The RCMP, which will lead the effort, would not say whether theteam was assembled in response to specific threats, nor did itpinpoint which pieces of infrastructure it will focus on. However,Alberta hosts the vast majority of Canada s oil assets, which haveattracted international criticism and suffered security breaches.The province also has an extensive pipeline network, as well asupgraders and refineries, which protesters also target. Pipelines,for example, have been bombed in British Columbia. The Tories have long stressed the importance of Alberta s oil andgas to the entire Canadian economy, and are now taking measures tohinder critics ability to speak at regulatory hearings and shoreup financial support. By establishing a counter-terrorism team inAlberta, the government is further emphasizing the importance itplaces on the western province and the threats it believes theenergy industry faces.
Indeed, the federal government recently labelled some critics radicals, while the RCMP and the Canadian Security IntelligenceService believe protest groups like Greenpeace and other dissentershave the capability to attack critical infrastructure in Canada.Greenpeace insists it is committed to non-violent protest. The new counterterrorism unit, with offices in Edmonton andCalgary, will be Canada s fifth so-called Integrated NationalSecurity Enforcement Team. Our government has made responsible, effective investments tofight terrorism and protect Canadians, including the creation ofINSETs in major Canadian cities that are responsible for criminalinvestigations involving terrorist activities, Vic Toews,Canada s Public Safety Minister, said in a statement as the RCMPannounced the new effort Wednesday. Sergeant Greg Cox, a media relations officer for the RCMP inOttawa, said there is no indication that the threat level ishigher in Alberta.
However, as in any part of the country, weneed to remain vigilant. The establishment of an INSET in Albertaensures that we have the capacity to address these threats if theyarise. INSETs were established following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in theUnited States. Alberta s INSET was prompted by factors such as agrowing population, a strong economy supported by the province snatural resources and the need to protect criticalinfrastructure, the RCMP said in its statement. Launching Gantry Crane
Public Safety Canada on its website says: Critical infrastructurerefers to processes, systems, facilities, technologies, networks,assets and services essential to the health, safety, security oreconomic well-being of Canadians and the effective functioning ofgovernment ... Disruptions of critical infrastructure could resultin catastrophic loss of life, adverse economic effects andsignificant harm to public confidence. Alberta hosts 400,000 kilometres of pipeline; more than 176,000operating oil and gas wells; eight oil sands mines; five upgraders;and 250 in-situ oil extraction facilities, according to the EnergyResources Conservation Board. The ERCB does not tally refineries. China Tower Cranes
This type of infrastructure is likely what the government had inmind when it established the new INSET, one expert said. It is very much in line with the trend of committing more andmore national security and counter-terrorism resources without acorresponding basis in any kind of particular threats, JeffreyMonaghan, a researcher with the Surveillance Studies Centre atQueen s University, said. I think this has to do with propertycrimes rather than threats to civilians. .. Shipyard Cranes Manufacturer
It really has to dowith economic infrastructure. The energy industry s critics have moved beyond banners andpetitions. Protesters in 2009, for example, caused disruptions atRoyal Dutch Shell PLC s upgrader project in Alberta, as well ashalting activity at a Suncor Energy Inc. mine after intruding onthe properties. Protesters have also bombed and threatenedpipelines in Western Canada.
Alberta s new counterterrorism unit will be composed of speciallytrained members of the RCMP, Edmonton Police Services, CalgaryPolice Services, Canada Border Services Agency and CSIS, theMounties said in a statement Wednesday. INSETs are alreadyestablished in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. More Related to this Story PUBLIC RELATIONS Enbridge ad campaign intensifies pipeline battle Ottawa's environmental-review overhaul hits tough hurdles.
Indeed, the federal government recently labelled some critics radicals, while the RCMP and the Canadian Security IntelligenceService believe protest groups like Greenpeace and other dissentershave the capability to attack critical infrastructure in Canada.Greenpeace insists it is committed to non-violent protest. The new counterterrorism unit, with offices in Edmonton andCalgary, will be Canada s fifth so-called Integrated NationalSecurity Enforcement Team. Our government has made responsible, effective investments tofight terrorism and protect Canadians, including the creation ofINSETs in major Canadian cities that are responsible for criminalinvestigations involving terrorist activities, Vic Toews,Canada s Public Safety Minister, said in a statement as the RCMPannounced the new effort Wednesday. Sergeant Greg Cox, a media relations officer for the RCMP inOttawa, said there is no indication that the threat level ishigher in Alberta.
However, as in any part of the country, weneed to remain vigilant. The establishment of an INSET in Albertaensures that we have the capacity to address these threats if theyarise. INSETs were established following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in theUnited States. Alberta s INSET was prompted by factors such as agrowing population, a strong economy supported by the province snatural resources and the need to protect criticalinfrastructure, the RCMP said in its statement. Launching Gantry Crane
Public Safety Canada on its website says: Critical infrastructurerefers to processes, systems, facilities, technologies, networks,assets and services essential to the health, safety, security oreconomic well-being of Canadians and the effective functioning ofgovernment ... Disruptions of critical infrastructure could resultin catastrophic loss of life, adverse economic effects andsignificant harm to public confidence. Alberta hosts 400,000 kilometres of pipeline; more than 176,000operating oil and gas wells; eight oil sands mines; five upgraders;and 250 in-situ oil extraction facilities, according to the EnergyResources Conservation Board. The ERCB does not tally refineries. China Tower Cranes
This type of infrastructure is likely what the government had inmind when it established the new INSET, one expert said. It is very much in line with the trend of committing more andmore national security and counter-terrorism resources without acorresponding basis in any kind of particular threats, JeffreyMonaghan, a researcher with the Surveillance Studies Centre atQueen s University, said. I think this has to do with propertycrimes rather than threats to civilians. .. Shipyard Cranes Manufacturer
It really has to dowith economic infrastructure. The energy industry s critics have moved beyond banners andpetitions. Protesters in 2009, for example, caused disruptions atRoyal Dutch Shell PLC s upgrader project in Alberta, as well ashalting activity at a Suncor Energy Inc. mine after intruding onthe properties. Protesters have also bombed and threatenedpipelines in Western Canada.
Alberta s new counterterrorism unit will be composed of speciallytrained members of the RCMP, Edmonton Police Services, CalgaryPolice Services, Canada Border Services Agency and CSIS, theMounties said in a statement Wednesday. INSETs are alreadyestablished in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. More Related to this Story PUBLIC RELATIONS Enbridge ad campaign intensifies pipeline battle Ottawa's environmental-review overhaul hits tough hurdles.