Canada to boost security on major transit systems

OTTAWA, Nov 14 (Reuters) Canada will boost security on major public transit systems in a bid to prevent bloody attacks of the kind that rocked London last year, Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon said today.

He said Ottawa would spend up to 37 million Canadian dollar (32 million dollar) on the country's six busiest urban transit systems -- Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.

The money will cover the cost of high priority projects such as upgrading security equipment as well as drawing up new security plans and employee training programs.

''Canada is not immune to the threat of terrorism. We must remain vigilant and continue to work with our partners in government and industry to address transit security issues,'' Cannon said in a statement.

Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda group has identified Canada as a target for possible attack several times.

In July 2005, four Muslim suicide bombers killed 52 commuters on three subway trains and a bus in London.

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