FREDERICTON, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwire - March 12, 2013) - The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Minister for the Atlantic Gateway and Regional Minister for New Brunswick, on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today announced that the Government of Canada is investing approximately $1.2 million in two innovative science and technology projects to enhance Canadian public safety and security. These are two of 26 projects announced as part of a $20 million investment under the Canadian Safety and Security Program.

The Canadian Safety and Security Program will contribute approximately $800,000 to a project, which will be led by the New Brunswick Department of Public Safety, to develop a Canadian critical infrastructure supply chain risk management framework with project partners the Conference Board of Canada, Dalhousie University and Deep Logic Solutions.

The Canadian Safety and Security Program will contribute approximately $358,000 to another project led by the New Brunswick Department of Public Safety, to develop and implement a process, protocol and tools for sharing classified and/or sensitive information to prevent, protect and respond to security events, as well as other hazards involving critical infrastructure with partners Dalhousie University, Gowlings and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

"Our government is investing resources to ensure Canadian institutions are better prepared and have a greater resilience to public safety and security threats, both here at home and around the world," said Minister MacKay. "These projects bring together the best minds from government, industry and academia, nationally and internationally, to support the development of knowledge, tools, processes, advice and strategies that are essential for safeguarding Canada."

"The Department of Public Safety is proud to partner with the Department of National Defence and Defence Research and Development Canada to support projects that will have the strongest impact on issues of concern for public safety," said the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety. "By investing in projects and activities that respond to Canadian public safety and security priorities, we are building a more resilient Canada."

"Investments such as these help to ensure that Canada remains a global leader in innovation, science and technology, and will further strengthen our ability to anticipate, mitigate and respond to acts of terrorism, crime, natural disasters and serious accidents," said Minister Ashfield. "It is through investments such as these that our government also continues to contribute to the growth of Canadian industry across Canada."

The Canadian Safety and Security Program is led by Defence Research and Development Canada's Centre for Security Science.

Defence Research and Development Canada is the national leader in defence and security science and technology. As an agency of Canada's Department of National Defence, Defence Research and Development Canada provides the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces and other government departments, as well as public safety and national security communities, with the knowledge and technology advantage needed to defend and protect Canada's interests at home and abroad.

For more information, visit www.drdc-rddc.gc.ca and http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/news-nouvelles-eng.asp?id=4680.