This document was produced by the Interdepartmental Marine Security Working Group (January 2004)

Introduction
Enhancing Marine Security

Introduction

Canada has one of the safest and most secure transportation systems in the world. The marine sector is a critical component of this system, supporting a vital trade gateway that connects Canada to the world. 

Canada’s marine system includes some 200,000 kilometres of coastline, extends 200 nautical miles out from the coastline, and stretches 3,700 kilometres into the heart of the continent via the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway system.

In 2000, the value of Canadian international marine trade was approximately $100 billion out of total trade of $740 billion. Canada’s marine sector directly employs over 30,000 people and generates average annual revenues of $2.6 billion. 

Our coast is dotted with over 250 ports, which handle some 3.5 million containers annually. Through these intermodal hubs, imports enter Canada to be dispersed across North America and exports begin their transoceanic voyage to foreign markets. 

Approximately 4000 foreign vessels over 500 tonnes visit Canadian ports annually and there are approximately 100 Canadian-registered vessels over 500 tonnes that make international voyages. 

Canada’s ports also handle a rapidly growing number of cruise ships. Over 1.5 million cruise ship passengers arrive in Canada annually, largely from the U.S. Besides the ports, Canada has 10 international ferry terminals, 19 interprovincial terminals and nearly 300 intraprovincial terminals providing vital links both within and between the provinces. In 2001, Canada’s ferries carried an estimated 40 million passengers and 17 million vehicles

Enhancing Marine Security

Efforts to enhance marine security must be balanced with the need to maintain the free flow of trade and people, which in turn maintains the competitiveness of Canada’s marine sector and our economic vitality. 

Enhancing security has many benefits, especially in combating organized crime, enhancing search and rescue capabilities, conserving our fisheries and combating marine pollution.
Perhaps most importantly, it also improves the ability to prevent terrorists or terrorist devices from entering Canada or accessing our marine transportation system. 

Immediately following the tragic events of September 11, the Government of Canada moved quickly to enhance the security of Canada’s transportation system. For the marine sector, these actions included: 

• 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
• refining armed boarding protocols to accelerate threat response time
• working with the U.S. to improve the screening of shipping containers by operating joint customs teams at major ports
• enhancing the security of the cruise ship industry, including increased police presence at key ports during the cruise season
• conducting ongoing marine security threat and risk assessments and initiating a comprehensive vulnerability assessment of critical marine infrastructure

The Government of Canada also put forward five priorities to guide the federal response to enhancing our public security and anti-terrorism capabilities:

• keeping terrorists out of Canada
• deterring, preventing, detecting, prosecuting and/or removing terrorists
• facilitating Canada-U.S. relations
• facilitating international initiatives
• protecting our infrastructure and improving emergency planning

Building on these priorities, the Government of Canada signed the Smart Border Declaration with the U.S. on December 12, 2001. The purpose of this declaration was to enhance collaboration between Canada and the U.S. in identifying and addressing security risks while maintaining the flow of people and goods across the border. 

To begin addressing these priorities, the Government of Canada committed $7.7 billion to fight terrorism and reinforce public security. Included in this amount was $60 million over six years for marine security initiatives in the December 2001 Budget.

The Government of Canada’s response to the modern security environment has been prompt and effective and will contribute to maintaining the confidence not only of Canadians, but also of the U.S. and our other major trading partners in our marine transport system.