VANCOUVER - The security budget for the 2010 Winter Olympics will come in at less than a billion dollars, says the top cop for the Games.
But the exact dollar figure can only be released by the government, RCMP Assistant Commissioner Bud Mercer said during an exclusive interview with The Canadian Press.
"I can't give you (the budget) and I'm not being secretive, and I'm not being trite," he said.
"I can't provide that number until the provincial and federal governments have come to terms. It would be completely inappropriate on my part."
He added: "I would say a billion is high. I won't comment any higher, any more on that."
The original security budget for the Games was $175 million but upon taking office in the fall of 2007, Mercer admitted it was far too low and that he had submitted revised numbers to the federal government.
Since then, both governments have been cost-sharing and according to the Public Safety Ministry, a revised agreement is now in the hands of the province.
"Security will not be compromised for financial reasons," said an e-mailed statement from the ministry.
The billion dollar ceiling was floated by former Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day, who said in the fall that the budget was at least double the original figure, but less than $1 billion.
Mercer said while negotiations are ongoing, it's not hampering plans.
"We know where the north star is, we know where we have to be day in and day out," he said.
The Integrated Security Unit in charge of the Games is led by the RCMP, but also includes municipal police departments, the military, border services officials and private security.
Mercer wouldn't give any specifics on security plans or the number of personnel who will police the Games, though 12,000 has been one reported estimate.
Up to 4,000 will be Canadian soldiers, Lt.-Gen. Andrew Leslie told The Canadian Press, stretching the military's resources as they continue the war in Afghanistan.
"It's going to be tough but we can get it all done," he said.
"But mind you, if it was easy, why have the army do it?"
The co-operation between agencies and the varying levels of government for Games planning is unprecedented, said Mercer.
"I think what I remember most, especially, in the last six months is that get-it-done attitude, in all levels of security, not just within the RCMP or law enforcement," he said.
At an exercise in November, more than 500 people from 70 different agencies were involved in running scenarios for the Games.
Two further exercises are planned in 2009.
For security reasons, officials routinely decline to disclose the exact nature of the plans for 2010; much of what is known has come through publicly available documents or access to information requests.
Military camps with an estimated price tag of $40 million are planned for the Sea-to-Sky highway linking Vancouver and Whistler, B.C. in order to patrol the backcountry and keep watch on the vital Games artery.
Secure zones will be established around all venues and hand-held screening equipment will be used at entrances.
A network of surveillance cameras will also be in place, and the force is reportedly looking at deploying equipment that can scan for biological or nuclear threats.
How activists will mobilize around the Games remains a big question. Assessments have suggested terrorists are a threat and may go as far as infiltrating contractors to gain access to security planning.
But, Mercer said, "our threat at present is low."
"I know where the security plans are, the security plans are secure, they're safe, they're locked up and they're not in any danger of being leaked or be in the hands of anybody we wouldn't want them to be in."
Mercer took on the job as the Olympics top cop in the fall of 2007, after his predecessor suddenly left the post, the first of several public challenges to besiege security planning.
The security unit is now the subject of a lawsuit after a $58 million contract for two ships to house security personnel fell through.
"I would wish that the (request for proposals) for the accommodations vessels had sailed through," Mercer said.
Mercer said new companies have expressed interest in helping the force secure the accommodation it needs.
With officers coming from across the country for the Olympics, concerns also exist around policing gaps, but Mercer said strategies are in place to deal with that, including cancelling leave for all officers during 2010.
The hills and valleys of planning have changed many things, including himself, Mercer said.
But his basic goal in the 13 months remaining to the 2010 Olympics is the same.
"I'd be personally disappointed if anybody left here and all they remembered was security," he said.
"So our goal is to do it the Canadian way. Security will be there, security will be subtle, security will be friendly based on the threat level we're at today."
