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Harper budget claims $29-million for SPP spending but figure over 5 times higher

February 28, 2008
Posted by Brent Patterson

There is not a lot of detail available as to how the Harper government will spend $29 million on the Security and Prosperity Partnership, but that’s what it says it will spend in the 2008 Conservative budget, which was tabled this week in the House of Commons.

According to the budget, the money will go to the following SPP priorities:

• Greater efficiency at the Canada-U.S. border through better cross-border communication systems and improved wait-time information.
• The future elimination of duplicate baggage screening on connecting flights in North America.
• Increased regulatory cooperation on projects in the chemical, automotive and transportation sectors.
• Greater protection of the North American food supply through vulnerability assessments.
• Improved trilateral cooperation on energy research and achieving compatibility of energy efficiency standards for key consumer products.

“These investments will address consumer needs, increase business competitiveness and enhance North American security,” says the budget report. “They will be sourced from the Security and Prosperity Partnership allocation made in Budget 2006.”

Undoubtedly many more millions of dollars are being spent on the SPP this year, including, “providing $14 million over two years to expand the joint Canada-United States NEXUS program for low-risk frequent travelers across the border.” 

The exact figures were outlined in the 2008 federal budget under the heading “Improving Canada’s Borders” and include: 

• Committing $75 million over two years to ensure the Canada Border Services Agency has the resources it needs to effectively manage the border.
• Introducing a higher-security electronic passport by 2011.
• Doubling the validity period of Canadian passports to 10 years when this electronic passport is launched.
• Providing $14 million over two years to expand the joint Canada-United States NEXUS program for low-risk frequent travellers across the border.
• Providing $6 million over two years for federal activities to support provinces and territories planning to introduce enhanced driver’s licences.
• Allocating $26 million over two years to introduce the use of biometric data into visas issued to foreign nationals entering Canada.
• Providing $15 million over two years to establish a permanent facility to enhance the security of the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway region.
• Allocating $29 million over two years to meet priorities under the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America. 

That brings to $165 million the actual total being spent on the SPP considering that all of the above, including the enhanced passports, are SPP initiatives.

In response to the Harper government's budget, Liberal leader Stephane Dion said, "Under the circumstances, I don't see enough in this budget that would justify that we precipitate an election that Canadians do not want for now." In August 2007 the Liberals promised to introduce a resolution in the House calling for greater transparency on SPP negotiations. They have yet to submit the resolution.