NEW MEASURES TO
STRENGTHEN MARINE SECURITY

The Government of Canada is taking concrete action to strengthen marine security. The 2004 Budget provided $605 million over five years for security. These funds will be used to address security priorities that have been identified by the Government of Canada, such as intelligence enhancement, marine security, integrated threat assessments, cyber security, emergency response and enhanced coordination of systems.

On April 27, 2004, Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan announced the National Security Policy, which set out a six-point, $308 million program to support marine security.

The National Security Policy proposes to strengthen Canada's marine security by:

• Clarifying and strengthening accountability for marine security among the various responsible departments and agencies. The Minister of Transport will have lead responsibility for marine security and policy coordination. The Minister of Public Security and Emergency Preparedness will have lead responsibility for enforcement and policing, and the Minister of Defence will be responsible for coordination of on-water response to maritime threats and developing crises;
• Establishing Marine Security Operations Centres to bring to bear all civil and military resources necessary to detect, assess and respond to marine security threats;
• Increasing the on-water presence of the Canadian Forces Maritime Command, RCMP and Canadian Coast Guard and increasing the Department of Fisheries and Oceans aerial surveillance activities;
• Investing in secure communications technologies to enhance the ability of our civilian and naval fleets to communicate with each other and Marine Security Operations Centres;
• Pursuing greater co-operation with the United States to enhance our marine defence and security; and
• Strengthening security at ports and other maritime facilities, through the Marine Facilities Security Contribution Program.

Marine Facility Security Contribution Program

The Marine Facility Security Contribution Program is a three-year, $115 million commitment to assist ports and port facilities with security enhancements. The program is application-based and provides funding on a cost-shared basis - i.e., 75 per cent government / 25 per cent recipient - for a number of clearly identified eligible expenses. This funding is in addition to marine security funding initially announced in the National Security Policy.

In compliance with new International Maritime Organization security requirements, the Government of Canada has required ports and port facilities to have approved security plans in place and operational by July 1, 2004. Under the Marine Facility Security Contribution Program, ports and marine facilities will be able to apply for funds to assist with new security equipment and programs called for under their security plans. These funds will not only assist participants in finalizing their initial work to meet the requirements of their plans, it will also help them to extend and build on these security enhancements in the future. Canada's commitment to meet - and, in fact, exceed - the International Maritime Organization security requirements will help ensure that our marine transportation system remains one of the most secure in the world.

Ports or marine facilities will be able to apply for funds to assist with new security equipment or programs called for under their approved security plans. Projects eligible for funding include:

• surveillance equipment, including cameras and closed-circuit TV systems;
• improvements to dockside and perimeter security and access control, such as fencing, gates, signage and lighting;
• command, control and communications equipment, such as portable and vessel-to-shore radios; and
• infrastructure security protective measures, such as security guards and arrangements with local police departments.

The program is retroactive to April 1, 2004 and is subject to all expenditure controls applicable to contribution programs.

In addition, as announced by Transport Minister Tony Valeri on April 5, 2004, Transport Canada is amending its Marine Transportation Security Regulations in order to strengthen security requirements for vessels, marine facilities and ports. The amendments will implement the requirements of the International Maritime Organization's International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, as well as amendments to its Safety of Life at Sea Convention, 1974. The International Maritime Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations which focuses on the improvement of safety at sea and the prevention of pollution from vessels.

The IMO's Security Code requires that all commercial vessels of 500 tons (gross tonnage) or more, or carrying more than 12 passengers and travelling between countries, and marine facilities serving such vessels, perform security assessments, complete security plans and designate security officers. In addition to implementing the IMO requirements, Canada's regulations will extend these requirements to:

• port facilities in Canada;
• cargo vessels of 100 tons (gross tonnage) or more; and
• towing vessels greater than eight metres in length that tow barges carrying dangerous goods in bulk.

Other marine security measures

These marine security initiatives build on other actions taken by the Government of Canada to enhance marine security since the attacks of September 11, 2001.

These actions include:

• harmonizing the marine security regimes of Canada and the United States so that Canadian-flagged ships that meet Canadian security standards can enter U.S. harbours and U.S.-flagged vessels that meet U.S. standards can enter Canadian harbours;
• requiring vessels to provide at least 96 hours advance notice before they enter Canadian waters;
• introducing new boarding protocols to improve the response to threats before vessels arrive at Canadian marine facilities or ports;
• establishing enhanced security procedures, in partnership with the United States, for vessels entering the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Seaway system;
• working with international partners to develop new marine international security requirements; and
• committing $172.5 million 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, such as automatic identification systems which will enhance Canada's ability to track vessels entering and operating in Canadian waters.

Marine security is an important component of overall transportation security, and Transport Canada is committed to working together with stakeholders in all modes, both domestically and internationally, to identify areas where improvements are needed and to make these improvements when necessary.

May 2004