Canada funds $20m for new projects to enhance public safety and security

The Canadian Government has funded approximately $20m for innovative science and technology projects to enhance public safety and security, Canadian National (DND) defence minister Peter MacKay has revealed.

The projects are aimed to bolster Canada’s ability to foresee, prevent, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism, crime, natural disasters, and serious accidents.

MacKay said, "These projects bring together the best minds from government, industry and academia, nationally and internationally, to support the development of knowledge, tools, processes, advice and strategies that are essential for safeguarding Canada."

About 26 private sector, academic and government projects have participated in the proposals issued in September 2012.

In accordance with public safety and security priorities, around 16 different federal, provincial, territorial and municipal organisations across the country will lead the projects.

The projects are funded under the Canadian Safety and Security programme which is led by Defence Research and Development Canada’s Centre for Security Science.

Public Safety minister Vic Toews said the projects will have the strongest impact on issues of concern for public safety and which respond to Canadian public safety and security priorities.

The Defence Research and Development Canada provides DND with requisite skills required to defend and protect national interests for the Canadian Armed Forces and other government departments as well as the public safety and national security communities.