Toronto Pearson does not direct or oversee policing at the airport. It is a shared responsibility of many agencies. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) enforces federal laws and supports investigations related to cross‑border and national security threats. Peel Regional Police provides primary policing services, including law enforcement and emergency response. Other security matters are a shared responsibility. In addition to the RCMP and Peel Regional Police, Canada Border Services Agency, CATSA and Transport Canada each operate under their own legislative framework under Canadian law.
Key Facts
- Toronto Pearson takes security and the integrity of Canada's border extremely seriously.
- Security and policing at Toronto Pearson are a shared responsibility among several agencies operating under their own legislative authorities.
- Peel Regional Police is responsible for primary policing services at Toronto Pearson and has jurisdiction over criminal activity at the airport.
- The RCMP, CBSA, CATSA and Transport Canada also have distinct security-related responsibilities.
- Toronto Pearson supports these agencies with airport security infrastructure, access controls, monitoring systems and information sharing.
- Airport security requirements operate within a regulatory framework and are never subordinated to operational or commercial considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who polices Toronto Pearson Airport?
No single organization is responsible for all aspects of airport security.
Security at Toronto Pearson is coordinated with multiple agencies and government partners. Each has clearly defined responsibilities under Canadian law and operates independently within its own legislative and operational framework.
The organizations most commonly involved in policing, border security and security oversight at Toronto Pearson are:
- Peel Regional Police
- The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
- The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
- The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA)
- Transport Canada
- Toronto Pearson's internal security teams
Together, these organizations help detect, deter and respond to criminal activity, security threats and other risks.
What is Toronto Pearson's approach to airport security?
Toronto Pearson takes airport security and the integrity of Canada’s border extremely seriously. Security is considered a shared responsibility among airport operators, law enforcement agencies, border-security organizations and federal regulators working together to help keep passengers and the public safe.
What does Peel Regional Police do at Toronto Pearson?
Peel Regional Police has jurisdiction for policing Toronto Pearson and plays the lead role in responding to criminal matters at the airport.
Its responsibilities include:
- Responding to criminal activity
- Conducting law-enforcement investigations
- Emergency response
- Public safety and policing services across the airport
- Addressing risks of organized crime, trafficking and insider threats
What does the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) do at Toronto Pearson?
As Canada's largest international airport, Toronto Pearson is a major point of entry into Canada. The CBSA is responsible for border security and border enforcement.
Its responsibilities include:
- Screening goods and people entering Canada
- Intercepting prohibited goods
- Enforcing customs and immigration laws
- Investigating organized crime activities related to border enforcement
- Detaining individuals deemed to pose threats to national security
What does the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) do at Toronto Pearson?
The RCMP enforces federal laws and supports investigations involving:
- Cross-border criminal activity
- National security threats
- Federal offences
- Organized crime investigations with federal jurisdiction
The RCMP works closely with other law enforcement and security partners operating at the airport.
What does the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) do at Toronto Pearson?
CATSA is responsible for aviation security screening.
Its responsibilities include:
- Passenger screening
- Carry-on baggage screening
- Checked baggage screening
- Access control screening for workers entering secure areas
CATSA's role is focused on preventing prohibited items from entering secure areas of the airport and the aviation system.
What does Transport Canada do at Toronto Pearson?
Transport Canada establishes and oversees aviation security requirements in Canada.
Its responsibilities include:
- Establishing aviation security regulations
- Managing security screening frameworks
- Managing security clearance programs
- Conducting background checks required for airport security clearances
- Establishing security requirements across federally regulated airports
Transport Canada provides the regulatory framework within which airport security programs operate.
Toronto Pearson’s role in airport security
What security responsibilities does Toronto Pearson have?
Toronto Pearson works closely with law enforcement and government partners but is not itself a policing agency.
The airport supports security efforts through:
- Access control systems
- Security infrastructure
- Camera and monitoring systems
- Internal security personnel
- Security training and awareness programs
- Operational coordination with security partners
Toronto Pearson actively supports investigations by providing security infrastructure and working collaboratively with partner agencies to detect, deter and disrupt criminal activity.
Security requirements are implemented within a regulatory framework and are never subordinated to operational or commercial considerations.
Does Toronto Pearson oversee police investigations?
No. Toronto Pearson does not direct or oversee policing investigations related to criminal matters. Those responsibilities belong to Peel Regional Police and other law enforcement agencies operating under their respective authorities.
Security Screening and Secure Area Access
How are airport workers screened?
Airport workers must meet strict security requirements before being granted a Restricted Area Identity Card (RAIC) by Transport Canada to access secure areas.
Requirements include:
- Security training
- Background screening and applicable clearances
- Compliance with access-control requirements
- Role-specific training provided by employers
Toronto Pearson’s Pass Office handles the application process for all airport staff, while Transport Canada issues and manages RAICs. Even with a RAIC, airport workers are only permitted in restricted areas if there is an operational need for them to be there.
Who controls access to secure areas?
Access to secure areas is managed through a combination of:
- Transport Canada security-clearance requirements
- CATSA access screening processes
- Airport access-control systems
Employer authorization processes
Multiple safeguards exist to ensure that only authorized individuals can enter restricted areas.
Security Infrastructure and Technology
How does Toronto Pearson monitor security risks?
Toronto Pearson continues to invest in security infrastructure to support threat detection, monitoring and response.
Between 2023 and 2026, the airport added 380 new cameras, bringing the total number of cameras across the airport to nearly 4,000.
This expanded coverage includes:
- Critical operational areas
- Secure areas
- Public-facing areas
- Locations identified through ongoing risk assessments
- These investments help support:
- Monitoring activities across the airport
- Analysis of security incidents
- Investigation support
- Rapid response to potential security concerns
The airport regularly reviews and enhances security measures to address evolving threats and vulnerabilities.
Security Culture at Toronto Pearson
How does Toronto Pearson help prevent criminal activity?
Toronto Pearson maintains a high level of vigilance for suspicious activity and cooperates closely with its partners to detect and deter crime.
Toronto Pearson works with:
- Law enforcement agencies
- Government partners
- Airlines
- Airport employers
- Security personnel
These partners support a range of prevention, monitoring and response activities across the airport.
The airport continuously reviews security procedures and works with partners to strengthen safeguards, address risks and maintain a safe and secure environment for passengers, workers and visitors.
Common Misconceptions
Misconception: Toronto Pearson handles all airport security
No. Airport security is a shared responsibility involving multiple agencies, each with a specific mandate. This layered approach is designed to strengthen security and ensure that threats can be addressed through coordinated action.
Misconception: Toronto Pearson is responsible for policing criminal activity at the airport
Toronto Pearson is not a police service and does not oversee criminal investigations. Primary policing responsibilities at the airport fall to Peel Regional Police, while other agencies such as the RCMP and CBSA have distinct responsibilities defined under Canadian law.
Misconception: Airport security is only about passenger screening
Passenger screening is only one part of the broader security framework. Airport security includes many different functions, including:
- Law enforcement
- Border enforcement
- Passenger screening
- Worker screening
- Access control
- Security clearances
- Threat detection
- Monitoring and investigation support
Misconception: All baggage claim areas are in restricted access zones
International baggage claim areas are restricted and controlled, with entry limited to authorized individuals and subject to established access controls and escort requirements. Domestic baggage claim areas in most North American airports are not designed to operate like restricted passenger screening points, and the public has access. However, all baggage areas are monitored through surveillance cameras, security patrols and coordinated response protocols with law enforcement.