GC No. 009/06
For release June 23, 2006
OTTAWA — The Government of Canada is committed to supporting global
counter-terrorism and security initiatives. The Honourable Lawrence Cannon,
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, together with the
Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister
responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, today announced
the Government of Canada is contributing $500,000 to the International
Maritime Organization's International Maritime Security Trust Fund. Canada's
contribution is the largest contribution ever made to the fund by a single
member state.
"Our marine security program meets or exceeds international standards and
ranks among the best in the world," said Minister Cannon. "This contribution
of funds to international counter-terrorism efforts builds on our excellent
relationship with the International Maritime Organization, and we look
forward to working in collaboration with our international partners to
further enhance marine security."
The International Maritime Security Trust Fund helps developing states meet
international maritime security standards set by the International Maritime
Organization, an agency of the United Nations. Canada's contribution to this
fund will assist contracting states in implementing the requirements
mandated under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS)
code.
Transport Canada formally announced the contribution to the International
Maritime Organization during the 96th session of the organization's council,
which met in London, United Kingdom from June 19 to 23, 2006.
"Canada plays a leadership role in maritime security worldwide," said
Minister MacKay. "This contribution to the International Maritime Security
Trust Fund demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to fighting
terrorism and strengthening security around the world."
Contributing to the International Maritime Security Trust Fund is one of
many steps that the Government of Canada is taking to enhance security.
Budget 2006 recently announced $1.4 billion to enhance national security,
including more than $250 million to continue to improve transportation
security in Canada.
A backgrounder on Canada's counter-terrorism capacity
building program is attached.
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Contacts:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1874
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
COUNTER-TERRORISM CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM
Since September 11, 2001, Canada has gone to considerable lengths to increase
its domestic capacity to prevent and respond to terrorist activity.
Strengthening Canada's domestic response has been and should be a priority.
However, Canada's security is inextricably linked to that of other states. When
other states lack the resources or expertise to prevent and respond to terrorist
activity, the security of Canadians and Canadian interests, at home and abroad,
is at risk.
The Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program was created by the Government of
Canada in 2005 with a mandate to provide counter-terrorism capacity building
assistance to developing states. This can consist of training, funding,
equipment, technical and legal assistance to other states to enable them to
prevent and respond to terrorist activity, in a manner consistent with both
international counter-terrorism and human rights norms, standards and
obligations.
This program, with a $15-million annual allocation, is administered by the
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. It is managed by an
interdepartmental steering committee to ensure a whole-of-government approach to
this assistance. Most program assistance is to be provided by the 19 federal
departments and agencies that constitute the interdepartmental steering
committee, although partnerships with provincial and municipal officials (such
as police services and justice ministries), as well as established
international, private sector, non-governmental organizations and centres of
expertise are encouraged.
This program enables Canada to share its expertise in seven areas: border
security; transportation security; legal and regulatory assistance, and human
rights and counter-terrorism training; law enforcement, military and
intelligence training; combating the financing of terrorism; and cyber security
and critical infrastructure protection.
For more information, please contact the Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building
Program Secretariat at
ctcbp@international.gc.ca or visit the program website:
www.ctcbp.gc.ca.
June 2006
