SPEAKING NOTES FOR
THE HONOURABLE LAWRENCE CANNON,
MINISTER OF TRANSPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITIES
AT THE ITALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MONTREAL, QUEBEC
SEPTEMBER 7, 2006

Thank you for your invitation.

Every time I have the opportunity of addressing myself to a Chamber of Commerce, I am impressed by the dedication and responsible citizenship of these men and women who want to participate in the progress of their community.

I congratulate you.

I think that congratulations are even more deserved when, as is the case with your organization, a Chamber also expresses the pride and patriotism of a particular cultural community.

Montreal has always been a good example of how different cultures can live and prosper together. For more than three centuries, Montreal has also been a bridge between the old continent and the new world, thanks to the vision and courage of the immigrants who settled here.

Immigrants from Italy played an important and influential role in this link. And while they proudly wove themselves into the fabric of Canada, Italian-Canadians have always reserved a special place in their hearts for their traditions, their culture and their ancestry.

You can see how these contributions have shaped Canada. Whether it’s architecture, the arts, economics or in numerous other areas, Canada’s Italian community has placed its distinctive and successful stamp upon this nation.

All Canadians saw firsthand just how proud all Italian-Canadians were of their roots only a few months ago when Italy won the World Cup. No wonder the celebrations were so large -- after all, there are over 1.2 million people in Canada who identify as having Italian ancestry. That’s over four per cent of Canada’s total population.

Not only do Canadians with Italian roots like to cheer for Italy, they like to visit as well. This July alone there were over 30 flights per week from Canada to six different points in Italy.

As you know very well, Italy is also an extremely important trading partner for Canada -- our bilateral trade today is worth over $6 billion per year.

Italy and Canada are also partners in the G8 -- often working together to improve the prosperity of our respective countries, along with countries around the world, and the security of our populations.

We all dream of a world free of terrorism.

Unfortunately, terrorism is a 21^st-century reality, in Canada as well as in Italy and everywhere else around the world. It’s a reality that we must face together as free nations if we want to remain free.

As noted by Prime Minister Harper in June:

“Canada can choose to ignore terrorism but terrorism will not ignore Canada.”

Canadians have made it abundantly clear that they will never back down from terrorism. And through the Prime Minister’s leadership, Canada’s new government has taken action at home and overseas to face it.

That is why our troops are risking their lives in Afghanistan, where Taliban terrorists continue to threaten freedoms and values that all civilized peoples hold dear. We are paying a high price for our commitment to democracy and human rights. And we feel the deepest compassion and sympathy for those who have lost a loved one in the cause of freedom.

But we are also extremely proud of the men and women who are making the Maple Leaf the symbol of courage and strength in the face of oppression and terror in far-away places. One place we have taken action overseas is, of course, Afghanistan. Canada is helping Afghanistan become a stable and self-sufficient state so that it will never again serve as a terrorist haven, and threaten global and Canadian security.

Canada is helping to make Afghanistan safe for reconstruction, helping to make the world safe from terrorists, helping Canadian volunteers bring peace, development and respect for human rights in a country that had nearly given up hope.

But we will not leave Afghanistan, not before we have accomplished the mission sanctioned by the United Nations, which we have undertaken with our allies.

• Nearly 63,000 Taliban have been disarmed, and 11,000 heavy weaponry pieces taken out of their hands.
• The country now has a new constitution and an elected parliament made up of 25 per cent women.
• The reconstruction is in full swing, thanks notably to grants awarded to more than 100,000 business people, 80 per cent of whom are women.
• 12,000 villages now have the necessary funds to access drinking water.
• And nearly 5 million children in Afghanistan, including girls, are back on their school benches.

Many of the measures we’re taking here at home are focused on the transportation sector, because transportation is the favourite target of terrorists.

Transportation and Terror

In almost every serious terrorist attack in the last 30 years, transportation has figured in one way or another.

At times, transportation has been a target. Transportation has also been used as a conduit for terrorists and their weapons. We even saw, five years ago, commercial aircraft transformed into weapons in the hands of suicide attackers.

Mode-Specific Initiatives from Canada’s New Government

This is why, during and after the election campaign, Canada’s new government told Canadians that nothing was more important than their safety. This was reflected in the Budget 2006 commitment of $1.4 billion to enhance national security.

We therefore announced an investment of $254 million over two years to bolster air, rail, transit and marine security, as well as public transit. These measures will help increase Canada’s capability to detect and respond to potential terrorist attacks.

Although Canada has always had one of the safest transportation systems in the world, the Prime Minister understood the importance of going further. He understood that the transportation sector is directly related to the economic well-being of Canada.

Consider for example that:

• Canada’s transportation system moves more than $1 trillion worth of goods annually -- that’s almost $2 million a minute.
• The major segments of our transportation system are linked inextricably to counterpart segments in the United States and are part of vast global networks.
• The transportation workforce is one of the largest in Canada -- well over 800,000 people.
• Our airports handle about 79 million passengers each year, our domestic ferries more than 38 million and, each day, rail and mass transit systems in this country handle 4 million passenger trips.

Aviation

We have put in place measures to protect users in each of the three modes of transport.

In the aviation mode, Prime Minister Harper announced in June that $26 million over two years would be invested in air cargo security measures. These measures aim to ensure the integrity of air cargo security throughout the supply chain, as well as the evaluation of screening technologies.

For air passenger screening, $133 million over two years will go to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority -- or CATSA for short. This investment allows the Authority to adapt to the growing number of air passengers and to new realities.

Canada also knows that it must work with other partners across the world to respond to threats when they arise.

When British law enforcement recently arrested more than 20 individuals suspected of planning to carry out terrorist activities using explosives on flights destined for North America, we reacted swiftly and implemented additional security measures here in Canada to ensure that its aviation system remained safe and secure.

We immediately took measures to prohibit passengers from carrying containers of liquids or gels or aerosols of any size on board aircraft. On August 16^th we clarified these measures, allowing some prescription medications to be brought on board, along with material related to the needs of passengers with infants.

I have reminded Canadians that throughout this process, although the new precautions have been put into place, it is still safe to fly. That is still my message. I encourage everybody to do so.

It is safe to fly to Italy and it is safe for your Italian friends and relatives to fly here.

Marine

Although aviation security remains a focus, this government is concentrating on security in all modes of transportation, including our marine sector.

Our ports are among the most competitive in the world. Each year, Canadian Port Authorities generate more than $20 billion worth of economic activity. They are responsible -- directly or indirectly -- for more than a quarter of a million jobs. They handle $100 billion worth of goods; one quarter of all Canadian trade.

We have a number of programs in place to ensure the security of this vital mode of transportation.

• First is the Government of Canada’s $115-million commitment to the Marine Security Contribution Program, which assists ports and marine facilities with security enhancements.
• Second is the Marine Transportation Security Clearance Program, which was announced in June and builds on this government’s commitments to secure our borders and strengthen national security. The program will reduce the risk of security threats by preventing unlawful interference with the marine transportation system. It will do so by conducting background checks on marine workers who perform certain duties or who have access to certain restricted areas.

Finally, this government has also committed to enhancing policing at Canada’s ports.

Surface transportation

We have also taken strong measures to ensure security in our surface transportation mode as well.

Since 2004, Transport Canada has focused on establishing partnerships and building a common understanding within the rail and urban transit community about our current and future priorities.

As you can see, Canada’s new government is working hard in all modes of transportation to ensure the security of all Canadians. Protecting human life is our ultimate priority.

But Canada’s trade and economy also depend on the safe and efficient operation of our transportation system. We therefore must strike the right balance between the need for enhanced security and ensuring the efficient movement of people and goods.

In particular, we must balance interests between minor inconveniences and serious threats.

Conclusion

Ladies and gentlemen, we know that the threat of international terrorism isn’t going away soon.

And while collectively we have made enormous progress, we cannot become complacent or reduce our vigilance. We must continue to look for better and more efficient ways to deliver security.

Canada’s new government has taken action in all modes of transportation.

I can assure you that we will continue to do so -- just as we will continue to ensure safety in our communities, and freedom around the world.

Whether their roots are Italian or Irish, native-born or new arrivals, all Canadians share in the desire to live in a safe and secure country -- a country where they can carry on Canada’s proud legacy of giving people the chance to pursue their dreams.

Thank you. Merci. Grazie.