A new Security and Safety Agency was announced in Regina on Sunday, to be operated in the Queen City.

M-P for Regina, Lumsden and Lake Centre, Tom Lukiwski explained that the new project combines three existing ones.

It will harmonize the Chemical, Biological, Radiological-Nuclear and Explosives Research and Technology Initiative (CRTI), plus the Public Security Technical Program (PSTP) and the Canadian Police Research Centre (CPRC).

"These three former programs have been brought together and harmonized under one comprehensive program to improve management efficiency, and hopefully deliver better services to Canadians," Lukiwski said.  Those efficiencies will help Canada prepare for everything from terrorist attacks to natural disasters.

Lukiwski said Regina was a natural choice because it's already the base of the CPRC, and the University of Regina is also working on security initiatives. 

The new agency will cost 43.5 million dollars a year to run.  It will employ 16 staff members, up from eight currently at the CPRC.

Edited by CJME's Courtney Mintenko.  With files from CJME's Patrick Book.