No. H245/05
For release - November 22, 2005
HALIFAX — Eleven new projects to enhance security at ports and marine facilities in Nova Scotia, under the second round of funding from the Marine Security Contribution Program, were announced today by Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister Responsible for Nova Scotia, Geoff Regan, on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre.
The three-year, $115-million program, which was announced in May 2004, is helping Canada's ports and marine facilities to modernize and strengthen their security systems and programs. This contribution program is part of the National Security Policy announced on April 27, 2004, which sets out a six-point plan to strengthen marine security across Canada.
"What does today's announcement mean for the Province of Nova Scotia?" said Mr. Regan. "It means that eleven ports and marine facilities will receive funding to make important security enhancements to the national transportation system."
This second round of funding will provide up to $4.5 million. Recipients include:
•
Dartmouth
Cherubini Metal Works Limited will receive up to $127,355;
•
Liverpool
Bowater Mersey Paper Co. Ltd. will receive up to $51,636;
•
Louisbourg
Harbour Authority of Louisbourg will receive up to $31,151;
•
Halifax
Cerescorp Company will receive up to $1,012,965;EnCana Offshore Supply Base will receive up to $24,985;Halifax Port Authority will receive up to $2,619,320;Halterm Limited will receive up to $78,924;Scotia Terminals Limited will receive up to $24,048;
•
Point Tupper
Savage Canac Corporation will receive up to $144,750;
•
Sydney
Provincial Energy Ventures Ltd. will receive up to $309,193; and
•
Yarmouth
Bay Ferries Limited will receive up to $35,421.
These funds will be used for security enhancements such as surveillance equipment, dockside and perimeter security, security design studies, command, control and communications equipment, and training.
"The security of Canadians is everyone's business," said Mr. Lapierre. "It is through programs like the Marine Security Contribution Program that the Government of Canada is able to help ensure companies on the ground are getting the funds needed to make necessary security enhancements."
Funding for these projects was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.
A backgrounder on the Marine Security Contribution Program is attached.
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Contacts:
Mylène DupéréPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister, Ottawa(613) 991-0700
Vanessa VermetteCommunications,Transport Canada, Ottawa(613) 993-0055
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BACKGROUNDERMARINE SECURITY CONTRIBUTION PROGRAM
The Marine Security Contribution Program is a three-year, $115-million Government of Canada commitment to assist ports and marine facilities with security enhancements. The program is application-based and provides funding on a cost-shared basis - 75 per cent government / 25 per cent recipient - for a number of clearly identified eligible expenses.
Through the Canadian Marine Transportation Security Regulations, the Government of Canada requires ports and marine facilities to have approved security plans. Under the Marine Security Contribution Program, ports and marine facilities can apply for funds to be used for the purchase of new security equipment and the implementation of programs required under their security plans. These funds will not only assist participants in completing their initial work to meet the requirements of their plans, but 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's security requirements will help ensure that Canada's marine transportation system remains one of the most secure in the world.
Projects eligible for funding include:
installation of 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;
acquisition of command, control and communications equipment, such as portable and vessel-to-shore radios; and
training and security design studies.
The program is retroactive to April 1, 2004 and is subject to all expenditure controls applicable to contribution programs.
November 2005
