Tory budget slated to reflect party’s anti-terrorism agenda

OTTAWA— The federal Conservatives plan to use the coming federal budget to underscore their pre-election messaging on the importance of national security.

The budget due Tuesday is expected to earmark resources to help security agencies carry out enhanced responsibilities under new anti-terrorism legislation, sources tell The Canadian Press.

Bill C-51, currently before the Senate, would give the Canadian Security Intelligence Service more power to thwart a suspect’s travel plans, disrupt bank transactions and covertly interfere with radical websites.

The legislation would also make it easier for the RCMP to obtain a peace bond to restrict the movements of suspects and extend the amount of time they can be kept in preventative detention.

Concerns about the threat of homegrown extremism have prompted the RCMP to shift more than 600 officers to the terrorism file from organized crime and other areas.

“We have enough people who are working these cases, but they’re not doing what they’re supposed to be doing,” RCMP commissioner Bob Paulson told a House of Commons committee last month.

That has prompted vocal criticism from opposition public safety critics who say the Mounties are being stretched too thin.

At the same time, the federal government continues to roll out new aspects of its highly touted perimeter security arrangement with the United States — elements of which require investments in informationtechnology and modern facilities.

The Canada Border Services Agency already plans to invest $99 million over five years to improve buildings as well as upgrade technology to help officers record more traveller information.