Canada to Probe Missing Airport Uniforms

[BEER980]

Canada to Probe Missing Airport Uniforms


TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada's transport minister has launched a probe into the disappearance of airport uniforms and badges and demanded a report into the security breach by Monday, Canadian media reported on Sunday. CBC television reported that one thousand uniforms and security badges were missing from federal airport screeners in 89 airports across the country during the first nine months of 2004.

Federal Transport Minister Jean Lapierre ordered a probe by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority and will receive a report on Monday. Lapierre said Jacques Duchesneau, president of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, will make public the results of the investigation.

The minister alerted Canada's airport screeners to double-check airport employee identification in all 89 airports and said Canadians have nothing to worry about at this moment. After the attacks on Sept. 11, Ottawa invested billions of dollars to improve airport security, although Americans often view Canada's airport security as lax.

"Transport Canada is issuing a notice to all concerned Canadian airport operators requesting they remind airport employees of the need to be vigilant both at airport entry points and on an ongoing basis in their workplace," the Minister said in a statement on Saturday.

Some of the lost items were discovered on eBay, an online auction site.