W
wyliepoon
Guest
From the National Post:
Link to article
Toronto subway most likely target of terrorist attack: federal survey
Jim Bronskill
Canadian Press
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
OTTAWA -- Canadians believe a terrorist attack on their country is unlikely but feel if one did happen, the Toronto subway is the most probable target.
That's the picture painted by a federal focus-group study of views in several major cities on the prospects of a 9/11-style assault. Overall, Canadians interviewed during the sessions felt an attack was "highly unlikely" given the proximity of other, more attractive targets - namely the United States.
Estimates ranged from a one per cent to a 25 per cent possibility of terrorist action against Canada in the next few years, says the study prepared for the Transport Department by Ekos Research Associates.
"For many, Toronto's size, international profile and economic and financial importance to Canada made it the most probable target, especially by participants from this city."
Public transportation systems, particularly subways, figured as a potential target because they would be easy to attack and such a crime would succeed in spreading mass fear.
The focus groups were convened early last fall, only months after terrorists bombed the London transit system.
The study found the perceived likelihood of attack is linked closely to Canadian foreign policy and the extent to which Ottawa supports the military efforts of the United States.
"For example, many expressed concern that Canada's active support of U.S. operations in Afghanistan could increase the likelihood of Canada being targeted."
Said one participant: "We're killing people over there. I'm sure that's elevated us a few notches on the target list."
Ekos conducted 18 focus-group discussions: two each in Calgary, Halifax and Quebec City, and four each in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
Participants were "involved Canadians" - people who regularly read newspapers and have at least a high school education and income of $40,000 or more.
In Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, Ekos spoke with people who used public transit at least five times a week.
Participants saw commuter transit systems as a much easier target than airplanes. "They would just have to carry a bomb in on a backpack," said one person.
In late November, the government promised $110 million over three years to improve security for Canada's major mass-transit systems.
Support among focus-group participants for placing more surveillance cameras in public transit was moderate to high.
The attacks in recent years on commuter systems in London and Madrid serve as reminders that transportation networks are potential targets, and the government must take action to protect Canadians, Transport Canada spokeswoman Vanessa Vermette said in an e-mail message.
Many focus-group participants expected terrorist targets would be chosen for their symbolic importance to Canada, prompting some to mention Toronto's CN Tower, the Parliament Buildings and U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, and the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
Others focused on targets that would prove financially crippling such as the Toronto Stock Exchange or Alberta's oil fields.
Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network has repeatedly singled out Canada as a candidate for attack.
Wesley Wark, a University of Toronto history professor, said the country must prepare for the possibility.
But he believes al-Qaida has "bigger fish to fry" than simply striking back at Canada for sending troops to Kandahar.
"To the extent that Canada might be targeted, it'll be targeted in the context of a wider war against the United States," said Wark, who serves on a federal advisory council on national security.
"And our being in Afghanistan, I don't think changes the equation at all."
With the exception of increased security at airports, overall awareness of the security measures the government has taken since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington was very low.
"While there is a general view that government is achieving balance between security, rights, cost and convenience, this is based mainly on assumptions as opposed to knowledge," the study says.
"There are concerns that some of the security measures that have been implemented constitute an overreaction that is motivated by 'paranoia'."
Link to article
Toronto subway most likely target of terrorist attack: federal survey
Jim Bronskill
Canadian Press
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
OTTAWA -- Canadians believe a terrorist attack on their country is unlikely but feel if one did happen, the Toronto subway is the most probable target.
That's the picture painted by a federal focus-group study of views in several major cities on the prospects of a 9/11-style assault. Overall, Canadians interviewed during the sessions felt an attack was "highly unlikely" given the proximity of other, more attractive targets - namely the United States.
Estimates ranged from a one per cent to a 25 per cent possibility of terrorist action against Canada in the next few years, says the study prepared for the Transport Department by Ekos Research Associates.
"For many, Toronto's size, international profile and economic and financial importance to Canada made it the most probable target, especially by participants from this city."
Public transportation systems, particularly subways, figured as a potential target because they would be easy to attack and such a crime would succeed in spreading mass fear.
The focus groups were convened early last fall, only months after terrorists bombed the London transit system.
The study found the perceived likelihood of attack is linked closely to Canadian foreign policy and the extent to which Ottawa supports the military efforts of the United States.
"For example, many expressed concern that Canada's active support of U.S. operations in Afghanistan could increase the likelihood of Canada being targeted."
Said one participant: "We're killing people over there. I'm sure that's elevated us a few notches on the target list."
Ekos conducted 18 focus-group discussions: two each in Calgary, Halifax and Quebec City, and four each in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
Participants were "involved Canadians" - people who regularly read newspapers and have at least a high school education and income of $40,000 or more.
In Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, Ekos spoke with people who used public transit at least five times a week.
Participants saw commuter transit systems as a much easier target than airplanes. "They would just have to carry a bomb in on a backpack," said one person.
In late November, the government promised $110 million over three years to improve security for Canada's major mass-transit systems.
Support among focus-group participants for placing more surveillance cameras in public transit was moderate to high.
The attacks in recent years on commuter systems in London and Madrid serve as reminders that transportation networks are potential targets, and the government must take action to protect Canadians, Transport Canada spokeswoman Vanessa Vermette said in an e-mail message.
Many focus-group participants expected terrorist targets would be chosen for their symbolic importance to Canada, prompting some to mention Toronto's CN Tower, the Parliament Buildings and U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, and the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
Others focused on targets that would prove financially crippling such as the Toronto Stock Exchange or Alberta's oil fields.
Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network has repeatedly singled out Canada as a candidate for attack.
Wesley Wark, a University of Toronto history professor, said the country must prepare for the possibility.
But he believes al-Qaida has "bigger fish to fry" than simply striking back at Canada for sending troops to Kandahar.
"To the extent that Canada might be targeted, it'll be targeted in the context of a wider war against the United States," said Wark, who serves on a federal advisory council on national security.
"And our being in Afghanistan, I don't think changes the equation at all."
With the exception of increased security at airports, overall awareness of the security measures the government has taken since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington was very low.
"While there is a general view that government is achieving balance between security, rights, cost and convenience, this is based mainly on assumptions as opposed to knowledge," the study says.
"There are concerns that some of the security measures that have been implemented constitute an overreaction that is motivated by 'paranoia'."
