OTTAWA — The federal government implemented a series of changes to its security screening process in an effort to speed up screening times and improve passenger safety, but critics say the move could represent a security threat.

Canadians are now allowed to bring items such previously banned items as small manicure scissors and small eyeglass screwdrivers on their flights, Transport Minister Chuck Strahl said Thursday.

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) will also enforce other initiatives, including the installation of new equipment, Strahl said at an announcement at Ottawa International Airport.

"I want to make it perfectly clear — we have one of the safest and most secure aviation systems in the world and we intend to keep it that way," Strahl said.

"We're trying to strike that balance between security and safety and convenience for travellers," he said, noting that officials were shifting the focus from small items to big threats, such as bombs or other explosives.

These changes will decrease wait times for security screening by 30 per cent, according to Rob Merrifield, Minister of State for Transport.

The decision to allow any small scissor or tool no longer than six centimetres long — excluding the handle — came after a government review of CATSA's procedures in the spring of 2010.

Now, Canada's prohibited items list corresponds with the International Civil Aviation Organization's recommendation to permit small scissors and tools. It also aligns with U.S. and European rules, which have already allowed passengers to carry these items for years.

Passengers won't notice many subtle changes, but Merrifield promised they'd result in a faster, more efficient screening process.

"If you're caught in one of those queues, you're going to be moving a lot faster than you were before. You're not going to be hassled so much as you go through because you're dealing with a much smarter approach," he said.

New lanes specifically for families and those with special needs will be created with new equipment designed to screen bigger items such as strollers. Lines for frequent flyers will also be expanded.

More extensive criminal background checks for workers with access to secure areas at Canada's airports will also be enforced.

But Liberal MP John McCallum said he doesn't know why the rules are being changed to allow small scissors and tools onto planes.

"I don't know why it's necessary. They can be used as a weapon," he said, noting that he's heard that flight attendants have been concerned about scissors on planes.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents 9,000 flight attendants, in a statement wrote that "even a six centimetre blade can be used to hold passengers or crew members hostage, and can potentially be used to kill."

The International Air Transport Association, which represents 230 airlines, including Air Canada and Air Transat, applauded Canada's move to create more efficient screening.

Steve Lott, spokesman for the North America branch of IATA called the changes a "small step in the right direction."

"New and emerging threats have added processes or procedures at the checkpoints. . . . Now our fear is that the system has become significantly less efficient and it's led to longer lines and confusion among passengers," he said.

When the U.S. created separate lines for families and frequent flyers, wait times decreased by 20 per cent, Lott said.

He said Canada, the U.S. and the European Union need to work collaboratively to create a long-term vision for aviation security and checkpoints.

"We need to stop looking for bad objects and start looking for bad people. Based on what we've seen little tweezers and shampoo bottles aren't a threat. The threat has evolved," he said.

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