Budget 2001
Enhancing Security for Canadians (2 of 2)

December 10, 2001

For most of our history, we in North America have been fortunate to live in peace, untouched by attack. That has changed.

One of the most significant consequences of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States is a sense of insecurity – both personal and economic. And the key to rebuilding confidence is ensuring that people are safe and that borders are secure, yet open and efficient.

We must also remember that the ultimate goal of terrorists is not to capture us by the force of arms, but by the force of terror. Their goal is to shut us down. And neither this government, nor Canadians, will let them.

Budget 2001 invests $6.5 billion in a comprehensive set of measures designed to keep Canadians safe and terrorists out; to prevent terrorist attacks in Canada and prevent terrorists from using Canada as a staging ground.

Our plan is based on increased resources for intelligence and policing, enhanced screening of arrivals in Canada and better emergency preparedness and support for Canada’s military.

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 over five years towards emergency preparedness and the military. These measures include :

Doubling the capacity of Joint Task Force Two – our elite anti-terrorist unit.

Military funding, including support for our participation in the international war against terrorism.

Enhancing laboratory networks and buying specialized equipment for responding to chemical, biological and nuclear threats.

Improving Canada’s ability to protect critical infrastructure – such as water and energy utilities, as well as transportation and communication systems.

These new resources will have the added effect of improving our ability to respond to other types of emergencies, such as floods and other natural disasters.

Intelligence and Policing

Budget 2001 provides Canada’s intelligence and policing agencies with more than $1.6 billion over the next five years to detect, prosecute and deal with terrorists. This includes:

Approximately $1.2 billion over five years to the RCMP, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and other security-related federal departments to train, equip and deploy more personnel. In particular, CSIS will receive its biggest annual funding increase since its inception.

$76 million over five years to improve coordination among law enforcement, intelligence and national security agencies.

$60 million over five years boost marine security through greater funding for coastal surveillance.

$53 million over five years to strengthen the role of the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) in cutting off terrorist financing.