No. H246/05
For release November 23, 2005
TORONTO - Five new projects to enhance security at ports and marine facilities
in the Greater Toronto Area, under the second round of funding from the Marine
Security Contribution Program, were announced today by Minister of Citizenship
and Immigration, Joseph Volpe, 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.
"Five ports and marine facilities in the Greater Toronto Area will benefit
from today's funding," said Mr. Volpe. "In fact, all Canadians will benefit from
today's funding because we all win when security enhancements are made to our
national transportation system."
This second round of funding will provide up to $1 million in this region.
Recipients include:
Oshawa
McAsphalt Industries Ltd. - Oshawa will receive up to $121,451;
Toronto
Essroc Italcementi Group - Toronto will receive up to $7,921;
McAsphalt Industries Ltd. (Basin St.) will receive up to $37,575;
Rideau Bulk Terminals - Toronto will receive up to $534,918; and
Toronto Port Authority will receive up to $376,773.
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 Dupéré
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
Vanessa Vermette
Communications,
Transport Canada, 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 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
