Canada Not Weak on Terrorism, Ridge Says

Critics of our neighbours to the north have complained that Canada's security system is lax, allowing terrorists to slip unnoticed across our shared border. But former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge has spoken out against those critics, and praised the country for its role in border protection.

The Associated Press is reporting that Ridge made the remarks in a speech to business leaders in Toronto last week. "I don't accept the thesis that Canada is lenient or hasn't done what it needs to do to advance their interest and doing their share to combat terrorism," Ridge said in his speech. "The law enforcement and intelligence community collaboration is excellent."

The U.S. northern border along Canada is twice as long as the southern border along Mexico. Washington recently announced changes to the passport rules that would require Americans to have passports to re-enter the US from Canada by 2008, as well as require Canadians to have passports to visit the country.

Canada has spent approximately $8 billion since September 11 to improve security along the 4,000-mile border, and AP says the Canadian government intends to spend another $1 billion in the coming year.

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