Canadian Prime Minister Tightens Air Security

Air travellers will have their baggage more thoroughly screened and security at marine ports will be tightened up as part of a $250-million package of transit security improvements unveiled yesterday by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The money, part of the $1.4-billion for security announced in last month's federal budget, will serve to ensure Canadian travellers are better protected from the perils of terrorism, Harper told a news conference at a Toronto airport cargo bay.

"This is how the fight against terrorism will be won . . .plugging the holes, filling the gaps," he said.

The money will be spent on improved cargo and passenger screening, as well as on security measures for commuter train and city transit systems, said Harper.

Security measures will continue to be revised to ensure systems and protocols are modern and effective, he added.

Harper also said the government is considering the possibility of requiring air marshals on selected flights, much like the United States did in the wake of 9-11.

Terrorism has been front and centre on the minds of Canadians following the arrest of 17 suspected terrorists in Toronto earlier this month.

Harper admitted it was no accident that yesterday's news conference took place in Toronto, which has been living with a heightened sense of concern ever since the arrests occurred two weeks ago.

"We're giving (the measures) more attention, and they're obviously more newsworthy for the average person because of the recent arrests," he said.

Ross called security at the country's marine ports "nominal" at best, saying a large number of cargo containers from large vessels are going unchecked, as are items headed aboard passenger ferries and cruise ships.

"We're wide open," said Ross, a political science professor at Simon Fraser University who specializes in national security issues.

"It's a disaster waiting to happen. If a small truck gets on the bottom level of the ferry with a load of fertilizer explosive in it, it'll blow a huge hole in the boat and that's that."

Steve Shaw, vice-president corporate affairs at the Greater Toronto Airport Authority, was more positive, pointing to constantly evolving technology.

"Security is something that you keep working at," he said. "Always there's ways to improve . . . (and) money is important."

The Canadian Press