No. H157/06For release
November 16, 2006
HAY RIVER − Mr. Brian Jean, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable
Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today
announced that nine projects aimed at enhancing security at marine facilities in
the Northwest Territories will receive funding under the Marine Security
Contribution Program, and that Transport Canada is now accepting applications
under the program's next round of funding.
This round of funding will provide up to $356,628 to two marine facilities in
the Northwest Territories. The funds will be used for security enhancements such
as surveillance equipment, dockside and perimeter security, command, control and
communications equipment, and training.
"Northwest Territories' marine facilities are of vital importance to trade in
this region of the country," said Mr. Jean. "Because this funding has been
awarded, we can continue to take the steps necessary to ensure the security of
goods passing through our ports and marine facilities."
"Security is important to Canada's New Government," said Minister Cannon. "We
are taking steps to address priority security needs in our transportation system
to help ensure it remains secure and efficient. This funding will give ports and
marine facilities the opportunity to make improvements to security, so they can
be better equipped to address potential terrorist threats."
The funding is a part of the five-year, $115-million program, to help Canada's
ports and marine facilities to modernize and strengthen their security systems
and programs, helping them meet the requirements of the Marine Transportation
Security Regulations and continue to comply with the International Ship and Port
Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
"By enhancing marine security across the country we are taking steps to
strengthen the security of our communities," said the Honourable Stockwell Day,
Minister of Public Safety. "This is part of our government's larger strategy to
protect Canadians and keep Canada safe."
Recipients under this round of funding include:
Hay River
Northern Transportation Company Ltd., Hay River Terminal will
receive up to $245,628; and
Tuktoyaktuk
Northern Transportation Company Ltd., Tuktoyaktuk Terminal will
receive up to $111,000.
Minister Cannon also launched the next round of funding. "Today, we are
delivering on our commitment to expand the contribution program to help meet the
security needs of our domestic ferry system, which so many Canadians rely on
each and every day."
The next round of the Marine Security Contribution Program is open to selected
domestic ferry operators and Canada Port Authorities. Application kits are
currently being distributed to eligible stakeholders, who have until January 19,
2007 to submit their applications. Further information on the eligibility
criteria for this round is available on Transport Canada's website at
www.tc.gc.ca/MarineSecurity.
A backgrounder on the Marine Security Contribution Program is attached.
- 30 -
Contact:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Mélisa Leclerc
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Stockwell Day
Minister of Public Safety
613-991-2863
Susan McLennan
Communications
Transport Canada, Winnipeg
204-983-6315
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 five-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.
In compliance with international security requirements mandated by the
International Maritime Organization's International Ship and Port Facility
Security Code, the Government of Canada implemented the Marine Transportation
Security Regulations, which required ports and marine facilities to have
approved security plans in place.
The program was recently expanded to allow for the participation of domestic
ferry facilities and vessels recognizing the high volume of passengers carried
by domestic ferries every year and the unique security challenges they face as a
result of their extensive, open systems.
Under the Marine Security Contribution Program, ports and other marine
facilities may apply for funds to assist with new security equipment and
programs required under their security plans. These funds not only assist
participants in completing their initial work to meet the requirements of their
plans, but also help them to extend and build on these security enhancements in
the future.
The program allows for the reimbursement of eligible expenses for the period of
April 2004 to November 2009.
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.
Canada's commitment to meet − and exceed − the International Maritime
Organization's security requirements is helping to ensure that Canada's marine
transportation system remains one of the most secure in the world.
November 2006
