A13

James Keller
THE CANADIAN PRESS

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VANCOUVER - Passengers and vehicles boarding BC Ferries' vessels are being screened by bomb-sniffing dogs as the company increases security.

BC Ferries has been using the dogs at its five major ferry terminals for the past six months, said spokeswoman Deborah Marshall.

Marshall said the dogs are among several security measures the company has been implementing ahead of new Transport Canada requirements expected next year.

"BC Ferries has already started making security enhancements in anticipation of the new regulations," said Marshall.

Marshall said BC Ferries has contracted a private security firm to conduct screenings at Duke Point, Departure Bay and Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island, and Horseshoe Bay and Tsawwassen on the mainland.

The dogs haven't found any explosives so far.

Other new security measures include additional closed-circuit cameras, new employee identification cards and more restricted areas at BC Ferries facilities, said Marshall.

She predicted customers will appreciate the heightened security.

"Since 9-11, BC Ferries has been working with the RCMP as well as Transport Canada to step up our security procedures," said Marshall.

"I think in the world we live in today, our customers are quite fine with any new security enhancements, and I think they appreciate them."

Transport Canada is updating its regulations for ferry security, although spokeswoman Maryse Durette said bomb-sniffing dogs won't be specifically required.

"The dogs are an initiative by BC Ferries," said Durette.

"The ferry operators will themselves decide what they want to do. Transport Canada will come with a regulatory framework, and (ferry operators) will apply the framework and choose security measures that best fit their operations."

Ottawa created a $115-million program in 2004 to improve security at marine facilities, including ferries.

Operators can apply for funding for new surveillance equipment, more secure infrastructure, additional security training and better communications technology.

Transport Canada announced in June of this year that all but $5 million had been handed out, and limited the remaining money to domestic ferry services.

BC Ferries has already received several million dollars from the program, and has applied for more in the latest round of funding.

In March 2007, the Senate's security and defence committee released a report that included a recommendation for airport-style security for Canadian ferries.

John Thompson of the Toronto-based MacKenzie Institute said the potential threat to Canada's ferries must be taken seriously.

"They are more vulnerable than people would like to admit," said Thompson.