Canada announces $165 million in increased spending for anti-terrorism measures

By TOM COHEN
Associated Press Writer

TORONTO – Canada will spend $165 million on new anti-terrorism and security measures including increased border security and prevention of passport fraud and other measures, the government announced Wednesday.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Manley, who made the announcement, gave no other details but said the additional spending would be "all security-related and all in the current fiscal year" that ends in six months. Manley heads a special Cabinet committee overseeing security issues.

Prime Minister Jean Chretien's government came under some criticism, particularly from conservative opposition groups, for initial caution in responding to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

This week, though, Canada contributed naval ships, transport planes and special forces fighters to the U.S.-led military campaign, and Manley's announcement was expected to be followed by other moves including a new law against belonging to terrorist groups and tighter screening of refugee claimants.

The anti-terrorism bill, which could reach Parliament on Monday, would make it a crime to be part of terrorist organizations or raise money for them, and give police broader surveillance powers.

Security concerns have increased since Canada joined the military campaign that began attacking targets in Afghanistan on Sunday. Police have increased their visibility in Ottawa, the capital, and air travelers face long lines at airports for thorough checks of all carry-on baggage.

A bomb threat to a business near the U.S.-Canada border and a suspicious vehicle prompted U.S. officials to close two major border crossings in Vermont and New York state on Wednesday.

Vehicles heading toward the ports of entry at Champlain, N.Y., and Highgate, Vt., were being stopped and directed to smaller border crossings, said Craig Jehle, port director in Highgate.

"We're turning everything around north and south. There are plenty of other border crossings," Jehle said.

It was unclear how long the border crossings would remain closed. The New York crossing is a major route between Montreal and New York City, and the Vermont crossing links Montreal with New England.

On Tuesday, a Montreal office building was evacuated because an office received a letter from the Florida company where anthrax killed one worker and was detected in the nose of another.

Officials said it was unlikely the letter from American Media Inc. contained anthrax, a potentially lethal bacteria considered a likely biological weapon for terrorists. It was never opened, further lessening the risk of potential contamination, they said.

Health Minister Allan Rock said health authorities across the country have been put on alert to look for symptoms of possible chemical or biological attacks.

"But let me reassure Canadians that the biggest disease we have to face right now is fear," Rock said Tuesday. "There's no reason for Canadians to regard this as anything but a remote threat."

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