Security package

In December 2001, the federal government announced a $7.7-billion security package aimed at protecting Canada from terrorism.

• $2.2 billion
  to improve air travel safety (including armed undercover RCMP agents on flights, enhanced security and detection systems in airports, and replacement of cockpit doors on aircraft)
• $1.6 billion
  for intelligence and policing
• $1.6 billion
  for emergency preparedness (i.e. new high-tech bio-suits for response teams, and stockpiles of antibiotics and supplies such as smallpox vaccine and portable hospitals) and to support Canada's military (including participation in the international war on terrorism)
• $1 billion
  for more efficient screening of immigrants and refugees
• $646 million
  to speed up implementation of pre-screening programs for frequent travellers (i.e. introducing state-of-the-art detection equipment)
• $600 million
  to facilitate cross-border trade in all parts of the country

On Oct. 18, 2001, the federal government pledged $11.6 million for initiatives designed to improve the health security of Canadians, which included the purchase of antibiotics, sensors and detection equipment, the enhancement of a Canada-wide laboratory network, and training for front-line emergency response staff.

• $5.62 million
  for antibiotics to treat 100,000 individuals, adding to the antibiotics on hand in the National Emergency Stockpile System to treat 40,000 people
• $2.24 million
  for sensors and detection equipment and to establish a database of information which will provide improved responses to radio-nuclear terrorist incidents
• $2.12 million
  to enhance a Canada-wide network of laboratories and to better equip those labs with the necessary materials to quickly diagnose biological agents
• $1.61 million
  to train front-line emergency response staff, enabling them to better recognize, diagnose and treat suspicious illnesses resulting from a terrorist incident

OCIPEP

The creation of the Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Preparedness was announced on February 5, 2001. It is the primary government agency for ensuring national civil emergency preparedness. In other words, to protect the country's critical infrastructure (energy, utilities, communications, transportation, etc.) in the event of a disaster.

JEPP

The Joint Emergency Preparedness Program was founded in October 1980 and is administered by OCIPEP. The federal government spends about $4.5 million a year on this program.

In addition, in the December 2001 federal budget, $5 million was allocated (for each of the 2001-02 and 2002-03 fiscal years) to enhance community response against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear emergencies.

DFAA

Since 1970, Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements have provided $446 million in financial assistance to provincial and territorial governments to help with the costs of disasters. The DFAA are administered by OCIPEP. Funds are provided as needed on a per capita basis.

CEPR

Health Canada's Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response is the country's central co-ordinating point for public health security issues.

Its responsibilities include developing national emergency response plans, monitoring disease outbreaks, and assessing public health risks during emergencies. It is also the health authority in the federal government when it comes to bio-terrorism, emergency health services and emergency response.

NESS

The National Emergency Stockpile System is a $330-million system that provides emergency medical supplies quickly to provinces and territories when requested. The NESS is managed by the CEPR.

FNERP

The Federal Nuclear Emergency Response Plan was created after the 1979 accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in the U.S. The federal government developed the plan to be used in the event of a similar situation in Canada.

The plan would be implemented if there was an accident at a nuclear facility in Canada or the U.S., an accident involving a nuclear-powered vessel in Canadian water, a nuclear or radioactive device was activated, or a nuclear-powered satellite re-entered the Earth's atmosphere.