Chapter 4.3: Protecting Canadians

Highlights

Defending Canada

• Strengthening the Canadian Armed Forces by providing $11.8 billion over 10 years through an increase to the annual escalator for National Defence’s budget to 3 per cent, starting in 2017–18.
• Providing up to $360.3 million in 2015–16 for the Canadian Armed Forces to extend its mission to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
• Providing $7.1 million in 2015–16 for the Canadian Armed Forces to deliver training assistance to the Ukrainian Security Forces.
• Providing $23 million over four years on a cash basis, starting in 2015–16, to upgrade the physical security of Canadian Armed Forces bases.

Enhancing National Security

• Investing $292.6 million over five years in intelligence and law enforcement agencies for additional investigative resources to counter terrorism.
• Providing $12.5 million over five years, starting in 2015–16, and $2.5 million ongoing thereafter, in additional funding to the Security Intelligence Review Committee to enhance its review of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.
• Providing $58 million over five years, starting in 2015–16, to further protect the Government of Canada’s essential cyber systems and critical infrastructure against cyber attacks.
• Investing $36.4 million over five years to support the operators of Canada’s vital cyber systems in addressing cyber security threats, as required by new legislation.
• Providing $60.4 million over three years on a cash basis to support an enhanced security model on Parliament Hill.

Protecting the Integrity of Our Borders

• Providing $15.7 million over five years to expand eligibility for the Electronic Travel Authorization to low-risk travellers from Brazil, Bulgaria, Mexico and Romania to make it easier and faster for legitimate travellers from these countries to come to Canada. 

Strengthening Community Safety

• Investing $27 million over five years, starting in 2015–16, to enhance security measures at Canada’s federal courts and registry offices and the Supreme Court of Canada.
• Providing $10 million over five years to the City of Ottawa to support policing services in the Nation’s Capital.
• Providing $3 million over two years, starting in 2016–17, to take initial steps to establish a Public Safety Broadband Network, a high-speed mobile network dedicated to emergency management.
• Supporting a memorial for the three Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers killed in Moncton in June 2014.

Introduction

The Government’s foremost responsibility is to ensure the safety and security of Canadians and defend our sovereignty. Canadians want to feel safe and secure in their homes, online and in their communities.

In the past year, Canada has again demonstrated its resolve to stand with our allies. Canada has been at the forefront of the international community’s fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and in providing support to Ukraine. Tragically, Canadians were also reminded by recent events at home that the world can be a dangerous place and that Canada is not immune to the threat of terrorism, cyber attacks and other evils.

Violent Jihadist terrorism is not just a threat elsewhere in the world. It seeks to bring harm to Canada, and to destroy our values of freedom and diversity. The Government does not hesitate to confront this evil.

The Anti-Terrorism Act, 2015, introduced in Parliament on January 30, 2015, will help our law enforcement and national security agencies stop those who promote terrorism, prevent terrorist travel, thwart efforts to use Canada as a recruiting ground for terror and prevent attacks on our soil.

Economic Action Plan 2015 builds on these efforts and proposes further action to better protect Canadians from the threat of terrorism and cyber attacks, maintain the integrity of our borders and the safety of our communities, and support the Canadian Armed Forces as they continue to uphold Canadian interests and values. In addition, the Government will introduce new legislative and regulatory amendments to improve the effectiveness of Canada’s economic sanctions regime.

Defending Canada

The Government is steadfast in its commitment to ensure the safety and security of Canadians and defend our sovereignty. The Government has taken action to rebuild the Canadian Armed Forces into a modern, combat-capable military ready to respond in the defence of Canada both at home and abroad.

The Government will continue the major recapitalization of the Canadian Armed Forces, which has increased Canada’s capacity to participate in overseas missions. Major purchases have included new fleets of C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for strategic airlift, C‑130J Hercules aircraft for transporting equipment and troops, and medium-to-heavy lift Chinook helicopters. Modernized Light Armoured Vehicles and replacement Leopard 2 tanks have also been acquired.

The Government continues to advance the $35 billion National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy, a long-term commitment to generate high-value jobs through the construction of new vessels for the Royal Canadian Navy at Canadian shipyards on both coasts. This year, construction will begin on the Harry DeWolf, the first of the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships, a fleet which will enable the Royal Canadian Navy to better exercise sovereignty in Canadian waters including in the Arctic.

In November 2014, the Government announced an investment of an additional $452 million over two years to maintain and improve infrastructure that supports military operations and addresses the needs of military personnel and their families, including the Reserve Force.

Increasing National Defence Funding

In order to achieve the long-term objectives for the Canadian Armed Forces set out in the Canada First Defence Strategy, the Government has made significant investments since 2006, increasing the budget for National Defence from $14.5 billion in 2005–06 to $20.1 billion in 2014–15, on a cash basis. This includes an increase to the automatic annual escalator for National Defence’s budget from 1.5 per cent to 2 per cent that took effect in 2011–12.

The Government’s commitment to renew and strengthen the Canadian Armed Forces reflects their critical role in protecting Canada’s borders, maintaining sovereignty over our lands including the Arctic, standing with our allies to deter threats to global peace and security, and responding to emergencies within Canada and around the world. The Canadian Armed Forces face multiple demands to protect our interests in the current global environment. It is a priority for the Government to provide our men and women in uniform with the equipment and training that they require.

In order to provide ongoing support for the significant operating and capital requirements of National Defence, Economic Action Plan 2015 proposes to further increase the annual escalator to 3 per cent starting in 2017–18. Over 10 years this will provide National Defence with an additional $11.8 billion, and will help ensure that Canada can continue to field a combat-capable military ready to serve at home and abroad.

Increased funding for National Defence

Chart 4.3.1

Incremental Funding for National Defence: Increasing the Annual Escalator to 3 per cent

Supporting the Deployment of the Canadian Armed Forces to Combat ISIL

From Afghanistan to Libya to Iraq, Canada has effectively contributed to allied operations to deter terrorism and help bring stability to troubled countries and regions. Canada is resolved to stand with our allies against the threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The ongoing deployment of the Canadian Armed Forces as part of the international coalition’s effort to combat ISIL is a measure of the Government’s commitment to counter the terrorist threat that ISIL poses. Canada’s rapid response demonstrates the high degree of flexibility and readiness of the Canadian Armed Forces to respond to threats around the world.

The Government has announced that it will extend the Canadian Armed Forces mission to combat ISIL by 12 months as part of the international coalition’s ongoing efforts. Economic Action Plan 2015 proposes to provide National Defence with up to $360.3 million in new funding for the extension of this mission.

Supporting Our Allies Through Military Training

Canada also remains at the forefront of the international community’s support to Ukraine. NATO allies and other partners continue to reinforce collective defence and demonstrate solidarity in Eastern Europe. Canada has contributed significant military capabilities to the effort, including CF-18 fighters to help patrol allied air space and a Halifax-class frigate to police the maritime region. Economic Action Plan 2015 proposes to provide $7.1 million in 2015–16 in new funding for the Canadian Armed Forces to deliver enhanced training assistance to the Ukrainian Security Forces.

Increasing Security at Canadian Armed Forces Bases

Recent events have demonstrated that Canada must be vigilant in ensuring the safety and security of Canadians, and particularly Canada’s men and women who proudly serve in uniform. Economic Action Plan 2015 proposes to provide $23 million over four years on a cash basis to upgrade the physical security of Canadian Armed Forces bases. This investment will help protect Canadian Armed Forces personnel and military assets.

Enhancing National Security

Economic Action Plan 2015 proposes initiatives to combat the threat of terrorism and better secure government institutions and the vital cyber systems that Canadians rely upon on a daily basis.

Countering Terrorism

Canada is not immune to the threat of terrorism. This was tragically demonstrated by last October’s attacks in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Ottawa. Economic Action Plan 2015 proposes to provide additional resources to counter terrorism to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the Canada Border Services Agency. These funds will provide additional investigative resources to our law enforcement and national security agencies to allow them to keep pace with the evolving threat of terrorism and terrorist financing, in order to continue to protect Canadians.

Enhancing the Review of National Security Agencies

As we empower our law enforcement and national security agencies with the tools they need to better protect Canadians from the threat of terrorism, we must also ensure that these practices are governed by an effective and transparent framework that protects the rights of individual Canadians. For this reason, Economic Action Plan 2015 proposes to provide the Security Intelligence Review Committee with up to $12.5 million over five years, starting in 2015–16, and $2.5 million ongoing thereafter, in additional funding so that it can continue to provide a robust and independent review of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

Enhancing the Security of Government of Canada Networks and Cyber Systems

Since 2010, the Government has shown a strong commitment to cyber security, having released and invested in Canada’s Cyber Security Strategy. A core priority has been protecting the Government’s cyber systems and infrastructure, to defend against significant security breach attempts by cyber attackers who present ongoing threats to Canada and our allies abroad.

To better defend and protect these systems, the Government is taking action by upgrading critical cyber systems, such as Internet network paths and connections that are used on a regular basis to provide services to Canadians. Taking these measures will ensure that the Government is able to continue to detect and repel infiltration attempts on the Government’s cyber systems and identify malicious actors that seek unauthorized access.

Protecting Vital Cyber Systems

Canadians are embracing the many advantages that the Internet offers, but our increasing reliance on cyber technologies makes us more vulnerable to those who would seek to attack and undermine our digital infrastructure and threaten our national security, economic prosperity and way of life.

The Government is taking action to protect the vital cyber systems that Canadians rely on daily and that are critical to national security. Following consultations, new legislation will require operators of vital cyber systems to implement cyber security plans, meet robust security outcomes for their systems and report cyber security incidents to the Government of Canada.

Building on the efforts of individual operators of vital cyber systems to secure their own systems, Economic Action Plan 2015 funding will provide enhanced support to operators through the development and dissemination of cyber security tools, security information and expertise to implement the new legislation.

Improving Security on Parliament Hill

The October 22, 2014 event on Parliament Hill was an attack on the heart of Canadian democracy and the freedom it represents. It highlighted the need for an integrated security force to ensure seamless responses to threats. The Government will bring forward legislative amendments to implement this integrated security force. Economic Action Plan 2015 proposes to provide the necessary resources to support security on Parliament Hill as an enhanced security model is put in place. The new model will provide protection for visitors, parliamentarians and staff, while seeking to maintain access to Parliament for all Canadians.

Improving Canada’s Economic Sanctions

In fulfilling its foreign policy objectives and meeting its international obligations, Canada has implemented various economic sanctions measures. These include financial sanctions targeting countries, entities and individuals designated by the United Nations Security Council, as well as sanctions that Canada has unilaterally imposed against entities identified as posing a threat to its citizens and interests. The obligations related to targeted financial sanctions, for example the seizure or freezing of assets, are set out in regulations and apply to all Canadians.

In keeping with a commitment made in Economic Action Plan 2014, the Government will introduce new legislative and regulatory amendments to improve the effectiveness of Canada’s economic sanctions regime, consistent with Canada’s objectives of safeguarding the integrity of the international financial system, as well as the safety and security of Canadians.

Protecting the Privacy of Personal Information

The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) establishes basic legal requirements that private sector organizations must respect so that Canadians trust that their privacy will be protected when personal information is in the hands of businesses. While PIPEDA provides clear rules for organizations in the context of commercial activity, it does not currently apply to organizations such as the World Anti-Doping Agency, an international, independent organization headquartered in Montreal.

Economic Action Plan 2015 proposes to clarify through legislative and regulatory amendments that Canada’s privacy protection laws extend to organizations such as the World Anti-Doping Agency, thereby helping to ensure that all personal information they hold in Canada is adequately protected.

Protecting the Integrity of Our Borders

Protecting the integrity of our borders is essential to keeping Canadians safe and secure, while facilitating economic activity. Economic Action Plan 2013 announced a number of initiatives under the Beyond the Border Action Plan to address threats as early as possible and expedite the flow of legitimate goods and people. Through Economic Action Plan 2015, the Government is continuing to take steps to achieve that balance while facilitating genuine travel to Canada.

Economic Action Plan 2014 highlighted the importance of biometric immigration screening as an effective means to combat identity fraud and abuse of Canada’s immigration system, including helping to identify known criminals before they enter Canada. This type of screening is now the norm worldwide, with over 70 countries using this method to screen travellers. To further improve the security and integrity of Canada’s immigration system, Economic Action Plan 2015 proposes to expand the use of biometric screening to verify the identity of all visa-required travellers seeking entry to Canada. Legislative amendments will be introduced to support this proposal. By helping to prevent inadmissible individuals from entering the country, expanding biometric screening will help facilitate legitimate travel to Canada while protecting the safety and security of Canadians.

Facilitating Legitimate Travel to Canada

Facilitating legitimate travel to Canada supports the Government’s economic agenda by boosting trade and supporting economic growth. The Government is committed to attracting an increasing number of genuine visitors, students and business people to Canada, while ensuring the safety and security of Canadians. That is why the Government is proposing to expand eligibility for the Electronic Travel Authorization announced under the Beyond the Border Action Plan to low-risk travellers from Brazil, Bulgaria, Mexico and Romania. The Government will introduce legislative amendments to support this proposal. This approach will allow the Government of Canada to better tailor screening requirements to the risks posed by individual travellers, making it easier and faster for low-risk travellers to come to Canada. This will help make Canada a more attractive destination for tourism and business, while allowing the Government to focus resources where it matters most—on higher-risk travellers.

Strengthening Community Safety

Economic Action Plan 2015 reinforces the Government’s commitment to ensure that Canadian communities are safe. All Canadians—including the victims of crime, their families and those who serve Canada’s justice system—need to be assured that Canada’s courts are safe and functioning efficiently. To this end, Economic Action Plan 2015 proposes new funding for enhanced security measures at federal courts and courts administration buildings across Canada. Economic Action Plan 2015 also proposes new funding to support the safety of Canadians by investing in the development of a high-speed mobile public safety network to enhance Canada’s emergency management system. The Government will also bring forward legislative amendments to ensure it has fully delivered on the commitment to end the Long‑gun registry.

Economic Action Plan 2015 also proposes to support policing services in the Nation’s Capital. Finally, Economic Action Plan 2015 recognizes the sacrifices of the three Royal Canadian Mounted Police Constables who gave their lives to protect the community of Moncton, New Brunswick.

Enhancing Court Security

To ensure Canada’s judicial system continues to function optimally, judges, litigants, lawyers and the public must be safe and secure. That is why the Government is proposing to invest in key enhancements in physical and IT security at federal courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada, registry offices and administrative buildings across Canada.

Physical security enhancements such as additional cameras, security personnel and screening tools will help ensure federal courts remain secure and function properly. IT enhancements will help guard against security breaches and allow the courts to continue to protect judicial confidentiality, personal privacy or sensitive commercial information in its possession.

Improving Public Safety Communications

Communication tools used by fire, police and ambulance services in Canada limit their ability to exchange information with one another and communicate across jurisdictions during an emergency. The Government is committed to working with provinces, territories, municipalities and the public safety community so that first responders have access to the latest communication technologies.

The Government has already allocated 10 megahertz (MHz) of the highly valued 700 MHz broadband spectrum for public safety communications. The Government will allocate another 10 MHz of the 700 MHz spectrum to enable the creation of a Public Safety Broadband Network, a high-speed mobile network dedicated to emergency management. The Government will also provide $3 million over two years, starting in 2016–17, to take initial steps to establish the network. This investment will improve collaboration among public safety agencies to help save lives and keep our communities safe.

Supporting the Ottawa Police Service

The unique policing environment created by the presence of federal landmarks and institutions of national significance in the Nation’s Capital lead to increased security costs for the Ottawa Police Service. In recognition of these exceptional circumstances, Economic Action Plan 2015 proposes to provide $10 million over five years to the City of Ottawa in support of policing services.

Memorial for Three Moncton Royal Canadian Mounted Police Officers

The Government will continue to work with the Province of New Brunswick and the City of Moncton to fund a memorial that recognizes the sacrifices of Royal Canadian Mounted Police Constables David Ross, Fabrice Gevaudan and Douglas Larche, who gave their lives to protect their community.

Enhancing the Motor Vehicle Safety Act

The Government is committed to the safety of Canadian vehicles on our roads. The Motor Vehicle Safety Act establishes minimum safety performance standards for vehicles on Canadian roads. While the Act provides the Minister of Transport with enforcement tools to ensure compliance with its provisions, the Minister currently does not have the authority to order a recall when a manufacturer does not voluntarily initiate one in the event of a safety defect.

To that end, the Government will introduce amendments to the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Amendments will provide the Minister of Transport with the power to order a recall, and to levy monetary penalties in the event of non-compliance with the Act. Additional amendments will be made to strengthen the current legislative and regulatory vehicle safety regime.