Enhancing Security for Canadians

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"Canadians have been confronted with a new kind of threat at home – and to protect ourselves, we must respond in new kinds of ways."

Finance Minister Paul Martin
2001 budget speech

Introduction

The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States have forced Canadians to confront a new kind of threat at home.

The federal government acted quickly. It increased support for security and intelligence measures, introduced anti-terrorism legislation and took steps to cut off terrorist financing.

Canada also joined with its allies in the war against terrorism abroad.

Budget 2001 takes the Government’s response even further. It introduces a comprehensive plan to enhance personal and economic security by:

• keeping Canadians safe;
• keeping terrorists out of Canada; and
• keeping Canada’s borders secure, open and efficient.

In total, the budget provides $7.7 billion over the next five years to enhance security for Canadians. This includes:

• $6.5 billion for security, including air security and Canada’s military; plus
• more than $1.2 billion for initiatives designed to make Canada’s border more secure, open and efficient.

Security Measures

Protecting citizens, their property and their way of life from external threats is a fundamental role of government. This budget’s approach to security is based on:

a) increased intelligence and policing;

b) enhanced screening of arrivals to Canada; and

c) better emergency preparedness and support for the military.

Security funding in Budget 2001 includes $1.2 billion over the next five years for the Department of National Defence and its agencies.

a) Intelligence and Policing

Better intelligence and enhanced policing will help to prevent terrorism, deal with terrorists and – where mandated – have them removed from the country.

This budget includes $1.6 billion over the next five years to:

• equip and deploy more intelligence officers and front-line investigative personnel. This funding will go to federal departments and agencies, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service;
• improve co-ordination among law enforcement, intelligence and national security agencies;
• boost marine security through greater funding for coastal surveillance; and
• strengthen the role of the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada in cutting off terrorist financing.

b) Screening of Entrants to Canada

Canada welcomes visitors, as well as immigrants and refugees who want to live peacefully in this country. That will not change.

But the Government recognizes that authorities must have a better ability to identify and exclude those who pose a risk to Canada and the rest of the world.

Budget 2001 invests $1 billion over the next five years to improve the screening of immigrants, refugee claimants and visitors. These initiatives will include:

• better and more accurate screening;
• more resources for detentions and removals;
• quicker determination of refugee claims; and
• new fraud-resistant Permanent Resident Cards.

Enhanced security features will also be introduced for the Canadian passport.

c) Emergency Preparedness and Support for the Military

Security measures in Budget 2001 aim to minimize the potential for terrorism. But the Government must ensure that, if a terrorist act does occur, it can respond quickly and effectively.

Budget 2001 puts more than $1.6 billion towards emergency preparedness and the military. These measures include:

• doubling the capacity of Joint Task Force Two – the Canadian Forces’ elite anti-terrorist unit;
• military funding, including support for Canada’s participation in the international war on terrorism;
• enhancing laboratory networks and buying specialized equipment for responding to chemical, biological and nuclear threats; and
• improving Canada’s ability to protect critical infrastructure – such as water and energy utilities, and transportation and communications systems.

In addition to addressing the threat of terrorism, these added resources will better position Canada to respond to other types of emergencies, such as floods and other natural disasters.

A New Approach to Air Security

Canada has one of the safest aviation systems in the world. Still, the events of September 11 have had a significant impact on the security needs of air travellers.

Budget 2001 is allocating $2.2 billion over the next five years to make air travel more secure in accordance with rigorous new national Transport Canada standards.

To ensure that these standards are met, the Government will create a new air security authority. New air security measures will include:

• armed undercover police officers on Canadian aircraft;
• better-trained personnel to screen passengers and carry-on baggage;
• new state-of-the-art explosives detection systems at Canada’s airports;
• enhanced policing in airports;
• replacement of aircraft cockpit doors to make them more secure; and
• enhanced security zones at aircraft handling facilities and on tarmacs.

These measures will be funded by a new Air Travellers Security Charge to be paid by air travellers starting April 1, 2002, for travel in Canada. The total cost of the charge will be $12 each way.

A Secure, Open and Efficient Border

The Government’s security agenda involves much more than physical security for Canadians. A key element is rebuilding confidence through greater economic security.

Every day, close to $2 billion worth of goods and services crosses the Canada-U.S. border. Given the magnitude of this two-way trade, maintaining an open border is critical to both countries.

Budget 2001 invests more than $1.2 billion in measures designed to make the border more secure, open and efficient.

Border Security and Facilitation

Of the more than $1.2 billion dedicated to border-related measures, $646 million will be targeted to measures aimed at enhancing border security while facilitating the flow of goods between Canada and the U.S. These measures include:

• new technology to help Customs officers facilitate border crossings for goods and travellers;
• new Canadian multi-agency Integrated Border Enforcement Teams to co-ordinate intelligence and enforcement efforts along the Canada-U.S. border;
• advanced information-sharing technology to help Customs officers screen travellers arriving at airports and other border-entry points;
• better equipment for detecting explosives, firearms and other dangers without delaying the flow of legitimate commerce or tourism; and
• new secure Internet-based technology to ease Customs compliance for small business.

Border Infrastructure

To help make the border more efficient, Budget 2001 also creates:

• a new $600-million program to improve infrastructure that supports major border crossings, such as highways and commercial vehicle processing centres.

Under this program, the Government will seek partnerships with the provinces, municipalities and the private sector.

How Can I Get More Information on Budget 2001?

Information is available on the Internet at www.fin.gc.ca.

You can also obtain copies of this brochure and other budget documents from the:

Distribution Centre
Department of Finance Canada
Room P-135, West Tower
300 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G5

Phone: (613) 995-2855
Fax: (613) 996-0518
E-mail: budget2001@fin.gc.ca