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No. GC 005/04
MARINE SECURITY
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Contact: Christina Van Loon Office of the Minister, Ottawa (613) 991-0700 |
Bernard Pilon Transport Canada Communications, Ottawa (613) 993-0055 |
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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.
National Security Policy
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:
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:
The program is retroactive to April 1, 2004 and is subject to all expenditure controls applicable to contribution programs.
Marine Transportation Security Regulations
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:
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:
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
The new funding for marine security will allow Fisheries and Oceans Canada to be more effective in its support of federal security agencies. The National Security Policy, released on April 27th, contained four initiatives for DFO:
The Coast Guard's role is one of support to the security community through the collection and dissemination of marine information, the provision of marine platforms and the provision of infrastructure and expertise. Specifically, CCG's role in marine security consists of monitoring marine traffic; the Marine Search and Rescue (SAR) component of the national SAR program; and vessel platform support to the security community (as owner and operator of the Canadian government civilian fleet).The Coast Guard's primary mandate continues to be marine safety, environmental protection and the facilitation of marine commerce.
As well, DFO's Conservation and Protection program supports the security community through an air surveillance program that uses specially equipped surveillance aircraft. Patrols gather intelligence on the positions and activities of vessels operating off Canada's coasts. All surveillance information is passed on to DND for their information gathering systems.
May 2004
On April 27, 2004, the Government of Canada unveiled its new National Security Policy, an integrated strategy and action plan designed to address current and future threats to Canada and Canadians. This policy framework will fulfill core national security interests while maintaining an intrinsic respect for diversity and human rights of all Canadians.
One of the key elements of the National Security Policy initiatives is a renewed focus on strengthening marine security, including measures to enhance capability and develop greater marine security cooperation between associated government agencies as well as with the United States.
This maritime strategy rests on recognizing the value of the various partnerships that comprise the maritime environment, including the Canadian Forces, Coast Guard, Fisheries and Oceans, RCMP, PSEP (Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness) and our American neighbours.
The Navy plays a key role in safeguarding Canada's maritime approaches by:
Given the importance of Canada's offshore areas and resources to the nation's continued economic prosperity, Canada needs to ensure that others do not feel at liberty to harvest our resources, abuse our waters, or use them to deliver acts of terrorism.
Within Canada's Atlantic Ocean area alone, an average of 350 merchant vessels and over 150 fishing vessels use our waters every day. Similarly, a daily average of over 400 vessels can be found operating within Canada's Pacific Ocean areas. It is important for Canada to know who they are and what they are doing in this global terrorism era in order:
The validity, and the magnitude, of ensuring a robust marine security environment have been recognized by the government in its allocation of funds; of the $690 million allocated to the new national security policy, $308 million has been earmarked for marine security.
With the world's longest coastline and an overall area of responsibility approaching 10 million kilometres, the task of safeguarding our national sovereignty and prosperity is challenging. Maritime threats to our sovereignty and security generally include foreign overfishing, polluters, organized crime (drug trafficking, piracy, migrant smuggling) and emerging terrorist activities.
Subsequently, the government will implement a six-point Marine Security Plan and invest $308 million from the security reserve set aside in Budget 2004. The Marine Security Plan will:
Notwithstanding the government's renewed commitment to marine security, the Navy, in close cooperation with federal and provincial agencies, has already been working to improve marine security. For example:
Pooling our national resources in maritime surveillance, opening our lines of communication, embarking on new projects and reenergizing the capabilities of our Navy will add to the maritime security systems that are already in place.
The assertion of Canadian sovereignty in our waters always has been, and will continue to be the Navy's top priority. The National Security Policy and its associated Domestic Marine Security Plan bolsters the Navy's key role with new resources and a holistic governmental approach that demands increased levels of integration and cooperation amongst all departments and agencies associated with on-water surveillance and response. The Government's investment of $308 million into domestic maritime security will ensure that the six-point Marine Security Plan has the necessary resources, capabilities, and effectiveness to continue our commitment to protecting Canada against current and future threats.
May 2004
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