No. H 085/07
For release - May 10, 2007
HALIFAX — Five projects aimed at enhancing security at ports and domestic ferry services in Nova Scotia will receive funding under the Marine Security Contribution Program. This announcement was made today by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
This round of funding will provide up to $159,765 to strengthen marine security in Nova Scotia. Digby's Bay Ferries will receive up to $46,059 and the Halifax Port Authority will receive up to $113,706. The funds will be used for security enhancements such as surveillance equipment, dockside and perimeter security, command, control and communications equipment, and training.
"The ports and marine services in this province handle many millions of tonnes of commercial goods every year," said Minister MacKay. "Ensuring they are safe and secure at all times is of the utmost importance."
"Ensuring the safety and security of Canadians is a priority for Canada's New Government," said Minister Cannon. "Today's funding will enable ports and domestic ferry services to make necessary improvements to the security of their operations, which will ultimately help ensure Canada's transportation system remains secure and efficient."
The five-year, $115-million program is helping Canada's ports, marine facilities and domestic ferry services 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 Code.
"This funding is testimony to our new government's commitment to beef up marine security," said the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety. "We are taking concrete actions to make our borders smart and secure, which is critical to the safety of our communities."
The Marine Security Contribution Program is application-based and provides funding to recipients on a cost-sharing basis for a number of clearly identified eligible expenses.
A backgrounder on the Marine Security Contribution Program is attached.
–30–
Contacts:
Natalie SarafianPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister of Transport,Infrastructure and Communities andMinister responsible for Quebec, Ottawa613-991-0700
André LemayPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister of ForeignAffairs and Minister of the AtlanticCanada Opportunities Agency, Ottawa613-992-6562
Steve BoneCommunicationsTransport Canada, Dartmouth902-426-7795
Mélisa LeclercDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister ofPublic Safety, Ottawa613-991-2863
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news 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 services 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, Canada Port Authorities; harbour commissions; private ports; port terminal operators; marine facilities; the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation; commercialized and private ferry terminals; ferry vessels; municipalities; and provinces 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 2007 for Canada Port Authorities, April 2004 to November 2009 for marine facilities and June 2006 to November 2009 for domestic ferry services.
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;
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.
May 2007
