Alleged terror plot in Britain won't prompt tougher laws here: Day

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Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon said airlines and airports have been placed on heightened vigilance and told to increase surveillance.

"Some of these measures will be visible, some will not be."

The most noticeable steps will be a ban on liquids or gels in carry-on bags, a requirement to have shoes X-rayed before flights to the United States and an end to the sale of bottled or canned drinks in secure areas at airports.

The RCMP is also expected to beef up its air marshal program, placing security officers on planes bound to Canada from Britain. Until now, the marshals had travelled only on flights bound for New York or Washington.

These measures will be in effect for at least three days, but could be extended indefinitely.

"At this point, it's too early to say," said a senior official.

Cannon was asked if there were plans to ban electronic devices from plane cabins, since they might be used as part of a detonator.

"We are monitoring the situation on an hour-to-hour basis," he said. "Nothing is fixed in cement at this point."

John Thompson of the Mackenzie Institute, a Toronto-based non-profit group which does research and commentary on terrorism and political instability, likened the government reaction to what happened after an al-Qaida-inspired terrorist tried to set off a shoe bomb aboard an American-bound airliner.

"How many times have you had to take your shoes off at the airport?"

He said the terrorism seesaws between new techniques and better detection measures.

"This is just the latest step," he said. "Here's the newest tactic that we have to counteract."

Day said he learned of the plot late Wednesday and immediately contacted his counterparts in the U.S. and Britain. Canadian police and security agencies were in contact with their opposite numbers abroad.

Government officials worked through the night to develop a reaction plan. By early morning, passengers bound for Britain and the United States were stripped of carry-on liquids and gels - from hand cream to toothpaste. By noon, the ban was applied to all flights, foreign and domestic.

Baby formula and prescription medicines are exempt.

Day said the effort is co-operative.

"Canadian law enforcement and national security agencies have worked and will continue to work with their counterparts in the UK and the United states to protect the safety and security of our citizens."

The plot came to light when British police said they thwarted a plot to plant bombs in carry-on luggage on up to 10 flights bound for the United States.

Day said the foiled plot is a reminder that terrorists are still a threat, even to Canada.

"That is a continuing reality in which we live," he said.

"Canada is not immune to the threat of terrorism. Canada has been on a list articulated by Osama Bin Laden a number of years ago."

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