The tragic events in Madrid and London demonstrate that rail and urban transit systems are not immune from terrorist attacks. The Government of Canada is committed to protecting citizens and their communities.

Since 2004, Transport Canada has focused on establishing partnerships and building a common understanding within the rail and urban transit community of requirements and current as well as future priorities. As a result of these discussions, Transport Canada is currently implementing a two-year contribution program to address immediate high-risk security priorities in Canada’s major urban transit systems. At the same time, work is ongoing with partners to identify future policy priorities.

Transit-Secure – Transport Canada has developed a two-year contribution program that sunsets March 31, 2009 targeted towards the high volume passenger areas of commuter rail and urban transit, with a focus on major urban transit systems and equipment. This program will provide financial assistance to commuter rail and public transit operators in designated major metropolitan areas to accelerate the implementation of new and enhanced security measures.

Note: Applications are now being accepted for funding Round Four, the final funding round under Transit-Secure.

Strategic Policy Direction - Over the coming year, Transport Canada will work with partners to complete two important strategic initiatives that will provide future directions and identify key priority areas for enhancing transportation security in Canada:

Rail and Urban Transit Security Review - Established to engage other federal departments and agencies, provincial and territorial governments, industry and key stakeholders in a review of rail security issues, and to develop options for a more robust, risk-based security regime in Canada, it was expanded to consider high volume urban transit security. Results of the review will be incorporated into the Multi-Modal Transportation Security Action Plan.

Multi-Modal Transportation Security Action Plan - A broad, multi-modal strategy is being developed to guide long range planning and priority setting. This initiative will take stock of our progress in improving the security of transportation in Canada, look ahead to future challenges, and set priorities for investing our security resources throughout the entire transportation system.

If you would like further information, please contact us by e-mail at
rts@tc.gc.ca or contact :

Tony Ritchie
Executive Director,
Task Force on Rail & Urban Transit Security
Transport Canada
(613) 990-3885