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Government of Canada announces call for applications for Transit-Secure7 July 2006
Further to the announcement earlier this month by Prime Minister Harper, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced the call for applications for the first round of funding under Transit-Secure, the Government of Canada's $80-million passenger rail and urban transit security contribution program.
"Transit-Secure will provide passenger rail and urban transit operators with the funding required to accelerate the implementation of new and enhanced security measures," said Minister Cannon. "In doing so, the new Government of Canada is helping to keep Canadian families and communities safe."
Transit-Secure is one of the $115 million in initial measures announced earlier this month to enhance the security of Canada's passenger rail and urban transit operations.
It delivers on part of the $1.4 billion in national security funding that was committed in the recent Budget to protect Canadian families and communities, to secure our borders and to increase emergency preparedness.
Round one of the contribution program will provide financial assistance to enhance security to high-volume commuter rail and public transit operators in six urban areas - Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, the National Capital Region, and Montreal - based on a targeted, risk-management approach.
The first round of funding will support the development of security and response plans and the acquisition of security equipment such as communications, surveillance networks, lighting and access control equipment.
Operators in other communities will be eligible for assistance to carry out security assessments and to develop security plans in future rounds of funding.
Funding will be provided on a cost-shared basis - 75 per cent from the federal government and 25 per cent from the recipient.
Details of the contribution program, including application information and project eligibility criteria, are available at www.tc.gc.ca/vigilance/sep/rail/Contribution_Program/menu.htm. The deadline for applications for this first round is August 15, 2006 and recipients are expected to be announced in September 2006.
A backgrounder on the initial measures for passenger rail and urban transit security is attached.
INITIAL MEASURES FOR PASSENGER RAIL AND URBAN TRANSIT SECURITY
Background
Transportation is the backbone of the Canadian economy - our network of roads, railways, shipping lines and airlines keeps people and goods moving across the country and around the world. In some parts of the world, however, transportation infrastructure has become a primary target - and even a tool - for terrorist organizations. Recently, Budget 2006 announced $1.4 billion to enhance national security, including over $250 million to continue to improve transportation security in Canada.
Since 2001, the Government of Canada has committed more than $10 billion towards national security, of which nearly $2.4 billion has been allocated to strengthen aviation security and $930 million to strengthen marine security - each focusing on areas of highest risk.
More recently, the March 2004 bombings in Madrid, Spain, and the July 2005 bombings in London, England, have led Canada to focus on transportation security in high volume passenger transportation sectors. The passenger rail and urban transit sector presents unique security challenges because it consists of extensive, open systems that move high volumes of passengers daily.
Although Transport Canada has the lead responsibility for national transportation security, other partners play key roles with respect to emergency management, including preparedness and response. The Government of Canada must work together with other levels of government, as well as industry, to create an effective and efficient security system.
On June 16, Prime Minister Harper announced $115 million in initial measures to enhance the security of Canada's passenger rail and urban transit operations. The initial measures are designed to address security priorities that have been identified by the Government of Canada, in collaboration with its partners, to enhance security for passenger rail, public transit and ferry operations through five complementary components.
Announced measures
Transit-Secure - A new passenger rail and urban transit security
contribution program
d public transit operators in six urban areas - Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, the Nat Up to $80 million will be provided over two years to establish a new passenger rail and urban transit security contribution program, targeted towards the high volume passenger areas of commuter rail and public transit, with a focus on major urban transit systems and equipment.
This program will provide financial assistance to commuter rail anional Capital Region and Montreal - to accelerate the implementation of new and enhanced security measures.
Operators of other passenger rail and bus systems will also be eligible for funding to undertake security assessments and develop plans.
Funding will be provided on a cost-shared basis - 75 per cent from the federal government and 25 per cent from the recipient. Passenger rail and transit operators will be required to apply for the funding.
For more information on Transit-Secure, please visit www.tc.gc.ca/vigilance/sep/rail/Contribution_Program/menu.htm.
Enhanced Transport Canada leadership, expertise and coordination
Up to $24 million over five years will be provided to strengthen Transport Canada's capacity to provide passenger rail and urban transit security leadership and expert assistance in the development of security assessments and plans, best practices and guidelines; enhance information sharing networks; strengthen incident tracking and trend analysis; conduct technology research and development programs targeted to high-volume passenger transportation; and coordinate international and intergovernmental efforts on passenger rail and urban transit security.
Eligibility of domestic ferries under Transport Canada's Marine Security Contribution Program Canada's domestic ferry operators, including those that are part of public transit systems, will be eligible to apply for funding under the existing Transport Canada Marine Security Contribution Program to enhance the security of their facilities and vessels. The Marine Security Contribution Program will also be extended for two years, until November 2009. Details of the contribution program elements for domestic ferries are currently under development and will be announced when finalized.
For more information about the Marine Security Contribution Program please visit: www.tc.gc.ca/MarineSecurity/contribution/menu.htm.
Urban transit emergency preparedness exercises
The initial measures include up to $8 million over 4 years to improve the readiness of Canada's urban transit sector to respond to emergencies and to develop effective contingency plans. This funding will allow Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, in cooperation with Transport Canada, to partner with key jurisdictions and stakeholders to carry out complex inter-jurisdictional exercises in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, including table-top, command post and full-scale live exercises. These exercises are essential in preparing officials at all levels of government, as well as infrastructure owner-operators, first responders and law enforcement, for their roles in emergencies.
Public Safety Portfolio Task Force
Up to $3 million will be allocated to Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada to set up a two-year task force, which will work closely with Transport Canada. The Public Safety Portfolio Task Force will work towards enhancing regional and national capacity in critical infrastructure intelligence and enhance ongoing regional risk analysis. Furthermore, it will provide technology support and advice on law enforcement and emergency management and develop local security coordination protocols.
Through close consultation with various levels of government and law enforcement agencies, we will assess intelligence and policing technology needs, identify necessary infrastructure support, strengthen security awareness activities, and increase international engagement on urban transit security issues. This will contribute to strategic, longer-term integrated solutions to rail and urban transit security issues.
For further information: Contacts: Huguette Guilhaumon, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa, (613) 991-0700; Nicole McNeely, 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.
Source: newswire
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