Hansard A Best Seller? -- Port Security, the Reality and the Perception
More Paperwork and Re-shuffling Bodies Temporarily?
Read the bafflegab answers; then ask yourself, what Hon. Tony Valeri (Minister of Transport, Lib.) actually SAID / PROMISED / DID / ADDED TO PUT BODIES AT THE PORTS FROM THE RCMP. Did he make port security any better? Any clearer to you? Do you feel any safer? No? Thought so.
This is all talk, no action, no hiring, (just reshuffled temporarily to leave the perception that something is being done) and yet, there is not much time left.
Mr. Kevin Sorenson (Crowfoot, CPC): Mr. Speaker, rather than close all security gaps, as recommended by the Auditor General in her report, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness has in effect created a system of two tier security at our marine ports. The RCMP national ports enforcement teams will only be established at the three major ports.
Why is the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness failing to provide the same level of security at all our marine ports?
Hon. Tony Valeri (Minister of Transport, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada's six-point plan to strengthen marine security in fact illustrates our continued commitment to better detect, assess and respond to marine threats. This is working toward a North American solution on security which will ensure that our Canadian ports remain competitive with our U.S. neighbours.
As I said last week, in the coming days I will have the opportunity to announce a contribution plan [. . . . ]
Mr. Kevin Sorenson (Crowfoot, CPC): Mr. Speaker, the Canadian public wants to see more than six-point plans. They want to see action and we have not seen action from the government.
Without the same level of security at all ports, terrorists and organized crime will target the port of least resistance. Second class ports, those without the RCMP, will be their chosen port of entry. Not just some, but all marine ports must have RCMP presence.
Will the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness ensure that the RCMP national ports enforcement teams are established at all major marine ports?
Hon. Tony Valeri (Minister of Transport, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, on July 1 there is an international standard that we are expected to meet. We have gone further and have created a North American standard . . . . I will continue to work with the stakeholders . . . . We will announce a contribution plan in order to assist port authorities and facilities in meeting that international standard.
