Canada needs to do a lot more to protect its ports from terrorist threats according to a survey of Canadian CEOs by COMPAS. Three quarters of respondents said that lax port security has made this country vulnerable to attacks using atomic, bacteriological or chemical weapons. Overwhelming majorities of the business panel believe that security concerns should be treated at least as seriously as those about the environment, and support re-establishing the national port police and using radiation detectors to inspect cargo.

While sharing a common concern about Canadian vulnerability, panellists divide on the Dubai ports deal that aroused controversy in the U.S. UAE’s government-owned corporation, Dubai Ports World, would assume administrative responsibility for five U.S. ports along with part of the port of Vancouver. The White House staunchly backs the deal as do some Republicans in Congress while Democrats are resolutely opposed. The COMPAS panel of Canadian CEOs and business leaders polarizes on the issue:

• 47% (29% strongly) agree with the statement that “it is risky to allow an Arab country any port control…” while 29% disagree (11% strongly), and
  
• 35% (17% strongly) believe that cancelling the deal would foolishly discourage investment while 40% (18% strongly) disagree.
  

These are the key findings from this week’s web survey of the COMPAS panel of business leaders and CEOs conducted on behalf the National Post under sponsorship of BDO Dunwoody LLP.

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