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Canada's Actions Since The September 11 Attacks

The Government of Canada's record on anti-terrorism is clearly one of action and decisiveness. Since the September 11^th attacks, Canada has achieved a strong state of readiness and has the tools and the political will to counter and respond decisively to acts of terrorism. Canada has implemented an Anti-Terrorism Plan that includes:

• Strong legislation: The Anti-Terrorism Act and the Public Safety Act were designed to improve Canada's capacity to prevent terrorist attacks, protect our citizens and respond quickly should a threat be identified. All of these objectives are pursued while promoting the values reflected in, and the rights and freedoms guaranteed by, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
• Improved cooperation with our allies: The Government of Canada works closely with other allies to address the terrorism threat. These efforts are focused in multilateral fora, such as the United Nations (UN) and the G-8, and through various bilateral and regional relationships. Canada and the United States have solidified their security cooperation at the border with the signature of the Canada-U.S. Smart Border Declaration in December 2001. Under the Canadian presidency in 2002, the G-8 created the Global Partnership Program aimed at reducing the threat posed by the potential acquisition and use of weapons and materials of mass destruction by terrorists.
• New investments: Canada will invest $7.7 billion over five years to enhance security for Canadians. Budget 2001 included major investments to: equip and deploy more intelligence; improve coordination among agencies; enhance border, airport, and marine security; improve screening of immigrants, refugee claimants and visitors; and improve critical infrastructure protection and emergency preparedness.

A new Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (PSEP), which includes emergency preparedness, crisis management, national security, corrections, policing, oversight, crime prevention and border functions, was created in December 2003. The new department allows Canada to meet vital national security obligations under the coordinated leadership of a single Cabinet minister.

As part of PSEP's portfolio, the Government also created a new border agency, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), to build on the Smart Border Initiative and to ensire the twin goals of public safety and economic security. The CBSA integrates several key security and intelligence functions previously spread among other organisations, including the former Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA), Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

In April 2004, the Government of Canada tabled in Parliament Canada's first comprehensive strategy on national security. Securing An Open Society: Canada's National Security Policy sets out an integrated strategy and action plan designed to address current and future threats. It also focuses on addressing three core national security interests:

• protecting Canada and Canadians at home and abroad;
• ensuring Canada is not a base for threats to our allies; and
• contributing to international security.

Creating a Smart Border that Will Enhance the Security of Our Citizens While Facilitating the Flow of Low-Risk Trade and Travelers

On December 12, 2001, Canada and the United States signed the Canada-U.S. Smart Border Declaration and the accompanying 32-Point Action Plan. This Declaration outlines our shared commitment to develop a border that securely facilitates the legitimate flow of people and commerce, and that adequately supports the largest trading relationship in the world.

Since its signature, tremendous progress has been achieved on many Action Plan items. These include:

• the establishment of new Integrated Border Enforcement Teams (IBETs) at every strategic location across the entire Canada-U.S. border;
• the implementation of NEXUS (facilitating expedited movement of pre-approved and low-risk travelers) and FAST (expedited clearance processes for low-risk shipments) at major crossings;
• the establishment of joint teams of customs officials at the ports of Vancouver, Montreal, Halifax, Seattle-Tacoma and Newark to target marine containers arriving from abroad that are destined for the other country;
• the signature of the Safe Third Country Agreement to allow both countries to more effectively manage the flow of refugee claimants seeking to access their respective refugee systems;
• sharing Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record (API/PNR) on high-risk travelers destined to either country using a jointly developed risk scoring mechanism; and
• the allocation of $600 million to a Border Infrastructure Fund to improve major land crossings.
• The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) assumed full operational responsibility for pre-boarding screening at all major airports in Canada in December 2002. New security actions initiated by CATSA include:
• purchasing and installing advanced explosives detections systems at airports;
• implementing new state-of-the art screening equipment and techniques; and
• placing hundreds additional screening officers at Canadian airports and armed Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers on selected flights.
• Immediately following the tragic events of September 11, the Government of Canada moved quickly to enhance marine security. New initiatives include, among others:
• requiring trans-oceanic traffic to give 96 hours advance notice before entering Canadian waters, rather than the usual 24 hours;
• signing an agreement with the U.S. on the pre-screening of ships before they arrive in the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway system;
• committing new funding for a broad range of initiatives to enhance the security of Canada's marine transportation system and maritime borders, including the use of aerial surveillance and vessel monitoring systems; and
• committing new funding to assist ports and port facilities with security enhancements.

Modernizing Canada's Immigration and Refugee Policy

A new Immigration and Refugee Protection Act came into effect in June 2002. The new legislation is tough on those who pose a threat to Canadian security, but maintains Canada's humanitarian tradition. The new Act:

• allows for quicker removal of serious criminals and individuals who are threats to public safety;
• imposes harsher penalties for migrant smuggling and trafficking and for those using or selling forged or false documents; and
• denies those who pose security threats access to our refugee determination process.

Immigration officers interview all refugee claimants to verify their background information, take fingerprints and photographs, and check this information against several law enforcement databases. Security screening, via the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), is now initiated for all claimants when they first make their claim.

Canada also expanded its network of migration integrity officers and staff overseas to stop people who attempt to travel to Canada with counterfeit, altered or false documents. Over the past six years, these officers have stopped 40,000 people who were attempting to travel to North America with improper documents.

Implementing New Measures To Freeze Terrorist Financing

Following September 11, the Government of Canada has acted decisively to freeze terrorist assets through the UN Suppression of Terrorism Regulations and the Criminal Code. These mechanismseffectively freeze the property of those listed and prohibit fundraising on their behalf. Over 400 individuals, groups, and organizations are currently listed under these regulations.

Canada has also listed 35 groups and organisations that support terrorism under the Criminal Code. Various financial dealings with listed organizations, including fund-raising for them, are now considered a punishable crime under Canadian law.

Last year, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), Canada's financial intelligence unit, uncovered suspect financial transactions valued at approximately $460 million suspected to be associated with money laundering and terrorist activity, thereby threatening the security of Canada.

Canada's Military Contribution To the International Fight Against Terrorism

Since the start of U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom in October 2001, more than 7,000 Canadian Forces personnel have taken part in operations in Afghanistan and Southwest Asia as part of Operation APOLLO, Canada's military contribution to the international campaign against terrorism.

Operation APOLLO ended in October 2003. The Canadian Forces contribution beyond October 2003 — co-named Operation ALTAIR — will consist of a single ship deployment integrated with suitable U.S. carrier strike groups. As part of this operation, the HMCS Toronto joined the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group in the Arabian Gulf region earlier this year.

The Canadian Forces have also been contributing to the stabilization and reconstruction of Afghanistan since August 2003 through Operation ATHENA, Canada's contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which is part of the United Nations-authorized mission in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Operation ATHENA will last 12 months, with about 2,000 personnel deploying on each six-month rotation. This makes the Canadian contingent the largest in ISAF. Starting in February 2004, Canada also assumed the command of the ISAF mission for a period of six months.

In April 2004, Canada pledged a continued presence in Afghanistan by sending an armoured reconnaissance squadron group — consisting of approximately 600 Canadian Forces members — to work as part of the ISAF, when our current commitment ends in August. This group will be supported by 200 Air Force personnel.

Canada is also making important diplomatic, defence and development contributions to the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Since September 11, Canada has contributed over $616 million in humanitarian and development assistance to support the establishment of a stable environment in which the people of Afghanistan can rebuild their country.

Working Bilaterally with the U.S. To Prevent, Counter and Respond To Terrorism:

In May 2003, Canada participated with the U.S. in TOPOFF 2, a bi-national counter-terrorism response and recovery exercise, which significantly strengthened the joint capacity of both countries to respond to a terrorist attack.

In the framework of the Canada-U.S. Cross Border Crime Forum, we strengthened operational cooperation to combat terrorism in creating a counter-terrorism subgroup. Canadian and U.S. senior officials also participated in a new round of talks under the auspices of the Canada-U.S. Bilateral Consultative Group (BCG) on counter-terrorism, where they reviewed international terrorist trends and discussed ways to intensify joint counter-terrorism efforts.

Canada's efforts in the fight against terrorism at home and abroad were recognised by the U.S. in the last Department of State report on Patterns of Global Terrorism (2003) which underlined that the "overall antiterrorism cooperation with Canada remains excellent and serves as a model for bilateral cooperation."

Working with the International Community To Prevent and Counter Terrorism

In the UN, the Organization of American States (OAS), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and other international, functional, and regional organizations, Canada works with other partners to further strengthen consistent and effective international action against terrorism.

In these fora, Canada has helped establish the benchmarks for effective international cooperation against terrorism, including in improving air and maritime transport security, cyber-security, border management, and in preventing terrorists, or those that harbour them, from acquiring weapons or materials of mass destruction.

The Government of Canada is actively involved in developing and implementing a cyber-security strategy in the OAS, including the creation of a hemispheric watch and warning centre network. Furthermore, Canada contributed significantly to the further development of airport and seaport security and customs control measures within APEC.

Canada is providing important counter-terrorism assistance to third countries, such as:

• legislative drafting workshops to help them ratifying and implementing international conventions and protocols on terrorism; and
• aviation security training workshops in collaboration with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and maritime security collaboration with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

A new Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program, announced in April 2004 as part of the National Security Policy, will also provide training, funding, equipment, technical and legal assistance to other countries to enable them to prevent and respond to terroris tactivity.

In all international organisations where it is a member, Canada will work to ensure that the fight against terrorism is grounded in the full respect for the rule of law, including international humanitarian law, human rights, and refugee law, through expert workshops, resolutions and declarations.

For more information on the Government of Canada's actions since September 11, please visit the following sites:

• Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
• International Crime and Terrorism (Foreign Affairs Canada)
• Building a Smart Border for the 21^st Century (Foreign Affairs Canada)
• Safety and Security for Canadians
• Public Safety Portal