Canada announces $2 million in regional rail security grants

More details from Canada’s C$80 million rail and urban transit security effort. Known as Transit-Secure, the two year program provides direct assistance to passenger rail and urban transit operators across the country. In the first round, $37 million in funding was awarded to operators in the six largest urban areas in Canada - Montreal, the National Capital Region, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver. The recently-announced second round is more modest, with $2 million being distributed to Canadian regions further afield. “The funding announced today will help smaller operators, along with inter-city rail and bus companies, develop the building blocks that will help them further enhance their systems,” said Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon, noting that the money will be used for the development of risk assessments and security plans.

The winners include[/url]: one operator in Nova Scotia will receive up to C$180,000; one operator in Quebec will receive up to C$187,500; eight operators in Ontario will receive up to C$967,500; one operator in Manitoba will receive up to C$99,750; two operators in Saskatchewan will receive up to C$105,000; two operators in Alberta will receive up to C$86,250; and one operator in British Columbia will receive up to C$300,000. Funding is provided on a cost-shared basis, with 75 percent from the federal government and 25 percent from the recipient.