Business Leaders Support National Security Policy

April 27, 2004

The following are comments by Thomas d’Aquino, President and Chief Executive of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, on the national security strategy announced today by the federal government:

“Canada’s business leaders have long argued that economic and physical security go hand in hand, and the war on terrorism is a battle to preserve both democratic values and the open markets that are essential to the prosperity of Canadians.  The national security policy unveiled today by Prime Minister Paul Martin represents an important step forward in meeting this challenge.

“The security strategy reassures Canadians of the integrity of our own borders, increases Canada’s credibility as an effective partner in the defence of North America and promises to reinvigorate our country’s ability to contribute to peace and security worldwide.

“Many of the measures announced today are consistent with the recommendations of the discussion paper released by the Council earlier this month, New Frontiers: Building a 21st Century Canada-United States Partnership in North America.  These include: improving coordination among governments and agencies; protecting critical infrastructure and public health; increasing surveillance of Canada’s maritime approaches; expanding the use of biometric identification; and developing more flexible and capable armed forces.”

The New Frontiers discussion paper was published in April 2004 as part of the CCCE’s North American Security and Prosperity Initiative.  Its recommendations are based on five pillars: reinventing borders, regulatory efficiency, resource security, the North American defence alliance and development of new institutions.