The specified-persons list includes the name, date of birth and gender of individuals who have been identified as people who may pose an immediate threat to aviation security should they board a flight.

The Government of Canada maintains the list, which is provided to airlines in secure form. Under the identity-screening regulations, airlines are required to screen each person’s name against the specified-persons list for any person who appears to be 18 years of age or older before issuing a boarding pass. The regulations take into account the various ways in which the boarding pass may be obtained, such as at an airport check-in counter or kiosk or via the Internet.

The airlines compare the names of individuals intending to board flights with the names on the specified-persons list. When there is a name match, the airline will use the individual’s government-issued identification information to verify whether it matches the name, date of birth and gender of someone on the list. This verification is done in person, at the airport check-in counter.

When there is a potential match, the airline is required to inform Transport Canada. Transport Canada will then verify the information with the airline to confirm whether the individual poses an immediate threat to aviation security. If necessary, Transport Canada will inform the airline that the individual is not permitted to board the flight.