Speaking notes for
The Honourable Anne McLellan
Ottawa, Ontario
March 25, 2004
As delivered
Introduction
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,
Derek, thank you for your warm welcome.
It is a pleasure to be here with all of you. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the presence of His Excellency Jose Ignacio Carbajal. On behalf of all Canadians, I offer you our deepest condolences on your loss.
Let me begin by thanking the executive of the Canadian Club of Ottawa, in particular, Krista Kealy, for the opportunity to speak to you about an issue that is at the top of the Government of Canada’s agenda in these uncertain times – the issue of national security.
With its long and proud history, I cannot think of a better venue for a discussion of national security than the Canadian Club of Ottawa. The guest speaker at the club’s first annual banquet 100 years ago just this past January was none other than the Right Honourable Wilfrid Laurier, Prime Minister of Canada. This was where he made that now famous remark: “the Twentieth Century belongs to Canada.”
The Current Threat Environment
But we are in a far different world today than that of Laurier’s time – a different world from even a decade ago, never mind a century.
The international threat environment is more fluid today than it was even at the height of the Cold War. Now, we face adversaries that are far more unpredictable and far more difficult to identify.
The terrorist bombs that ripped through commuter trains in Madrid two weeks ago, killing 190 innocent people and injuring many more, were yet another tragic reminder of the danger that still exists in the world.
For Canada and our allies around the world, heightened and sustained vigilance is the new reality.
And while Canada may not be a primary target for a terrorist attack, we are a named target. The mention of Canada in a list of countries threatened by Osama Bin Laden in November 2002 was a chilling reminder of that.
And so, we must be prepared to prevent such attacks, but also to respond swiftly, forcefully and responsibly should one occur.
We must refuse to be a weak link or a haven from which terrorists can attack others.
Canada is Prepared
It must be understood that the core responsibility of any government is to ensure the safety and security of its citizens – these are the foundations for every other right of citizenship, the essential conditions for every other freedom.
Canada is prepared for the new threat environment of the 21st Century but we cannot be complacent. Today, I want to talk about the steps we have taken to respond to this new world reality – to close security gaps and ensure that our national interests and our people are protected.
Our record is clearly one of action and progress. But, not everything is perfect – work remains to be done on several fronts, and we continue to adjust to a changing environment. Nevertheless, we are in a strong state of readiness. We have the tools and the political will to respond, quickly and decisively, to acts of aggression.
Recognizing the need for improved coordination in this vital area, Prime Minister Martin has brought together in one place the core functions of security and intelligence, policing and enforcement, corrections and crime prevention, border services and integrity, immigration enforcement, and emergency management.
The creation of this new department allows us to meet vital emergency preparedness, border integrity and key national security obligations under the leadership of a single Cabinet minister. The pooling of resources and capabilities in the new portfolio means we can communicate more effectively and operate more strategically to protect Canadians.
As Minister of this new department, the task before me is clear: to do everything I can, working with the resources at our disposal and with partners both domestic and international to maintain and enhance the security of Canadians, here and abroad.
Canada’s Response to 9-11
We are starting from a solid base. The Government of Canada acted swiftly in response to the September 11th attacks and to the global threat of terrorism with the implementation of an Anti-Terrorism Plan that includes new legislation, improved cooperation with our allies and the investment of an additional $7.7 billion announced in 2001.
Our goal is to continue to enhance security for Canadians and make Canada’s borders more secure, while ensuring that they remain open and efficient to legitimate commerce and travelers.
To this end, we have equipped and deployed more intelligence and front-line investigative personnel. Live Scan digital fingerprint machines have been installed at major border offices to capture fingerprints, biographical information and photographs and send them electronically to the RCMP for further checks. As well, document readers have been installed at major border offices to help detect fraudulent documents.
Security at airports has been enhanced by the new Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. Personnel have been better trained to screen passengers and baggage, and new state-of-the-art explosives detection systems are being installed at Canadian airports.
Recognizing that threats are not limited to our land borders and to the air, in January 2003 the Government of Canada announced a $172.5 million package of initiatives to further enhance the security of Canada’s marine transportation system and maritime borders.
Canada has also improved the protection of critical infrastructure. We have strengthened our emergency preparedness and response and expanded the anti-terrorism capacity of the military.
We have improved coordination among agencies. CSIS, the RCMP and other agencies continue to share relevant and timely information with other departments and agencies on activities that may constitute a threat to Canada’s security. National plans are in place, including the National Counter Terrorism Plan and the Counter-Terrorism Consequence Management Arrangements, to protect the public in the event of an attack.
Canada has also improved screening of immigrants, refugee claimants and visitors. Canadian officers overseas are dealing with document fraud and liaising with airlines and local authorities to stop people with improper documents before they can board a commercial flight to North America.
CSIS security checks are now mandatory when a person makes a claim for refugee protection. Officers interview all claimants to verify their background and past activities; check information against several databases, including the police database; fingerprint and photograph the claimants; and seize original travel documents, if warranted.
Canada has also begun issuing a new Permanent Resident Card that is highly resistant to alteration or duplication.
The bottom line is that we want to ensure that individuals who should not be in this country are turned away or deported.
Our government has also taken quick and decisive action to improve our legislative base for public security and the fight against terrorism. Again, we started with a solid foundation. This year is the 20th anniversary of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act, which has proven its value under extreme tests, including the threat from global terrorists.
But the September 11th attacks confirmed that additional legislation was needed to underpin Canada’s national security and give government and law enforcement agencies the powers and tools they need.
In pursuing this agenda, we need to continue to protect the security of Canadians in a way that safeguards their privacy rights and other freedoms.
Our first step was to pass the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which came into effect in June 2002, contains security provisions to deny access to persons who pose a risk to Canada. The Act also allows for quicker removal of security threats from the refugee stream and imposes harsher penalties for people smuggling, as well as for those using or selling forged or false documents.
We have now before the Senate, the Public Safety Act (Bill C-7), which addresses other legislative gaps. This is an important piece of legislation that contains key measures to increase the government’s capacity to prevent terrorist attacks, protect Canadians, and respond swiftly should a significant threat arise.
Building on the Smart Border Declaration
Much of our effort since September 11th has focused on working with the U.S. to ensure that our borders are safe and efficient, both to address potential terrorists and to facilitate the $1.9 billion in daily trade between our two countries.
In December 2001, Canada and the United States signed the Smart Border Declaration and an accompanying 30-Point Action Plan. This Declaration outlines our shared commitment to develop a border that facilitates securely the free flow of people and commerce, in support of the largest trading relationship in the world, while keeping terrorists out.
In the more than two years since we signed the Smart Border Declaration, remarkable progress has been made. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the vision and hard work of my predecessor, the Honourable John Manley. John and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary, Tom Ridge, were the driving forces behind this initiative, and without John’s leadership and commitment, the Smart Border initiative would not have progressed as well as it did.
Under this Plan, we have improved border flow with the expansion of the NEXUS and FAST programs for pre-approved, low-risk travelers and commercial traffic.
We’ve ensured Canadians are exempt from the US-VISIT program. As a result of our unique relationship, Secretary Ridge has confirmed that Canadian and American citizens will not be subject to this new policy requiring that visitors to the U.S. have their biometrics registered upon entry and exit.
We’ve met with business representatives – and will do so on an ongoing basis – to learn how we’re doing and where we must improve. Because we know more needs to be done.
For instance, although both Canada and the U.S. have signed a Safe Third Country Agreement to allow both countries to more effectively manage the flow of refugee claimants across our mutual border, we need to move to implement it quickly.
When we met in January, Secretary Ridge and I reviewed the progress that has been made in securing safe and efficient borders for Canada and the United States. Given the successes of the Smart Borders process, we agreed to deepen and strengthen our border security cooperation.
Canada’s Role Abroad
Ladies and gentlemen, we cannot talk about Canada’s response to 9-11 and our commitment to fighting terrorism without acknowledging the heroic work of the Canadian Armed Forces, in partnership with our allies, to deny terrorists safe havens where they can organize, plan and carry out operations.
As well, about 1,900 Canadian personnel are deployed on the United Nations-authorized mission in Afghanistan, and since January 2002, Canada has contributed $350 million to support emergency relief and reconstruction in this troubled nation. Budget 2004 included a commitment of an additional $250 million to cover the cost of Canada’s participation in Afghanistan and the fight against terrorism.
Our intelligence gathering abroad has been strengthened by the additional resources provided to CSIS in Budget 2004. As well, CSIS has relationships with more than 240 agencies in 140 countries. These relationships, together with CSIS operations abroad, are the foundation of our defences against threats to the security of Canada. While I await the results of the assessment CSIS is conducting with respect to our level of intelligence gathering, I do believe that we must continue to enhance our capacity to collect information abroad.
December 12 Announcements
December 12th marked an important day for national security and emergency preparedness in Canada.
As I’ve already noted, the Prime Minister announced the creation of a new Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness to improve coordination and bring vital services and responsibilities together under a single Cabinet minister.
One of my department’s priorities is to develop a comprehensive Public Safety and Security Information Sharing and Interoperability project that will address interoperability gaps and achieve effective communications across all organizations with significant public safety and security responsibilities.
This project is moving forward and will address key issues such as the need for a government-wide secret communication system.
Also on December 12th, we created the new Canada Border Services Agency, which brings together customs, immigration and food inspection border security functions.
The role of this Agency is to build on the Smart Border initiative to expedite legitimate cross-border traffic and support economic development while strengthening security to stop people or cargo that pose a threat to our country.
For example, in January the Canada Border Services Agency established the National Risk Assessment Centre, which will manage and coordinate national and international watch lists. We can now share automated customs lookouts with the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, which will enhance our mutual border security.
National Security Policy
Among the many changes introduced by the Prime Minister on December 12th, one of the most important was the announcement that Canada would develop and implement its first-ever integrated National Security Policy.
This is a major step forward in strengthening Canada’s security environment. Important measures have been taken to respond to many national security threats, but the time has come to move beyond informal responses. We need an integrated effort across the Government and with a range of partners – domestic and international – to address threats to our national security.
The Prime Minister has asked me to lead this government-wide effort and to work closely with his new National Security Advisor, Rob Wright, to articulate our core national security interests, identify the current threats facing Canadians, and develop a blueprint for action to address these threats.
I don’t want to prejudge what actions we will take – we are committed to consulting with our colleagues in Parliament, experts in this area and Canadians in general before formalizing such a critical document – but I would like to share some thoughts briefly on an overall framework for the policy.
First and foremost, our National Security Policy must reflect Canadian values, safeguard our liberties, and respect legal, constitutional and sovereignty considerations. In other words, it must be crafted using the made-in-Canada approach that has been a cornerstone of our response to the threat of global terrorism.
But while the policy will have Canadian values, it must also reflect global realities and articulate clear national interests. In short, our response, always measured and thoughtful, must be commensurate with the threat.
There are obviously different ways of expressing the objectives of a National Security Policy, but I believe three elements must be paramount.
First, we must protect the physical safety and security of Canadians at home and abroad.
Second, we need to continue to ensure Canada is not a base for threats to others.
And third, our National Security Policy should contribute to the development of a more effective international security system.
Each of these goals should be pursued in a way that recognizes Canada’s openness and diversity as a strength. Canadians must work to avoid having elements in our society become sources of extremism. Our respect for, and encouragement of, diversity is one of our most effective tools in avoiding this.
We also need to recognize that an effective security strategy provides a foundation on which economic prosperity can be built. In fact, the Smart Border Initiative demonstrates an effective balance between security and economic prosperity.
Beyond these principles, I want to give you a sense of the key areas of activity we will need to address in the National Security Policy.
First, the foundation piece for an effective security strategy needs to be a strong intelligence base that allows us to accurately assess the threats we are facing and, where possible, prevent an incident from happening.
I believe Canada needs to build on our integrated threat assessment capability to ensure that we can effectively deploy our resources to meet threats.
We also need to develop further, a comprehensive strategy for preventing, mitigating and responding to all types of emergencies. While we have mechanisms in place, I believe we must establish a national framework for emergency management.
We must do more to secure our vast transportation network. This will require an integrated approach within Canada, as well as continued collaboration with our North American neighbours and the broader international community. For example, I believe that we need to address the gaps in our maritime security capabilities.
The new security contingency reserve announced in Budget 2004 will allow us to address some of these priorities. We now have an additional $605 million over five years for security. These funds will be used to address security priorities that we have identified such as intelligence enhancement, marine security, integrated threat assessments, cyber security, emergency response and enhanced coordination of systems including, for example, modernizing the RCMP's fingerprint and criminal records systems.
Recognizing that many of the real and direct threats to Canadians, which I have highlighted, originate from far beyond our borders, Canada’s National Security Policy must have an international dimension to it.
This dimension is being developed in tandem with the government’s International Policy Review, which will lead to the modernization of Canada’s defence, development, trade and diplomatic strategies in the context of a rapidly changing global environment. My colleague, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is leading the Review in collaboration with a number of key ministers, is focusing his efforts on creating a cross-government approach to the development and implementation of Canada’s international policies.
Consistent with this approach, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and I are working closely to determine how the federal government can best assure the security of Canadians by linking domestic and international measures and initiatives that address threats emerging from abroad.
The results of this work, which will build on a number of existing national and international strategies Canada is pursuing, will be reflected in both the National Security Policy and the outcomes of the International Policy Review.
Our goal is to table a draft National Security Policy in the coming months. A lot of work has already been done that should enable us to meet an ambitious agenda. However, I wish to make it clear, we will consult with Canadians.
Conclusion
As you can see, we have some big challenges ahead of us over the next few months. Integrating the activities of the newly created Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness is a tall order in itself. But as large as this portfolio is, national security must be the responsibility of the entire range of government departments and agencies and we need to ensure more effective coordination between them all. The newly created Cabinet Committee on Security, Public Health and Emergencies will have a crucial role to play in this regard.
It’s also critical to recognize that, when it comes to issues of national security and emergency preparedness, the Government of Canada cannot go it alone. We need to collaborate more effectively with the provinces, with municipalities and with first responders. We need to engage community groups, the private sector and the broader public.
Beyond our borders, we need to engage our partners in North America and other allies around the world. We must work to protect them, as well as ourselves - just as we expect them to do in return.
We must always be vigilant about new threats, and we must always be looking for ways to improve and coordinate our intelligence, our prevention strategies and our emergency response capabilities.
We must continuously review our plans, update our systems and test our people.
Lessons learned must be lessons applied.
We have a choice in Canada - to be in denial, or to be prepared.
This government, this nation, chooses to be prepared.
Thank you.
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