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Courtesy of CTV.CA
New security agency launched in port of Halifax
New security agency launched in port of Halifax
CTV.ca News Staff
A new national security agency has launched operations in Halifax, involving six Canadian departments and agencies and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Previously, only Canadian military personnel had access to the facility that monitored every ship traveling through the Canada Atlantic waters or scheduled to enter Canada. It would keep an eye on about 500 ships a day.
Now the RCMP, Coast Guard Search and Rescue, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Border Security Agency are involved in what was formerly and exclusively a Navy operation.
The interagency Marine Security Operations Centres (MSOCs) was established a year ago by the federal government, as part of an overhaul of national security policy. The team is expected to work with the U.S. Coast Guard as well.
The centre began operation in January, and while the mandates of the individual agencies haven't changed, they will be working together in one place.
When an emergency arises, the response is determined by the responsible agency. However, according to a story on the National Defence website, a contingency plan is in place to prevent any possible inter-agency squabbling:
"In the event of any arising crisis, operational control of all necessary government fleet vessels and assets will be transferred to DND, through the Navy, ensuring that there is no delay in government reaction to potential or ongoing marine crises."
The government plans to spend $95 million on this and a similar facility in Esquimalt, B.C. over the next five years.
New security agency launched in port of Halifax
New security agency launched in port of Halifax
CTV.ca News Staff
A new national security agency has launched operations in Halifax, involving six Canadian departments and agencies and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Previously, only Canadian military personnel had access to the facility that monitored every ship traveling through the Canada Atlantic waters or scheduled to enter Canada. It would keep an eye on about 500 ships a day.
Now the RCMP, Coast Guard Search and Rescue, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Border Security Agency are involved in what was formerly and exclusively a Navy operation.
The interagency Marine Security Operations Centres (MSOCs) was established a year ago by the federal government, as part of an overhaul of national security policy. The team is expected to work with the U.S. Coast Guard as well.
The centre began operation in January, and while the mandates of the individual agencies haven't changed, they will be working together in one place.
When an emergency arises, the response is determined by the responsible agency. However, according to a story on the National Defence website, a contingency plan is in place to prevent any possible inter-agency squabbling:
"In the event of any arising crisis, operational control of all necessary government fleet vessels and assets will be transferred to DND, through the Navy, ensuring that there is no delay in government reaction to potential or ongoing marine crises."
The government plans to spend $95 million on this and a similar facility in Esquimalt, B.C. over the next five years.
