No. H034/05
For release March 15, 2005

MARINE SECURITY PROJECTS ANNOUNCED

OTTAWA — New projects to enhance security at Canadian ports and marine facilities under the first round of funding from the Marine Security Contribution Program were announced today by Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre.

The three-year, $115-million program, which was announced in May 2004, will help Canada’s ports and marine facilities to modernize and strengthen their security systems and programs. This contribution program is part of the $308-million National Security Policy announced on April 27, 2004, which sets out a six-point plan to strengthen marine security across Canada. The funding for this contribution program is, however, in addition to the funding announced in April.

“Security is one of the Government of Canada’s top priorities,” said Mr. Lapierre. “The projects announced today will not only enhance marine security, they will also improve the safety and efficiency of our transportation system.”

This first round of funding will provide $23.6 million to 69 ports and marine facilities across the country. The funds will be used for security enhancements such as surveillance equipment, dockside and perimeter security, command, control and communications equipment, and training.

Ports and marine facilities will be able to apply for a second round of funding starting in April 2005.

Funding for these projects was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.

Backgrounders on the National Security Policy’s six-point plan, Marine Security Contribution Program and the selected projects are attached.

- 30 -

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.

This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.

BACKGROUNDER

SIX-POINT PLAN TO ENHANCE MARINE SECURITY

The Government of Canada is taking action to strengthen marine security. The 2004 budget provided $605 million over five years for security initiatives. These funds are being used to address security priorities, such as intelligence enhancement, marine security, integrated threat assessments, cyber security, emergency response and enhanced coordination of systems.

To follow up on the budget, on April 27, 2004, the Government of Canada announced the National Security Policy, which set out a six-point, $308-million plan to strengthen 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 has primary responsibility for marine security and policy coordination. The Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness is primarily responsible for enforcement and policing, while the Minister of Defence is responsible for coordination of on-water response to maritime threats and developing crises.
  
  
• Establishing Marine Security Operations Centres to bring together 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, as well as increasing the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ aerial surveillance activities.
  
  
• Investing in secure communications technologies to enhance the ability of Canadian civilian and naval fleets to communicate with each other and Marine Security Operations Centres.
  
  
• Pursuing greater cooperation with the United States to enhance Canada’s marine defence and security.
  
  
• Strengthening security at ports and other marine facilities, through the Marine Security Contribution Program.

March 2005

BACKGROUNDER

MARINE SECURITY CONTRIBUTION PROGRAM

The Marine Security Contribution Program is a three-year, $115 million Government of Canada commitment to assist ports and marine facilities with security enhancements. The program is application-based and provides funding on a cost-shared basis — 75 per cent government / 25 per cent recipient — for a number of clearly identified eligible expenses.

Through the Canadian Marine Transportation Security Regulations, the Government of Canada requires ports and marine facilities to have approved security plans. Under the Marine Security Contribution Program, ports and marine facilities can apply for funds to be used for the purchase of new security equipment and the implementation of programs required under their security plans. These funds will not only assist participants in completing their initial work to meet the requirements of their plans, but 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’s security requirements will help ensure that Canada’s marine transportation system remains one of the most secure in the world.

Projects eligible for funding include:

• installation of 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;
• acquisition of command, control and communications equipment, such as portable and vessel-to-shore radios; and
• training and security design studies.

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

March 2005

BACKGROUNDER

MARINE SECURITY CONTRIBUTION 
PROGRAM FIRST ROUND OF FUNDING

March 2005