Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Sep 24/01) - Terrorist activity in the United States has the Nunavut territorial government scrambling to supply residents with photo identification.
Following the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington, Transport Canada ordered airlines to beef up security measures.
One element of that increased security is a strong recommendation that carriers request photo identification of their passengers.
A Transport Canada spokes-person said Monday that domestic carriers may ask passengers flying within Canada to carry photo ID, but he added that the measure is primarily targeted at Canada's larger airports.
A photo ID requirement poses problems for Nunavummiut, many of whom have no photo ID. Unlike other jurisdictions, driver's licences and health cards in the territory do not have photographs on them.
Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet are the only communities in Nunavut that have facilities which provide photo identification.
Cabinet discussed the possibility of issuing a general identification card for Nunavummiut at a retreat being held in Repulse Bay last week.
Mike Courtney, executive assistant to Nunavut Transportation Minister Jack Anawak, said that the minister brought a discussion paper on the matter to the retreat.
"It was kind of put in at the last minute following last week's tragedy," said Courtney. "We just want to make sure that we're better prepared than we were," he added.
It is unclear when or even if residents will receive cards. Courtney said that cabinet would have to first give its approval to such a measure.
Reached in Repulse Bay, Premier Paul Okalik's press secretary pointed out the photo ID issue has come up before. Annette Bourgeois said Health Minister Ed Picco raised the matter in the past, and that, "what happened last week brought up the need for photo ID."
Tracy Beeman, First Air's director of marketing and communications, said Transport Canada's new regulations are, "a little bit vague, even to us."
Beeman adds that First Air is encouraging passengers to obtain photo identification. While the airline is not currently demanding photo IDs, that policy "could change at any time," if Transport Canada decides to make photo checks mandatory.
What's more, while First Air is not asking for ID, other carriers are.
That means people who don't have any form of photo ID might not be allowed to board connecting flights with other carriers.
The Transport Canada spokesperson said the department is "erring on the side of safety right now."
Transport chaos
A timeline
Sept. 11, 2001: Air travel across North America grinds to a halt after terrorists hijack four passenger jets in the United States. Two planes collide with the twin towers of the World Trade Centre, a third strikes the Pentagon, while a fourth crashes in Pennsylvania.
Sept. 12: Aircraft across North America remain grounded. The only exceptions are medevacs, military flights and humanitarian flights.
Sept. 13: Federal Transportation Minister David Collenette lifts restrictions on passenger travel. However, cargo restrictions remain in effect.
Sept. 14: Collenette lifts final restrictions on travel, allowing cargo to fly.
Sept. 17: Collenette announces that, effective immediately, cockpit doors must remain locked for the duration of domestic and international flights.
