In January, CTV News discovered large, easily traversable holes in the perimeter fence around YVR airport. Some of the fence was also made of plastic, not coated steel.
Five months later, after the federal government announced it was investing $96-million to boost airport security across Canada, CTV decided to see if things at YVR had changed.
In a statement issued on Monday, the airport said that any gaps in the fence found in January were immediately repaired, and that security was never compromised.
It also said YVR "has a multi-layered approach to security."
Visiting the property, CTV found some of the perimeter fence had been replaced – but it was already ripping in some areas, and the plastic fencing remained.
At the north perimeter of the property, you can get close enough to landing jets to wave at the pilot – and a bolt cutter appears to be all that's needed to get through the locks on access gates that lead to a runway.
CTV saw the occasional patrol vehicle, but still no visible security cameras. And more holes in the fencing were found that were easily large enough for a person to pass through.
The federal government's security announcement on Monday had few details, and focused on cargo inspection.
Asked what Ottawa would do to improve security at airport perimeters, heritage minister James Moore acknowledged YVR's fence raised concerns.
"We expect all airports and security agencies at those airports have the highest standard of security possible," he said.
But five months after CTV pointed out security lapses at YVR, holes remain you could literally drive a truck through.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Peter Grainger
