Science and Technology Cooperation

The tenth goal of the Security Agenda under the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America is to identify, develop and deploy new technologies to advance security for Canada and North America. An initial and important accomplishment under the goal has been to establish a joint research and development program for security-related science and technology, based on priorities established through a coordinated risk assessment.

The Centre for Security Science leads Canada's collaboration with the US Department of Homeland Security to address this goal. The two head their countries' scientific efforts under the Public Security Technical Program, a joint program in security-related research and development. The partners have established priorities for investment and collaboration and plan to approve and implement cooperative projects that address technology gaps in border security, bio-security, critical infrastructure protection and counter-terrorism.

Science and technology cooperation is focused in:

• Capabilities to prevent, prepare for and respond to chemical, biological, radiological/nuclear and explosive threats.
• The protection of critical infrastructure, which, if disrupted or destroyed, would have a serious impact on the countries.
• Disruption and interdiction of terrorist or criminal activities pertaining to border and transportation security.
• The performance, integration and interoperability of national and international public security, emergency management capabilities and supporting systems, through systems integration, standards and analysis.

The Centre for Security Science is a joint initiative of Defence R&D Canada, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada and 19 other Canadian government departments and agencies.