggage carousels
The airport also supports security through:
- Access-control systems
- Security infrastructure
- Monitoring systems
- Internal security functions
- Security reviews and procedural improvements
Toronto Pearson works closely with airlines, government agencies and law enforcement partners to support deterrence, monitoring and incident-response activities across the airport. Reporting unusual or suspicious activity remains a core element of the airport's security culture.
How is access to baggage areas controlled?
Access to baggage-handling areas is restricted.
Airport workers who require access to secure areas must satisfy access requirements established through Canada's aviation-security framework. These measures include security clearances, background checks and screening requirements administered by relevant government agencies.
Access is granted based on operational need and authorization.
What investments is Toronto Pearson making in baggage security and reliability?
Through the Pearson LIFT investment program, Toronto Pearson is investing in baggage-handling infrastructure designed to improve operational reliability and responsiveness. Planned improvements include:
- New baggage carousels in Terminal 1
- Sensor technology to detect and respond to baggage-system issues such as belt jams
Toronto Pearson also continues to invest in security systems, including camera coverage and monitoring capabilities that support detection, monitoring and incident response.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for baggage security at Toronto Pearson?
Baggage security is a shared responsibility involving airlines, Toronto Pearson, CATSA, CBSA, Peel Regional Police, the RCMP and Transport Canada. Each organization has a distinct role under Canadian law.
Does Toronto Pearson screen baggage?
Baggage screening is conducted by CATSA. Toronto Pearson supports baggage processing by providing the infrastructure, facilities and security systems that enable screening and baggage handling operations.
Who investigates criminal activity involving baggage?
Depending on the nature of the activity, investigations may involve Peel Regional Police, CBSA, the RCMP or other agencies with relevant jurisdiction.
How are airport baggage areas secured?
Security measures include baggage screening, access controls, employee screening requirements, security clearances, monitoring systems and law-enforcement oversight.
What is Toronto Pearson doing to improve baggage operations?
Through Pearson LIFT, the airport is investing in updated baggage infrastructure, including new baggage carousels and technology designed to improve system reliability and responsiveness.