No. H249/05
For release November 23, 2005
VANCOUVER - Twenty-three new projects to enhance security at ports and marine
facilities in British Columbia, under the second round of funding from the
Marine Security Contribution Program, were announced today by Minister of
Industry and co-Senior Minister Responsible for British Columbia David L.
Emerson, 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.
"Today's announcement will enable twenty-three ports and marine facilities in
British Columbia to make important security improvements," said Mr. Emerson.
"These enhancement projects will ensure that our national transportation system
continues to be one of the most secure in the world. And that is a crucial
element in our Pacific Gateway strategy to make British Columbia the natural
link between Asian and North American markets."
This second round of funding will provide up to $9.6 million in British
Columbia. Recipients include:
Chemainus
Cascadia Forest Products Ltd. will receive up to $68,501;
Crofton
Catalyst Paper Corporation will receive up to $220,961;
Delta
Annacis Auto Terminals (1997) Ltd. will receive up to $14,321;
Kitimat
Eurocan Pulp & Paper Co. will receive up to $220,394;
Nanaimo
Nanaimo Port Authority will receive up to $117,000;
New Westminster
Fraser River Port Authority will receive up to $409,117;
North Vancouver
James Richardson International Ltd. will receive up to
$214,214;
Neptune Bulk Terminals (Canada) Ltd. will receive up to $321,900;
Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Inc. will receive up to $73,871;
Seaspan International Ltd. will receive up to $18,901;
Vancouver Drydock Company Ltd. will receive up to $211,975;
Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd. will receive up to $172,065;
Vancouver Wharves Limited Partnership will receive up to $200,180;
Prince Rupert
Prince Rupert Port Authority will receive up to $60,963;
Stromdahl's Services Ltd. will receive up to $27,801;
Port Moody
Pacific Coast Terminals Co. Ltd. will receive up to $100,762;
Richmond
Fraser Wharves Ltd. will receive up to $192,979;
Surrey
Fraser Surrey Docks Ltd. will receive up to $1,641,305;
Vancouver
Pacific Elevators Limited will receive up to $306,227;
TSI Terminal Systems Inc. will receive up to $1,256,109;
Vancouver Port Authority will receive up to $3,623,382;
Victoria
Greater Victoria Harbour Authority will receive up to
$4,045; and
Victoria Shipyards Co. Ltd. will receive up to $108,289.
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
