Introduction
Budget 2007 proposes measures to enhance security here in Canada and
ensure our country plays an even more effective leadership role in the
world.
Public Security
Canadians want to live in safe and secure communities. Budget 2007
proposes important measures to help prevent crime and ensure public
safety, including:
- $64 million over two years to establish a new National
Anti-Drug Strategy to crack down on gangs, grow-ops and
methamphetamine labs, prevent illicit drug use and treat illicit
drug dependency.
- $14 million over two years to combat the criminal use of
firearms.
- $6 million a year to combat the sexual exploitation of
children and human trafficking.
- $80 million over two years to help the Canadian Security
Intelligence Service protect our national security.
- $102 million over two years to the Correctional Service of
Canada to meet its key requirements, including infrastructure,
offender programs and staff training.
- Support for the RCMP to tackle white-collar crime.
Making First Responders Safer
Canada’s first responders, including firefighters, police,
paramedics and utility workers, must have the training they need
to safely and effectively respond to emergencies, including
chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear emergencies.
- Budget 2007 provides $2 million over two years to help
implement a hazardous materials training plan that would be
available to all first responders.
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Defence
In Budget 2006, Canada’s New Government committed to invest
$5.3 billion over five years in the Canadian Forces to implement
the Canada First defence plan. The Government will continue to
support the development of Canada’s multi-role, combat-capable defence
force and improve compensation to military personnel. Canada’s New
Government will:
- Accelerate the implementation of the Canada First defence
plan, under which the Canadian Forces will receive $3.1 billion
over the next three years.
- Provide $60 million a year to ensure the environmental
allowances provided to soldiers serving in Army field units are in
line with those provided to Navy and Air Force personnel.
- Appoint a Veterans’ Ombudsman to ensure that services for
veterans meet the standards they deserve.
- Provide $19 million in 2007–08 and $20 million per
year thereafter to help the Department of Veterans Affairs improve
services to veterans.
- Invest $10 million a year to establish five new Operational
Stress Injury Clinics across Canada to help military personnel and
their families deal with stress injuries.
Helping Veterans
Until recently, Canadian Forces members injured in military
operations such as Afghanistan stopped receiving "danger
pay" when they were evacuated home.
- A new allowance provides the equivalent to danger pay. This
ensures soldiers do not suffer financially when they are
injured while on military operations.
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International Assistance
As Canadians, we take pride in our role in reducing global poverty
and aiding international peace and security. Budget 2006 committed to
doubling our international assistance levels by 2010–11 from 2001–02
levels. Budget 2007 will increase the resources devoted to poverty
reduction and international peace and security by:
- Establishing a three-point program to enhance the focus,
efficiency and accountability of Canada’s international assistance
efforts.
- Providing $200 million in additional support for
reconstruction and development in Afghanistan, with a focus on new
opportunities for women, strengthened governance, enhanced security
and combatting illegal drugs.
- Investing $115 million in the innovative Advance Market
Commitment, led by Canada, Italy and the United Kingdom to create a
pneumococcal vaccine, expected to save more than 5 million
lives by 2030.
Making the World Safer
Canada’s contributions are helping to rebuild Afghanistan.
For example, Canada has provided polio vaccination funding to the
World Health Organization and UNICEF for one-quarter of the
national Afghanistan program. Almost all of the 350,000 children
in Kandahar province have been vaccinated. |
How Can I Get More Information on Budget 2007?
Information is available on the Internet at www.fin.gc.ca or by
phoning:
You can also obtain copies of this brochure and other budget
documents from the:
Distribution Centre
Department of Finance Canada
Room P-135, West Tower
300 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G5
Phone: 613-995-2855 Fax: 613-996-0518
E-mail: services-distribution@fin.gc.ca