MARINE SECURITY CONTRIBUTION PROGRAM

The Marine Security Contribution Program is a five-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.

In compliance with international security requirements mandated by the International Maritime Organization's International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, the Government of Canada implemented the Marine Transportation Security Regulations, which required ports and marine facilities to have approved security plans in place.

The program was recently expanded to allow for the participation of domestic ferry facilities and vessels recognizing the high volume of passengers carried by domestic ferries every year and the unique security challenges they face as a result of their extensive, open systems.

Under the Marine Security Contribution Program, ports and other marine facilities may apply for funds to assist with new security equipment and programs required under their security plans. These funds not only assist participants in completing their initial work to meet the requirements of their plans, but also help them to extend and build on these security enhancements in the future.

The program allows for the reimbursement of eligible expenses for the period of April 2004 to November 2009.

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.

Canada's commitment to meet — and exceed — the International Maritime Organization's security requirements is helping to ensure that Canada's marine transportation system remains one of the most secure in the world.

November 2006