No. GC 005/04 For release May 7, 2004 MARINE SECURITY CONTRIBUTION PROGRAM ANNOUNCED HALIFAX - The Government of Canada today announced that it will assist Canada's ports with the cost of modernizing and strengthening their security systems and programs. The funding announcement was made by Transport Minister Tony Valeri at the Port of Halifax's Pier 21. The Marine Facility Security Contribution Program is a three-year, $115 million commitment to assist ports and port facilities with security enhancements. It forms part of the Government of Canada's National Security Policy announced on April 27, 2004 by Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan. "Canada's ports are among the most competitive in the world," said Mr. Valeri. "Today's announcement demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to helping them remain among the most secure." In compliance with new international security requirements, the Government of Canada has required ports and port facilities to have approved security plans in place and operational by July 1, 2004. Under the new program, ports and marine facilities will be able to apply for funds to assist with new security equipment and programs called for under their security plans. These funds will not only assist participants in finalizing their initial work to meet the basic requirements of their plans, it will also help them to extend and build on these security enhancements in the future. Mr. Valeri was joined by Fisheries and Oceans Minister Geoff Regan and Defence Minister David Pratt who outlined initiatives in their respective areas designed to strengthen marine security. "We will continue to collaborate with our federal partners to ensure that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans effectively supports Canada's marine security network," said Minister Regan. "Together, we are demonstrating a unified commitment to ensuring the safety of our waters and of Canadians." "This announcement further demonstrates how government departments and agencies are working together to ensure the safety and security of Canadians," said Mr. Pratt. "To protect our coasts effectively we must ensure security extends from our ports out beyond our 200 nautical mile economic zone and the Canadian navy stands ready to work with other government departments and agencies on this important priority." The National Security Policy proposes to strengthen Canada's marine security by: clarifying and strengthening accountability; establishing Marine Security Operations Centres; increasing the Canadian Forces, RCMP and Canadian Coast Guard's on-water presence, as well as the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' aerial surveillance activities; enhancing civilian and naval fleet communications; pursuing greater marine security co-operation with the United States; and strengthening the security of marine ports and facilities. Backgrounders on marine security are attached. -30- Contact: Christina Van Loon Office of the Minister, Ottawa (613) 991-0700 Bernard Pilon Transport Canada Communications, Ottawa (613) 993-0055 Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada. This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities. BACKGROUNDER MARINE SECURITY TRANSPORT CANADA The Government of Canada is taking concrete action to strengthen marine security. The 2004 Budget provided $605 million over five years for security. These funds will be used to address security priorities that have been identified by the Government of Canada, such as intelligence enhancement, marine security, integrated threat assessments, cyber security, emergency response and enhanced coordination of systems. National Security Policy On April 27, 2004, Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan announced the National Security Policy, which set out a six-point, $308 million program to support marine security. The National Security Policy proposes to strengthen Canada's marine security by: Clarifying and strengthening accountability for marine security among the various responsible departments and agencies. The Minister of Transport will have lead responsibility for marine security and policy coordination. The Minister of Public Security and Emergency Preparedness will have lead responsibility for enforcement and policing, and the Minister of Defence will be responsible for coordination of on-water response to maritime threats and developing crises; Establishing Marine Security Operations Centres to bring to bear all civil and military resources necessary to detect, assess and respond to marine security threats; Increasing the on-water presence of the Canadian Forces Maritime Command, RCMP and Canadian Coast Guard and increasing the Department of Fisheries and Oceans aerial surveillance activities; Investing in secure communications technologies to enhance the ability of our civilian and naval fleets to communicate with each other and Marine Security Operations Centres; Pursuing greater co-operation with the United States to enhance our marine defence and security; and Strengthening security at ports and other maritime facilities, through the Marine Facilities Security Contribution Program. Marine Facility Security Contribution Program The Marine Facility Security Contribution Program is a three-year, $115 million commitment to assist ports and port facilities with security enhancements. The program is application-based and provides funding on a cost-shared basis - i.e., 75 per cent government / 25 per cent recipient - for a number of clearly identified eligible expenses. This funding is in addition to marine security funding initially announced in the National Security Policy. In compliance with new International Maritime Organization security requirements, the Government of Canada has required ports and port facilities to have approved security plans in place and operational by July 1, 2004. Under the Marine Facility Security Contribution Program, ports and marine facilities will be able to apply for funds to assist with new security equipment and programs called for under their security plans. These funds will not only assist participants in finalizing their initial work to meet the requirements of their plans, it will also help them to extend and build on these security enhancements in the future. Canada's commitment to meet - and, in fact, exceed - the International Maritime Organization security requirements will help ensure that our marine transportation system remains one of the most secure in the world. Ports or marine facilities will be able to apply for funds to assist with new security equipment or programs called for under their approved security plans. Projects eligible for funding include: 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; command, control and communications equipment, such as portable and vessel-to-shore radios; and infrastructure security protective measures, such as security guards and arrangements with local police departments. The program is retroactive to April 1, 2004 and is subject to all expenditure controls applicable to contribution programs. Marine Transportation Security Regulations In addition, as announced by Transport Minister Tony Valeri on April 5, 2004, Transport Canada is amending its Marine Transportation Security Regulations in order to strengthen security requirements for vessels, marine facilities and ports. The amendments will implement the requirements of the International Maritime Organization's International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, as well as amendments to its Safety of Life at Sea Convention, 1974. The International Maritime Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations which focuses on the improvement of safety at sea and the prevention of pollution from vessels. The IMO's Security Code requires that all commercial vessels of 500 tons (gross tonnage) or more, or carrying more than 12 passengers and travelling between countries, and marine facilities serving such vessels, perform security assessments, complete security plans and designate security officers. In addition to implementing the IMO requirements, Canada's regulations will extend these requirements to: port facilities in Canada; cargo vessels of 100 tons (gross tonnage) or more; and towing vessels greater than eight metres in length that tow barges carrying dangerous goods in bulk. Other marine security measures These marine security initiatives build on other actions taken by the Government of Canada to enhance marine security since the attacks of September 11, 2001. These actions include: harmonizing the marine security regimes of Canada and the United States so that Canadian-flagged ships that meet Canadian security standards can enter U.S. harbours and U.S.-flagged vessels that meet U.S. standards can enter Canadian harbours; requiring vessels to provide at least 96 hours advance notice before they enter Canadian waters; introducing new boarding protocols to improve the response to threats before vessels arrive at Canadian marine facilities or ports; establishing enhanced security procedures, in partnership with the United States, for vessels entering the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Seaway system; working with international partners to develop new marine international security requirements; and committing $172.5 million for a broad range of initiatives to enhance the security of Canada's marine transportation system and maritime borders including the use of aerial surveillance and vessel monitoring systems, such as automatic identification systems which will enhance Canada's ability to track vessels entering and operating in Canadian waters. Marine security is an important component of overall transportation security, and Transport Canada is committed to working together with stakeholders in all modes, both domestically and internationally, to identify areas where improvements are needed and to make these improvements when necessary. May 2004 BACKGROUNDER MARINE SECURITY FUNDING FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA (DFO) The new funding for marine security will allow Fisheries and Oceans Canada to be more effective in its support of federal security agencies. The National Security Policy, released on April 27th, contained four initiatives for DFO: An investment of $50 million will be made for increased on-water presence in the form of more vessel days for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). This will mean an increased Coast Guard presence and availability in Canadian waters as well as a heightened level of operational readiness. CCG is currently consulting with its regions and federal enforcement partners to develop a detailed plan that will maximize the effectiveness of this investment. An additional investment of $25 million will be provided for increased DFO air surveillance. Augmenting the existing air program is an efficient and cost-effective way to obtain intelligence on marine vessel activities. This will mean more air patrols on both coasts inside and outside Canada's 200-mile limit in support of the Department of National Defence's surveillance and reconnaissance objectives. DFO will receive funding for the co-location of CCG personnel to DND's Marine Security Operation Centres at Trinity (Halifax) and Athena (Esquimalt, BC). This will help to ensure better coordination between the two departments on marine security initiatives. CCG vessels will be outfitted with secure communications and command and control equipment by DND, allowing for better compatibility with DND's systems. This will allow the Coast Guard to participate more effectively in on-water missions directed by DND. This communications technology will allow the Coast Guard to receive information from DND and provide their own information, allowing DND to produce what is called a "common operating picture." The Coast Guard's role is one of support to the security community through the collection and dissemination of marine information, the provision of marine platforms and the provision of infrastructure and expertise. Specifically, CCG's role in marine security consists of monitoring marine traffic; the Marine Search and Rescue (SAR) component of the national SAR program; and vessel platform support to the security community (as owner and operator of the Canadian government civilian fleet).The Coast Guard's primary mandate continues to be marine safety, environmental protection and the facilitation of marine commerce. As well, DFO's Conservation and Protection program supports the security community through an air surveillance program that uses specially equipped surveillance aircraft. Patrols gather intelligence on the positions and activities of vessels operating off Canada's coasts. All surveillance information is passed on to DND for their information gathering systems. May 2004 BACKGROUNDER DOMESTIC MARINE SECURITY NATIONAL DEFENCE On April 27, 2004, the Government of Canada unveiled its new National Security Policy, an integrated strategy and action plan designed to address current and future threats to Canada and Canadians. This policy framework will fulfill core national security interests while maintaining an intrinsic respect for diversity and human rights of all Canadians. One of the key elements of the National Security Policy initiatives is a renewed focus on strengthening marine security, including measures to enhance capability and develop greater marine security cooperation between associated government agencies as well as with the United States. This maritime strategy rests on recognizing the value of the various partnerships that comprise the maritime environment, including the Canadian Forces, Coast Guard, Fisheries and Oceans, RCMP, PSEP (Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness) and our American neighbours. The Navy plays a key role in safeguarding Canada's maritime approaches by: Conducting and coordinating surveillance of Canada's coastal areas; fusing information derived from surveillance systems and intelligence agencies to understand who is operating in our waters, why they are there, and what they are doing; and providing the government with the capability to find, intercept and board suspicious vessels at sea. Given the importance of Canada's offshore areas and resources to the nation's continued economic prosperity, Canada needs to ensure that others do not feel at liberty to harvest our resources, abuse our waters, or use them to deliver acts of terrorism. Within Canada's Atlantic Ocean area alone, an average of 350 merchant vessels and over 150 fishing vessels use our waters every day. Similarly, a daily average of over 400 vessels can be found operating within Canada's Pacific Ocean areas. It is important for Canada to know who they are and what they are doing in this global terrorism era in order: to protect our valuable ocean economic resources; to guard against their unlawful use; to safeguard against environmental abuses; and to enforce Canadian law in areas where we have the obligation to do so as a sovereign nation. The validity, and the magnitude, of ensuring a robust marine security environment have been recognized by the government in its allocation of funds; of the $690 million allocated to the new national security policy, $308 million has been earmarked for marine security. With the world's longest coastline and an overall area of responsibility approaching 10 million kilometres, the task of safeguarding our national sovereignty and prosperity is challenging. Maritime threats to our sovereignty and security generally include foreign overfishing, polluters, organized crime (drug trafficking, piracy, migrant smuggling) and emerging terrorist activities. Subsequently, the government will implement a six-point Marine Security Plan and invest $308 million from the security reserve set aside in Budget 2004. The Marine Security Plan will: clarify and strengthen accountability for marine security by establishing specific functional areas and personnel dedicated to marine security ($5 million); establish Marine Security Operations Centres that will fuse and share surveillance information with associated Government Departments ($165 million); increase the on-water presence of the Coast Guard, RCMP and the Navy, putting more ships and other vessels at sea to deter or respond to a threat ($75 million) as well as increase the Department of Fisheries and Oceans aerial surveillance activities ($25 million); provide secure fleet communications so that associated agencies can share and use information using modern technology ($38 million); pursue closer cooperation with the United States to enhance our collective marine defence and security; and strengthen security at ports and other marine facilities, such as our Seaway Locks. Notwithstanding the government's renewed commitment to marine security, the Navy, in close cooperation with federal and provincial agencies, has already been working to improve marine security. For example: Last year, the Government addressed Domestic Marine Security as a priority providing DND with approximately $40 million to be used in the development of an expanded military coastal surveillance system that uses military High Frequency Surface Wave Radar technology. The two existing High Frequency Surface Wave Radars sites have the capability to track vessels more than 250 kilometres off the coast. Our ability to collect and share this data with other government departments aids in the development of a comprehensive picture of activities in our maritime areas. Over the next five years additional radar sites will be constructed on both coasts and the radar picture will be shared amongst federal departments and agencies giving Canada an enhanced and integrated maritime surveillance and control capability. The information provided by the High Frequency Surface Wave Radar system will be used to extend our warning against ships and aircraft attempting to covertly approach our territory. In addition to maritime surface surveillance, the Navy has also been conducting seabed mapping of all major ports and seaways to prevent the potential sabotaging of these vital commercial shipping routes. In addition to the surveillance and monitoring of our coasts the Navy has taken steps to tighten security around our naval bases as well as our ships by implementing a system of Controlled Access Zones to be enforced when necessary. Pooling our national resources in maritime surveillance, opening our lines of communication, embarking on new projects and reenergizing the capabilities of our Navy will add to the maritime security systems that are already in place. The assertion of Canadian sovereignty in our waters always has been, and will continue to be the Navy's top priority. The National Security Policy and its associated Domestic Marine Security Plan bolsters the Navy's key role with new resources and a holistic governmental approach that demands increased levels of integration and cooperation amongst all departments and agencies associated with on-water surveillance and response. The Government's investment of $308 million into domestic maritime security will ensure that the six-point Marine Security Plan has the necessary resources, capabilities, and effectiveness to continue our commitment to protecting Canada against current and future threats. May 2004
