Transportation is the backbone of the Canadian economy — our network of roads, railways, shipping lines and airlines keeps people and goods moving across the country and around the world. In some parts of the world, however, transportation infrastructure has become a primary target, and even a tool, for terrorist organizations. Budget 2006 announced $1.4 billion in national security funding to protect Canadian families and communities, to secure our borders and to increase emergency preparedness, including $254 million to continue to improve transportation security in Canada.

The March 2004 bombings in Madrid, Spain, and the July 2005 bombings in London, England, have led Canada to focus on transportation security in high-volume passenger transportation sectors. The passenger rail and urban transit sector presents unique security challenges because it consists of extensive open systems that move high volumes of passengers daily.

Although Transport Canada has the lead responsibility for national transportation security, other partners play key roles with respect to emergency management, including preparedness and response. The Government of Canada must work together with other levels of government, as well as industry, to create an effective and efficient security system.

Up to $115 million has been set aside in the fiscal framework for initial measures to enhance the security of Canada’s passenger rail and urban transit operators, of which $95 million was announced in Budget 2006. The initial measures are designed to address security priorities that have been identified by the Government of Canada, in collaboration with its partners, to enhance security for passenger rail, public transit and ferry operations through five complementary components.

The measures are as follows:

Transit-Secure – A new passenger rail and urban transit security contribution program
Up to $80 million will be provided over two years to establish a new passenger rail and urban transit security contribution program, targeted towards the high volume passenger areas of commuter rail and public transit, with a focus on major urban transit systems.

Round one of the contribution program is providing financial assistance to high-volume commuter rail and public transit operators in six urban areas — Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, the National Capital Region, and Montreal — to accelerate the implementation of new and enhanced security measures based on a targeted, risk-management approach.

The first round of funding, announced November 14, 2006, supported the development of risk assessments; security plans; employee training programs; public awareness; and the upgrade of security equipment such as access control technology and lighting.

Operators in other communities will be eligible for assistance to carry out risk assessments and to develop security plans in future rounds of funding.

Funding will be provided on a cost-shared basis, with 75 per cent from the federal government and 25 per cent from the recipient. Passenger rail and transit operators will be required to apply for the funding.