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Canada to Bolster Antiterror Sea and Border Defenses
Canada plans to increase spending on antiterrorism defenses by $452 million, particularly aiming to tighten security at seaports, the Canadian Press reported today (see GSN, March 4). The new money, to be distributed over five years, will be used for marine and cyber security, border protection and other initiatives. This funding brings the total of Canadian federal spending on terror security following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States to $6.2 billion, the Canadian Press said. Canadian Public Safety Minister Anne McLellan called the increase a “substantial investment” in the country’s security. Peter MacKay, a Conservative member of Canada’s Parliament, said a “huge, gaping hole” remains in the budget for security, leaving Canada unable to secure its shores. “It’s extremely disappointing given the fact that there is still a very real and present danger in North America,” MacKay said. Security officials in Canada have long been concerned that a radiological or biological weapon could be brought to a Canadian port in a shipping container, according to the Canadian Press. In light of U.S. efforts to bolster maritime security through enhanced spending, Canada’s port authorities are lobbying their government for similar spending increases (Canadian Press/Edmonton Journal, March 24).
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