No. GC001/03For release - January 22, 2003
HALIFAX — Transport Minister David Collenette, on behalf of the Government of Canada at an event today at Pier 21, announced a five-year package of initiatives of up to $172.5 million designed to further enhance the security of Canada's marine transportation system and maritime borders. Minister Collenette was joined by Solicitor General Wayne Easter, Fisheries and Oceans Minister Robert Thibault and Minister of National Revenue Elinor Caplan.
The Government of Canada also unveiled new gamma ray technology that will be installed at strategic locations to enhance marine security across the country.
"Canada has one of the safest and most secure transportation systems in the world," said Mr. Collenette. "These initiatives demonstrate the Government of Canada's commitment to enhancing marine security since the events of September 11, 2001."
The Government of Canada is announcing marine security projects to be carried out by six federal government departments and agencies. The projects focus on safeguarding and protecting our marine infrastructure, surveillance of Canadian waters and improving our emergency response capabilities.
Specific projects include:
increasing surveillance and tracking of marine traffic, including "near real-time" identification and tracking of vessels in Canadian waters;
screening of passengers and crew on board vessels;
installing new detection equipment in ports to screen containers for radiation;
new funding for the enhancement of the RCMP Emergency Response Teams and the establishment of permanent investigator positions at major ports;
enhancing collaboration and coordination among government departments and agencies;
making further improvements to port security by establishing restricted areas and requiring people working within these areas to undergo thorough background checks; and
developing and implementing new security requirements in line with recent recommendations of the International Maritime Organization.
A number of the projects stem from ongoing analysis by the Interdepartmental Marine Security Working Group that was formed by the Government of Canada following the attacks of September 11, 2001. This group, with broad representation from federal government departments and agencies, has already undertaken a number of initiatives to improve marine security, including:
increasing the requirement for advance notice by vessels entering Canadian waters to 96 hours;
introducing new boarding protocols to improve the response to any threats before ships arrive in Canadian ports;
in partnership with the United States, establishing enhanced security screening procedures for ships entering the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system; and
working with international partners to develop new international marine security requirements.
"The Government of Canada remains committed to taking the required action to protect Canadians," said Mr. Thibault. "The initiatives announced today will significantly improve the surveillance and security of Canada's marine transportation system and maritime borders."
"Federal government departments and agencies will be working closely with industry and local authorities to carry out a number of the new initiatives announced today," said Mr. Easter. "Vigilance and close collaboration, within and outside our borders, will remain our best defence against terrorist threats."
These projects build on the Government of Canada's overall response to the September 11, 2001 attacks and to the global threat of terrorism. The hallmark of Canada's approach to national security is collaboration among departments and agencies at all levels of government, and with industry stakeholders and the international community.
At the announcement in Halifax, Elinor Caplan, Minister of National Revenue, unveiled one of the first new mobile Vehicle and Cargo Inspection Systems (VACISTM) purchased by the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency to enhance shipping container security. The Agency has purchased 11 VACISTM units, which are truck-mounted mobile scanning systems that scan an image of contents in a marine container, rail car or truck.
This new state-of-the-art technology provides operators of the equipment with an image similar in many ways to an X-ray. It will further assist customs officers to examine densely loaded containers and detect suspected contraband, weapons, and other potentially dangerous goods.
"This is the latest in a series of innovative technologies that we are investing in to increase public safety," said Minister Caplan. "These mobile VACISTM units will allow customs inspectors to better protect Canadians."
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Contacts:
Anthony PolciDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the MinisterTransport Canada(613) 991-0700
Dan BrienCommunications AssistantOffice of the MinisterSolicitor General of CanadaOttawa, (613) 794-4605
Sarah BainPress SecretaryOffice of the MinisterCitizenship and Immigration CanadaOttawa, (613) 954-1064
Randy MylykOffice of the MinisterNational DefenceOttawa, (613) 996-3100
Caroline QuinnDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the MinisterFisheries and Oceans CanadaOttawa, (613) 996-0076
Derik HodgsonOffice of the MinisterCanada Customs andRevenue AgencyOttawa, (613) 995-2960
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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BACKGROUNDERHIGHLIGHTS OF NEW MARINE SECURITY INITIATIVES
Over the past 16 months, the Government of Canada has taken significant actions to enhance the security of Canadians in response to the global threat of terrorism. Immediately following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the government established the Ad Hoc Cabinet Committee on Public Security and Anti-Terrorism to guide Canada's efforts to deal with challenges to national security - both immediate and longer term. It put in place the Anti-Terrorism Plan, Canada's ongoing response to the threats posed by terrorists. And in the December 2001 budget, the government committed $7.7 billion over five years to enhance the personal and economic security of Canadians. Improvements to the security of Canada's marine transportation system and maritime borders are key components of the Anti-Terrorism Plan.
Canada's marine sector supports a vital trade gateway, connecting Canada to the world. In 2000, Canadian international marine trade, including traffic between Canada and the U.S., was valued at more than $100 billion, one-eighth of our total trade. Canada's marine sector employs more than 30,000 people.
The Government of Canada's marine security package is designed to help protect the Canadian marine sector by implementing initiatives to increase our capacity to prevent, detect and manage security threats. Included are enhanced surveillance of traffic approaching Canadian ports, improved screening of crew, passengers, port workers and cargo, and more resources for law enforcement. The package will be administered cooperatively by a number of federal departments and agencies. The initiatives fall under seven themes:
I. Increasing surveillance and tracking of marine traffic, including "near real-time" identification and tracking of vessels in Canadian waters
Transport Canada will be requiring that vessels be equipped with Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), in line with new international requirements recently adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Canada is a leader within the G8, the IMO, the World Customs Organization, and APEC in promoting international action to improve marine security. The Canadian Coast Guard will build and operate the shore-based component of AIS and develop a capability for long-range vessel identification and tracking, which will significantly enhance awareness of vessels approaching and operating in Canadian waters.
As well, the Department of Fisheries and Ocean's (DFO) Conservation and Protection Program will expand its air surveillance program. Augmenting the existing air program is an efficient and cost-effective way for Canada to obtain intelligence on marine vessel activities. The funding will allow DFO to continue with its expanded air surveillance role that began earlier this year. This will mean more air patrols on both coasts inside and outside Canada's 200-mile limit. It will also mean that patrols can be conducted at an enhanced level to gather information for security purposes, in addition to increased fisheries enforcement and pollution detection.
The Department of National Defence will adopt radar systems that follow the curvature of the oceans' surface, as opposed to emitting waves in a straight line, thus significantly increasing the range over which these radar systems can operate. Two High Frequency Surface Wave Radar systems were developed by Defence R&D Canada and additional systems will be developed by the department.
These initiatives, in addition to the related surveillance initiatives, will significantly improve Canada's marine domain awareness. They will provide intelligence agencies with a more comprehensive picture and knowledge of vessels approaching and operating in Canadian waters.
Over the next five years, the Department of National Defence will commit up to $43.1 million and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans will commit up to $37.5 million towards these initiatives.
II. Screening of passengers and crew on board vessels
New funding will enhance the Government of Canada's ability to screen marine crew and passengers in order to interdict terrorists and irregular migrants. This will be achieved through the addition of immigration officers dedicated to seaports.
New marine immigration teams will be created in the B.C., Quebec and Atlantic regions by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). These regional teams will work with partner agencies to screen ships and identify vessels of interest as they enter Canadian waters. As these vessels enter ports, CIC marine enforcement officers will go on board to examine documentation, passengers and crew.
Over the next five years, CIC will commit up to $16.5 million, and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service will commit up to $600,000 towards this initiative.
III. Installing new detection equipment in ports to screen containers for radiation
New technology is being tested and procured to further enhance the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency's ability to stop dangerous goods from illegally entering Canada through its ports. New systems will enable Customs to proactively search out and identify illicit sources of radiation entering Canada.
Over the next few months, ports across the country will receive new equipment to scan containers. The mobile VACISTM is a truck mounted gamma ray scanning system which captures an image of the contents of a marine container, rail car or truck.
In addition to the VACISTM equipment, the government will be testing radiation detection systems, including radiation detectors mounted on the gantry cranes used to offload a container vessel. When radiation is detected by the crane-mounted unit, further testing to determine which isotope caused the alarm and its level is done using hand-held survey meters. Tests will also include vehicle mounted and portal detection units.
These devices will significantly increase the number of containers that are screened.
Over the next five years the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency will commit up to $9.5 million to this initiative.
IV. New funding for the enhancement of the RCMP Emergency Response Teams and the establishment of permanent investigator positions at major ports
Through its National Ports Strategy, the RCMP strategically and tactically addresses criminal activities and terrorism at Canada's major marine ports. New funding will go to enhance RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT) capacity, through specialized training. The ERT is a key element of the RCMP's strategy to effectively handle potentially threatening situations on Canadian waters. The new funding will also go towards establishing permanent investigator positions at major ports.
The RCMP enforces federal statutes dealing with issues such as migrant smuggling, illegal drugs, illegal firearms and national security. The RCMP's overall objective is to take an intelligence-led, multi-disciplinary and integrated approach to prevent, deter and detect any illicit and/or terrorist activity, cargo or people at Canada's major marine ports that may pose a threat to national, U.S. and global safety and security.
Over the next five years the Solicitor General of Canada and the RCMP will commit up to $9.6 million towards these initiatives.
V. Enhanced collaboration and coordination among government departments and agencies
As the lead federal agency responsible for marine transportation security, Transport Canada is working with other federal departments, agencies and police forces as well as their counterparts at provincial, municipal and international levels. Effective coordination is paramount for the success of all marine security activities. Up to $16.2 million will be split among the departments for enhanced coordination and collaboration.
Several federal departments and agencies have roles and responsibilities in providing security for the marine transportation system. In October 2001, the government established the Interdepartmental Marine Security Working Group, with Transport Canada as the chair, as the centrepiece of Canada's marine security coordination. Other key members include:
Canada Customs and Revenue Agency
Canadian Security and Intelligence Service
Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Department of Justice
Department of National Defence
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Solicitor General of Canada
Starting in 2003-04, the Working Group will be responsible for managing a new marine security coordination program. This program will be used to fund one-time or limited-period projects that will enhance the collaboration and coordination of federal departments and agencies. This flexibility in targeting resources at critical times towards pivotal coordination activities or projects will support federal efforts to maximize the benefits of marine security resources. It will also enhance the responsiveness of the federal government to changes in the national and international marine security environment.
The Department of the Solicitor General of Canada will receive funding of $1 million over five years to coordinate counter-terrorism training dedicated to marine-based scenarios. This will allow for a major exercise every other year to enhance inter-agency coordination in response to marine-based terrorist threats. The exercises will also enable testing and refining of new operational and policy protocols relating to marine security.
Enhanced security of the marine transportation system also requires the cooperation of all countries involved in the international movement of cargo and people by ships. Canada is taking an active role in the development of international agreements against terrorism and crime in marine transportation.
VI. Making further improvements to port security by establishing restricted areas and requiring people working within these areas to undergo thorough background checks
Marine facility operators will be required to establish restricted areas in order to protect critical infrastructure of the marine transportation system. Persons working within these restricted areas will be subject to thorough background checks. Transport Canada will conduct these examinations in cooperation with the RCMP and CSIS. The aim of this new program is to ensure the safety of persons at ports as well as the prevention of unlawful acts of interference with marine transportation. In developing and implementing this program, Transport Canada intends to consult closely with stakeholders including marine facility operators and unions representing workers at these facilities.
The government will work with port authorities to identify and establish restricted areas and to institute a regime of access controls.
This will build on the experience acquired from similar programs established in the air sector. The Airport Restricted Area Access Clearance Program was implemented in the late 1980s.
Over the next five years, Transport Canada will commit up to $11.8 million, the RCMP will commit up to $1.9 million and CSIS will commit up to $7.1 million towards this initiative.
VII. Developing and implementing new security requirements in line with recent recommendations of the International Maritime Organization
As a member of the International Maritime Organization, Canada was also an active participant in the development of maritime security amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). The IMO's Diplomatic Conference on Maritime Security, held in London in December 2002, adopted provisions on maritime security to this convention, including:
implementation of Automatic Identification Systems on ships by December 31, 2004; and
the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code which comes into effect on July 1, 2004. It imposes significant requirements on shipping companies, port operators and contracting governments including security plans and assessments, designation of security officers, setting of security levels and installation of alert systems on board ships.
Transport Canada will be increasing the number of marine security inspectors to provide oversight of compliance and enforcement of the new regulations.
Over the next five years, Transport Canada will commit up to $17.7 million towards regulatory and inspection costs associated with this initiative.
