Transfer Payment Programs for Public Safety Canada's 2023 to 2024 Departmental Results Report

Biology Casework Analysis Contribution Program

Start date

2010–11

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Appropriated annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2022-23

Link to departmental result(s)

Community safety practices are strengthened, Canadian communities are safe, Crime is prevented and addressed in populations/communities most at-risk

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Serious and Organized Crime

This Biology Casework Analysis Contribution Program (BCACP) provides contributions to the governments of Ontario and Québec, which operate forensic laboratories that undertake biological casework analysis for the purpose of criminal identification, and which also provide crime scene DNA profiles to the National DNA Data Bank (NDDB).

The specific objectives of the BCACP are as follows:

• Increased operational capacity in the Ontario and Québec forensic laboratories;
• Decreased processing turnaround times;
• Decreased case backlog; and
• Increased number of profiles submitted to the Crime Scene Index of the National DNA Data Bank.

Results achieved

Through Public Safety Canada (PS)'s contributions under the BCACP, Ontario and Québec continued to process a large number of requests for DNA analysis, which directly contributed to criminal investigations and the administration of justice.

The data collected by the BCACP is not disaggregated by age, gender or any other gender-based analysis assessment categories.

All data that is collected under the BCACP is subject to the DNA Identification Act and the Privacy Act in order to protect the privacy of individuals. As such, it is not possible to collect disaggregated gender-based data for this program.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

N/A – An Evaluation of Public Safety Canada's Role in Support of DNA Analysis was approved in May 2019.

Next planned evaluation

An Evaluation of the BCACP is planned for 2025-26.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

PS and Royal Canadian Mounted Police engaged the governments of Ontario and Québec through their cooperative participation in populating the Crime Scene Index of the NDDB.

Financial Information

Building Safer Communities Fund

Start date

March 2022

End date

2025-26

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Appropriated annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2021-22

Link to departmental result(s)

Community safety practices are strengthened, Canadian communities are safe, Crime is prevented and addressed in population/communities most at-risk

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Crime Prevention

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The objective of the Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF) is to support municipalities and Indigenous governments in their efforts to address gun and gang prevalence by providing a determined funding allocation to put in place community led projects to combat gun and gang violence and address knowledge gaps concerning the impacts of interventions in gun and gang violence.

Public Safety Canada (PS) is responsible for administering contributions agreements to municipal governments as well as Indigenous communities, which then can redistribute all or a portion of the funding to support gang prevention and intervention initiatives, in accordance to their respective needs.

The objectives of the BSCF are to:

Support municipalities and Indigenous communities to develop community-based prevention and intervention strategies and initiatives to tackle gun and gang activities;

Increase the knowledge of the nature, scope and challenges of the identified recipients to tackle gun and gang activities; and

Support recipients to develop a plan to sustain successful prevention and intervention activities on completion of the five-year program.

Results achieved

Under the BSCF, PS continues to support municipalities and Indigenous communities in their efforts to address gun and gang prevalence by providing a determined funding allocation to put in place community led projects to combat gun and gang violence and address knowledge gaps concerning the impacts of interventions in gun and gang violence.

In 2023-24, a total of 84 projects were administered, representing an investment of $72.2 million. Of these, 20 were new projects that started in 2023-24.

These objectives will be monitored using the following performance indicators

• Percentage of identified recipients that received dedicated funding to address gun and gang violence through crime prevention and intervention initiatives:
  • 84%^{Footnote 1} have received funding as of March 31st 2024.
• Percentage of municipalities and Indigenous communities who report that the funding has enabled them to respond to gun and gang violence in their jurisdictions:
  • 93%
• Percentage of recipients that indicate prevention and intervention activities will be sustained at the end of the BSCF funding:
  • 52% of respondents reported that other sources of funding have been partially or fully secured.
• Percentage of funded communities that positively shifted in the rankings on the identified Communities list based on the proxy indices (Homicides by firearm; incidents of firearms offences; and organized crime/street gang-involved crime):
  • Data for 2023-24 not available at the time of publication.
• Percentage decrease in rates of homicide by firearm amongst identified Communities:
  • 8%
• Percentage decrease in rates of firearms offences amongst identified Communities:
  • 8%
• Percentage decrease in rates of homicide by organized crime/street gang-involved crime amongst identified Communities:
  • 3%

At the end of the 2023-24 fiscal year, PS began to identify communities which have not proceeded with BSCF contribution agreements. The Department has developed a process to risk manage potential spending lapses and to ensure the maximum use of funds to bolster gang-prevention programming and community capacity where communities are able to commit to spending the remaining funding available during fiscal years 2024-25 and 2025-26.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

N/A – An Evaluation of the Building Safer Communities Fund is planned for 2025-26.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

PS engaged with BSCF recipients through a variety of fora including the Canadian Centre for Safer Communities, the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association annual conference, the Gun and Gang Symposium held by Safer Schools Together, the Institute of Policy Administration of Canada, and one on one engagements at both the national policy and regional program levels.

Financial information

Community Resilience Fund

Start date

2016–17

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Grant and Contribution

Type of appropriation

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2016–17

Link to departmental result(s)

Canadian communities are safe, Crime is prevented and addressed in populations/communities most at-risk

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Crime Prevention

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Community Resilience Fund (CRF) supports the priorities of the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence (the “Canada Centre”) by providing time-limited financial assistance to enhance and/or support the countering of radicalization to violence (CRV) research and programming across Canada. The CRF includes opportunities for local communities, organizations and academics to obtain funds for new and existing countering of radicalization to violence initiatives.

The objective of the CRF is to enhance cooperation and innovation in CRV research and programming by:

• Enhancing research capacity to support a Countering Radicalization to Violence (CRV) Centre of Excellence for policy development, programming, and engagement activities;
• Supporting evidence-based models and promising practices which address known risk and protective factors to prevent radicalization to violence;
• Building capacity to address radicalization to violence through expert knowledge, enhanced cooperation, and knowledge transfer to key stakeholders; and
• Empowering local communities to take steps to prevent all forms of radicalization to violence.

Results achieved

The CRF continues to advance projects to build prevent and counter radicalization to violence. In May 2023, the Public Safety Minister announced $25 million in funding for new multi-year proposals. Financial support for these new CRF projects supports initiatives led by researchers, front-line practitioners, and community-based organizations to support partnerships and innovation, as well as to prevent and counter radicalization to violence in Canada and internationally.

In March 2024, Public Safety Canada (PS) announced further CRF funding totaling $711K to SOCLES International Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, King’s College London, and the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies. Spending for the CRF fiscal year 2023-24 totaled approximately $11.6 million, supporting 25 new CRF projects and 10 ongoing multi-year projects. These initiatives cover areas such as preventing radicalization to violence on gaming platforms, exploring violent extremist motivations linked to gender, examining the roles of conspiracy and disinformation narratives in ideologically motivated violent extremism, developing training resources for front-line practitioners, and funding front-line initiatives aiding those leaving violent extremism.

In seeking to learn about how stakeholders view the quality and usefulness of such initiatives, the Canada Centre conducted post-event surveys for seven hybrid knowledge-sharing events in 2023-24, reaching more than 850 attendees. Overall, 76.8% of respondents considered results from these workshops to be “Useful” or “Very Useful,” slightly under the annual DRR target of >80%. Respondents comprised of a mix of policymakers, front-line practitioners and researchers. Further stakeholder survey waves have been delayed as the Canada Centre works with PS to update the Annual Performance Report indicators to refine measurement metrics, but plans to launch more expanded efforts are in development for the near future.

The Canada Centre continues to expand efforts to learn about the utility and impact of CRF initiatives, and these survey results are evidence of progress towards CRV policy and program activities being informed and supported by CRF-funded initiatives.

In line with recommendations outlined in the 2020 Evaluation of the Canada Centre, in 2023-24 the Canada Centre continued to expand its role in coordinating within government and with external stakeholders and community-level partners. This includes building on the results of the Canada Centre's stakeholder survey, first launched in 2020, to collect data and learn about the delivery of support and programming and identifying areas for potential improvement. Complete analysis from the 2022 survey data informed the Canada Centre's activities, outputs and outcomes. This includes knowledge development and mobilization to support and showcase the work of CRF recipients as well as raise the profile of the CRF, and leveraging other Canada Centre knowledge mobilization activities such as workshops and conferences.

Additionally, as part of the Canada Centre's role in mobilizing, distributing and curating knowledge, the Canada Centre re-launched its conference series in 2023 with a week-long event entitled "What to Measure, How to Prevent." The conference attracted 320 attendees from governments, civil society and industry of 16 countries, with 94% of attendees noting that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the event. Further, 96% indicated that that the conference was useful or very useful to their or their organisation's work (further metrics can be found in the conference report, which was published on the Canada Centre's website). Substantive lessons learned from the conference feedback included an appetite to concentrate the body of evidence related to promising efforts towards preventing and countering violent extremism, as well as the need for coordinated engagement of the various stakeholders in this space. To this end, the Canada Centre is working towards developing a next generational national university research network, which received further consultation during the 2024 Megaweek conference.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

An Evaluation of the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence was completed in July 2020 (FY 2020-21).

An Evaluation of the Canada Centre – Community Resilience Fund is planned for 2025-26.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

In line with plans to expand stakeholder engagement, in 2023-24, the Canada Centre worked in collaboration with Community Safety Programs Division (CSPD) and its regional program advisors to enhance information sharing and capacity building at local, provincial, territorial, federal and international levels. This included through hosting the 4th ‘Megaweek' International Conference on Countering Radicalization to Violence early in the fiscal year (May 1-5, 2023), which brought together over 300 attendees from across Canada and from 16 countries, including to feature more than 100 speakers and panelists. Core to the event design was to bring together past, current, and potential Community Resilience Fund recipients to share results, learn about latest trends and needs, develop their knowledge and networks, and identify new opportunities for partnerships and programs, as well as identify areas for potential improvement. CSPD and the Canada Centre also continued using other methods to expand knowledge development and sharing through regional outreach, workshops, and online webinars open to stakeholders across Canada and internationally. These initiatives also serve as consultation mechanisms for Public Safety, through both direct engagement and feedback, as well as participant and stakeholder surveys. Such input shaped new investment priorities for the CRF and for the Canada Centre more generally, as well as the design of the 5th ‘Megaweek' conference in May 2024.

Financial information

Contributions for supporting the Canadian Red Cross's urgent relief efforts related to COVID-19, floods and wildfires

Start date

2020

End date

2025-26

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

One-time appropriation

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2020-21

Link to departmental result(s)

Canadian Communities are safe

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Emergency Response/Recovery

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The COVID-19 pandemic has put pressure on the health system of many jurisdictions through a sharp increase in Canadians requiring medical attention as well as challenging the capacity of supporting organizations. Furthermore, the pandemic has disrupted the logistics and supply chain of diverse sectors supporting emergency management. This has led to increased national risk with regards to effective response to floods and wildfires.

The response efforts of the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) are funded through the federal contribution program, Supporting the Canadian Red Cross's Urgent Relief Efforts Related to COVID-19, Floods and Wildfires (CRCCFW).

Results achieved

While the Program was initially developed primarily to respond to COVID-19, in 2022-23 the focus shifted to donation-matching to respond to floods and wildfires as the COVID-19 situation in Canada improved dramatically. This has continued into fiscal year 2023-24.

Three donation matching funding agreements were established under this program. The first is entitled “2021 British Columbia Wildfires Appeal”. This funding is intended to provide direct support to those communities affected by the 2021 wildfire season in British Columbia, ensuring affected people, families and communities receive needed relief and recovery support. In 2023-24, 34 households received mental health interventions, 15 received psychosocial supports. Also, 147 households developed a recovery plan under the program, with 48 rebuild contracts reviewed, and 450 individuals given financial assistance for a total of $744,324.20 of assistance.

The second funding agreement is entitled “2021 British Columbia Floods Recovery.” This funding is intended to address the intermediate and long-term recovery needs of those impacted by an atmospheric river event which brought unprecedented amounts of rain, flooding and landslides to British Columbia in 2021. This includes addressing the needs of Indigenous communities, and redressing mental health and psychosocial impacts. In 2023-24, 1,112 households were supported with 204 rebuild contracts reviewed, 1136 individuals provided financial assistance for $1,218,059 in funding. The CRC also held 28 support and community planning conversations and formed 5 external community partnerships.

The final funding agreement is entitled “Alberta Fires 2023 Matching Program”. This project is intended to accomplish two tasks: Firstly, provide financial assistance to eligible local not-for-profit organizations to further support to the affected communities and secondly, deliver re-entry support to individuals and households. Over 6,100 clean up kits were made available at two sites. Thirty eight applications for grants were received and approved for $419,380 of funding to local organizations.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

N/A

An Evaluation of Supporting a Humanitarian Workforce to Respond to COVID-19 and Other Large-Scale Emergencies is planned for 2025-26.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

Program officials have held regular meetings with the CRC to provide advice and guidance throughout the application process towards donation matching initiatives, as well as for general administration, project monitoring and reporting.

Financial information

Contribution Program to Combat Serious and Organized Crime

(Includes the Akwesasne and Kahnawake Organized Crime Initiatives and the National Human Trafficking Hotline)

Start date

2014

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2019-20

Link to departmental result(s)

Canadian communities are safe, Crime is prevented and addressed in populations/communities most at-risk

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Border Policy, Serious and Organized Crime

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

Public Safety Canada's Contribution Program to Combat Serious and Organized Crime (CPCSOC) supports initiatives, research, partnership building, specialized police services, projects and programs to increase knowledge, raise awareness and/or help advance efforts to combat serious and organized crime. This is achieved through funding allocations to eligible recipients. Serious and organized crime (e.g., drug trafficking, identity theft, financial crimes, auto theft, contraband tobacco smuggling, human trafficking, and child sexual exploitation) pose significant threats to the health and safety of Canadians.

Under the CPCSOC, the Department provides funding to support:

Stream A - Projects and/or initiatives to combat serious and organized crime priorities aligned with CPCSOC objective^{Footnote 2};

Stream B - Specialized policing services to enhance capacity of Indigenous police to address organized crime and related criminal activities in and around high-risk Indigenous communities. Funding does not apply to Indigenous police structures provided by the RCMP in the context of a police agreement.

The objectives of the CPCSOC are:

• Supporting projects and/or programs including specialized police services that focus on enhancing efforts to combat serious and organized crime and increasing awareness and understanding of related issues;
• Supporting initiatives and/or research projects to increase understanding of the (evolving) nature of serious and organized crime, including its structures, activities and impact on communities;
• Creating or reinforcing partnerships among recipients;
• Facilitating cooperation and collaboration among various levels of government and stakeholders; and
• Informing the development/implementation of policies, procedures and legislation.

Results achieved

In 2023-24, Public Safety Canada (PS) supported a variety of initiatives to prevent and address serious and organized crime through the CPCSOC.

PS renewed Contribution Agreements with seven provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia) to provide enhanced support for their provincial and municipal Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) units, who received $6 million for total funding allocated in 2023-24 through Budget 2022. Departmental funding has allowed provincial and municipal ICE units to hire and train more staff as well as have access to specialized training and equipment, leading to a reduced backlog of cases, which improves local law enforcement capacity to detect and respond to cases and victims of child sexual exploitation online.

The Department also continued to provide funding for the Talking for Change program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) ($500K per year), which offers support to people who are having difficulty managing their use of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) or are concerned about their sexual interest or behaviour involving children. Through the provision of anonymous and non-anonymous support services, this program helps to create safer environments for Canadian children. During the fiscal year 2023-24, the CAMH helpline made 145 contacts within the mandate of the Talking for Change program.

In 2023-24, PS also continued to support the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P), which processed more than 27,000 reports from Canadians in 2023 alone, and Project Arachnid, which processed over 169 billion images as of July 2024 and issued over 40 million takedown notices for the removal of child sexual abuse material since its inception.

Funding to C3P also supported services to survivors and their families, including providing information to caregivers, safety planning throughout a crisis and assisting with victim impact statements for criminal proceedings.

For combatting human trafficking, PS continued to invest in the Human Trafficking Hotline and anti-human trafficking projects to help prevent and address crime in populations and communities most at risk. These projects included 12 community-led empowerment projects across Canada and five projects on delivering innovative initiatives for at-risk youth, all focusing on providing services and/or tools including mentoring, counselling, life skills training and other supports. These projects resulted in strengthened awareness, knowledge and empowerment among vulnerable groups. To increase awareness further, PS also continued to deliver the “It's not what it seems” campaign to help correct common misunderstandings on human trafficking and equip youth, parents/caregivers and at-risk populations.

The Department also advanced efforts to strengthen community safety practices through the development of guidelines that continue to be refined for front-line community workers. These guidelines focus on advancing culturally sensitive and trauma informed supports for victims seeking help. Continued efforts to appoint a Chief Advisor also contributed to supporting survivors, as this role will be a conduit for advancing national efforts and objectives for the National Strategy to Combat Human Traffickingthrough domestic engagement, including with survivors, as well as in international fora.

PS also continued to support the First Nations Organized Crime Initiative which provided funding to the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service (AMPS) and the Kahnawake Peacekeepers. This initiative supported capacity building in these two community law enforcement organizations, including for intelligence gathering, information sharing and training. Partnerships between the two police forces were also enhanced as well as with the RCMP and other Canadian and American law enforcement agencies to advance investigations. This funding helped to disrupt organized crime and related criminal activities in and around their communities and surrounding areas, including seizures of illicit drugs and firearms.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

N/A

An Evaluation of the Expansion to the National Strategy for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation on the Internet was completed in March 2022 (FY 2021-22).

An Evaluation of the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline was completed in January 2023 (FY 2022-23).

A Horizontal Evaluation of the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking was completed in June 2024 (FY 2024-25).

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

Applicants were engaged on a regular basis through targeted requests for proposals to address issues relevant to CPCSOC, e.g., human trafficking. In some cases, CPCSOC applicants were identified specifically (e.g., Stream A applicants such as the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, and Stream B individual First Nations applicants such as Akwesasne), based on the particular policy and program objectives being pursued. Once identified, applicants were engaged through a variety of means, as appropriate, including via email, and both virtual and in-person meetings for those in the National Capital region.

Under the Addressing Drug-Impaired Driving in Canada Initiative, the Department has engaged regularly with the provinces and territories receiving contribution funding through the CPCSOC. This has led to achieving significant reductions in the administrative burden for funding recipients, as well as the development of the national annual data report.

For human trafficking and internet child exploitation related projects, funded organizations were engaged on a regular basis through their required reporting requirements. Recipient organizations were required to complete activity reports twice a year outlining progress made, challenges, funds spent, etc. This allows for the Department to keep in regular contact with the organization and provide support where needed.

Financial information

Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements

Start date

1970

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Appropriated annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

Terms and conditions were last amended in 2014-15. In June 2022, they were extended until March 31, 2024.

Link to departmental result(s)

Canada can effectively mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from all-hazards events.

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Emergency Response/Recovery

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) provides federal financial assistance to provinces and territories (PTs) affected by significant natural disasters such as floods and storms. When response and recovery costs exceed what individual PTs could reasonably be expected to bear on their own, the DFAA provides the Government of Canada with a fair and equitable means of assisting PTs.

The DFAA has guidelines in place that include an established cost-sharing formula. This is not a program with repayable contributions.

Results achieved

In 2023-24, the DFAA continued to assist PTs with the costs of dealing with disasters, where those costs would otherwise place a significant burden on the provincial or territorial economy and would exceed what they might reasonably be expected to fully bear on their own.

This is evidenced by the following results achieved during the reporting period:

• Ten events meeting the DFAA cost sharing threshold received an Order in Council approval, a decrease of one (1) from the previous fiscal year;
• One hundred percent of events meeting the DFAA cost sharing threshold received an Order in Council approval;
• DFAA payments were issued in response to all provincial and territorial requests; and
• An updated accounting of provincial and territorial response and recovery expenditures were received semi-annually for events for which the DFAA were approved.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A

A Joint Audit and Evaluation of the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangement Programs was approved in August 2022 (FY 2022-23)

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

N/A

A Joint Audit and Evaluation of the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangement Programs was approved in August 2022 (FY 2022-23)

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

PS's officials have provided guidance and advice to provincial and territorial officials regarding eligibility of expenditures under the Program upon request, and as part of scheduled conversations on active files.

Financial information

First Nations and Inuit Policing Facilities Program

Start date

2018-19

End date

2026-27

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Appropriated annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2018-19

Link to departmental result(s)

Crime is prevented and addressed in populations/communities most at-risk.

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Indigenous Policing

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

As a complement to the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP), the First Nations and Inuit Policing Facilities Program (FNIPFP) provides funding to repair, renovate or replace of policing facilities owned by First Nation and Inuit communities. These investments help ensure that policing infrastructure in Indigenous communities meets building codes, policing facility requirements and health and safety standards. Program costs are shared with provinces and territories (PTs) of jurisdiction based on a 52% federal - 48% provincial/territorial ratio.

Results achieved

PS, in collaboration with provinces and territories, completed or contributed to the investment in 20 policing infrastructure projects throughout Canada during fiscal year 2023-24, specifically 17 construction initiatives and 3 renovation or facility upgrade projects.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

N/A – An Evaluation of the Funding for Investment in First Nations and Inuit Policing Facilities Program is planned for 2024-25.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

PS regularly meets with provinces and territories through bilateral meetings and through formal working groups to engage on the FNIPFP.

Financial information

First Nations and Inuit Policing Program

Start date

1991-92

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2023-24

Link to departmental result(s)

Crime is prevented and addressed in populations/communities most at-risk.

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Indigenous Policing

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP), which is cost-shared with provinces and territories (PTs) of jurisdiction based on a 52% federal - 48% provincial/territorial ratio, delivered provides funding to support policing services that are professional, dedicated and responsive to the First Nation and Inuit communities they serve. The FNIPP supports two main types of policing services:

• Self-administered Police Service Agreements, where a First Nation or Inuit community manages its own police service under provincial policing legislation and regulations; and
• Community Tripartite Agreements, where a dedicated group of officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police provides policing services to a First Nation or Inuit community.

Results achieved

Working collaboratively with provinces and territories of jurisdiction to secure required cost-sharing, Public Safety Canada (PS) continued to implement expanded federal funding commitments for FNIPP in fiscal year 2023-24, with a focus on the identified needs of self-administered First Nations and Inuit police services. This included funding new officers in existing agreements, supporting new communities that wish to join an existing First Nations and Inuit self-administered police service and bolstering police service budgets. PS also supported the expansion of First Nations community safety officer projects across multiple jurisdictions.

FNIPP funding was also allocated to furthering the co-development of First Nations police services legislation, which includes funding to the Assembly of First Nations, to the First Nations Chiefs of Police Association, and to support the First Nations Police Governance Council and other First Nations projects. Funding was also allocated to support the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations' wellness conference to engage the First Nations in Saskatchewan on policing and further inform the legislation.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

Report 3 of the Auditor General of Canada – First Nations and Inuit Policing Program was tabled in March 2024.

There are 2 recommendations stemming from Report 3 – First Nations and Inuit Policing Program addressed to the department. Public Safety Canada's Departmental Management Action Plan is available.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

N/A – An Evaluation of the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program was approved in February 2022 (FY 2021-22).

Next Evaluation of the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program is planned for 2026-27.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

PS regularly met with provinces and territories through bilateral meetings and through formal working groups to engage on the FNIPP.

Financial information

Grants and Contributions Program to National Voluntary Organizations

Start date

1983

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Grant and Contribution

Type of appropriation

Appropriated annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2021-22

Link to departmental result(s)

Community safety practices are strengthened

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Corrections

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Grants and Contributions Program to National Voluntary Organizations (GCPNVO) provides funding to not-for-profit organizations which are active in the area of corrections, conditional release and community reintegration.

The grants provide funding to help these organizations maintain a national structure, and to cover core operating expenses.

The contributions provide funding for eligible organizations to create or expand application support services for individuals with criminal records looking to apply for a record suspension (pardon).

Results achieved

In 2023-24, Public Safety Canada (PS) continued to administer the GCP NVO. The grants stream enables a total of thirteen recipients to fulfill their mandates. Many grant recipients provide services to victims, incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals and their families. The contributions stream enables a total of eighteen recipients to fulfill their mandates. Contribution recipients provide services to individuals with criminal records looking to apply for a pardon.

Summary of Results achieved per strategic outcome:

• Increased knowledge and understanding for decision-making in Canada's criminal justice and corrections systems:
  • Recipients conducted intake assessments and developed individualized action plans, helping clients navigate the record suspension process and improve their decision-making capabilities.
• Shared knowledge and awareness leading to enhanced delivery of services:
  • Recipients shared best practices through information-sharing activities, including conferences and public education initiatives, which enhanced service delivery across multiple regions.
• Contribution to national policy dialogue on matters related to criminal justice:
  • Recipients engaged in policy dialogue activities, including meetings with federal departments and community organizations, which contributed to shaping policies that address community needs.
• Increased capacity of NVOs to fulfill their mandates:
  • Training sessions were held for staff and volunteers, significantly increasing their capacity to support clients effectively
• Increased community capacity to work with victims, offenders, families, and local officials:
  • The Record Suspension Clinics provided support to numerous clients, helping them navigate the criminal justice system and work with local officials for comprehensive assistance.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

N/A

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

The program area normally engages with grant/contribution recipients twice per year for a Corrections Roundtable which provides recipients with an opportunity to share information on their programs and service delivery. Emerging issues of mutual interest in the field of criminal justice and corrections are also discussed which help to inform PS policy and program development. During the funding cycle, recipients were required to submit annual activity reports to highlight the previous year's accomplishments.

Financial information

Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund

Start date

2018

End date

2028

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2018–19

Link to departmental result(s)

Community safety practices are strengthened, Canadian communities are safe

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Crime Prevention

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The objective of the Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund (GGVAF) is to support law enforcement and intervention initiatives at the provincial and territorial (PT), municipal and community levels by providing funding to PTs. Funding is provided to PTs with the goals of supporting police services and other organizations in enhancing efforts to prevent, disrupt and combat gun and gang violence, and increasing awareness and understanding of related issues.

Results achieved

The GGVAF is part of the Public Safety Canada (PS)-led horizontal Initiative to Take Action against Gun and Gang Violence (ITAAGGV). Within the framework of the projects under the GGVAF, funding was distributed to PT partners and was utilized to develop and implement prevention and intervention initiatives, enhance law enforcement and prosecution capabilities, support data collection and research, provide professional training, and refine strategies for addressing gun and gang violence. These efforts collectively work towards reducing violence and improving community safety across Canada.

In 2023-24, a total of 13 agreements were administered representing an investment of $77.3 million. Following a graduated increase of funding over five years to provinces and territories, the GGVAF is now at its full projected funding level across the five year funding period to 2027-28.

The immediate outcome of the GGVAF is that communities have capacity to respond to gun and gang violence. The intermediate outcome is that informed initiatives to respond to gun and gang violence are implemented across Canada, and the long-term outcome is that gun and gang violence is reduced, thus contributing to a safe and resilient Canada.

The success of these expected results will be measured through the following performance indicators:

• Number of additional initiatives dedicated to responding to gun and gang violence which are implemented:
  • 140 additional initiatives dedicated to responding to gun and gang violence were implemented in FY 2023-24, including: 46 programming initiatives; 15 training initiatives; 6 action-oriented research initiatives; 3 prosecution activities initiatives; 9 improvement of data initiatives; and 61 law enforcement initiatives (n=10/13).
• Number of new resources dedicated to guns and gangs within police services:
  • 85 new resources (personnel) dedicated to guns and gangs within police services were hired during FY 2023-24, including 13 prosecutors, 16 data improvement personnel and 56 police service personnel (n=10/13).
• Percentage of recipients and project partners who have integrated knowledge from funded initiatives into their practice or decision making:
  • 90% of provinces/territories (n=10/13) reported they integrated knowledge from funded initiatives into their practice or decision-making.
• Degree to which P/T stakeholders report that GGVAF funding has enabled them to better respond to gun and gang violence in their jurisdictions:
  • 90% of provinces/territories (n=10/13) reported they integrated knowledge from funded initiatives into their practice or decision-making.
• Number of firearm-related homicides:
  • The Police-reported Crime Statistics will be released in November 2024.
• Number of gang-related homicides:
  • 173 homicide victims where the homicide was linked or suspected to be linked to organized crime or a street gang (204 in 2022).

PS conducted it's first Stakeholder Survey on the ITAAGGV to gather information from stakeholders regarding the initiative's effectiveness and awareness, identify gaps, and inform future programming and policy. The report serves as a critical feedback mechanism, outlining key areas for action and improvement in the fight against gun and gang violence, reflecting a broad range of perspectives and insights from stakeholders involved in public safety, community initiatives, and policy development.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

N/A – A Horizontal Evaluation of the Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence (ITAAGGV) was completed in March 2023.

Findings: Gun and gang violence related crime continues to be a serious issue in Canada and the ITAAGGV is making a difference in helping PTs and horizontal partners tackle gun and gang violence. Stakeholders strongly agreed that their efforts to combat gun and gang violence would be significantly impacted without the Initiative's support.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

PS engaged with the provinces and territories as eligible recipients in the regions, and in regular meetings at senior official and ministerial levels.

Financial information

Major International Events Security Cost Framework

Start date

2001-02

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Appropriated annually through the Estimates (Only if there is a major event).

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2016-17

Link to departmental result(s)

Canadian communities are safe, Community safety practices are strengthened.

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Serious and Organized Crime

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The overall objective of the contribution program is to obtain the cooperative participation of jurisdictions in the provision of policing and security for a designated Major International Event by:

• Enabling the jurisdictions to seek financial assistance from the Government of Canada, through a negotiated contribution agreements for eligible incremental policing and security-related costs incurred in the provision of security at the event; and
• Allowing the Government of Canada to reimburse jurisdictions, through a contribution program, for eligible incremental security costs incurred in the provision of security at the event.

Results achieved

Due to the timing of the contribution agreements being signed at the end of fiscal 2023-24, the performance indicators were not measured during this reporting period. Compliance with the contribution agreement deliverables will be reported on in future reporting periods once the results are available and after audits are complete.

In fiscal year 2023-24, Public Safety Canada (PS) officials drafted, negotiated and signed four separate contribution agreements for the reimbursement of safety and security expenses with host jurisdiction recipients for the hosting of two major international events that occurred in 2022:

• the July 2022 Papal Visit, involving: the Alberta Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Services (up to $798,068), the City of Edmonton (up to $785,160), the City of Calgary (up to $225,364), and the government of Quebec (up to $9,677,056); and,
• the December 2022 COP 15 in Montreal involving the Government of Quebec (up to $45,619,864).

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

N/A

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

Leading up to the signature of the contribution agreements, PS officials engaged early and often with host jurisdiction recipients with a view to explain the terms and conditions of the program's eligible and ineligible expenses and conduct a preliminary peer review peer of the expenses claimed.

Financial information

Memorial Grant Program for First Responders

Start date

2018-19

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Grant

Type of appropriation

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2018-19

Link to departmental result(s)

Canadian Communities are safe

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Emergency Response/Recovery

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The objective of the Memorial Grant Program (MGP) for First Responders is to recognize the service and sacrifice of Canada's first responders whose deaths are attributable to their duties, including deaths resulting from occupational illness or psychological impairment (i.e., suicide), while keeping Canadians safe.

In recognition of the critical role of first responders in protecting Canadians, the MGP will provide a one-time, lump sum, tax-free direct maximum payment of $300,000 to the families of first responders who have died as a result of their duties.

Results achieved

In 2023-24, the MGP continued to recognize the service and sacrifice of fallen first responders by administering grant applications from eligible beneficiaries.

According to data available, in 2023-24:

• The MGP website received 6,587 English and 1,139 French visits; and
• Public Safety Canada (PS) received 158 eligible applications for the MGP.

The Department continued to ensure that the MGP was well-managed and well-established, which was responsive to stakeholder needs; this was evidenced by the following results achieved during the reporting period:

• The average elapsed time from submission of a completed application to decision was 27 days;
• The average elapsed time from a decision at PS and notification to applicant was 7 days;
• The percentage of total expenditures directed to the administration of the program was 3%; and,
• 100% of favorable decisions were made without requesting a level of review or appeal.

In addition, PS has developed a survey that is being implemented during the summer of 2024, to assess the following:

• Percentage of first responders and/or their families who perceive the MGP positively; and
• Percentage per first responder class that perceive the MGP positively.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

N/A - An Evaluation of the Memorial Grant Program for First Responders was completed in June 2021 (FY 2021-22).

The next Evaluation of the MGP for First Responders is planned for 2026-27.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

The Department continued efforts to ensure the awareness of the MGP through various events and meeting with PT Officials and various stakeholders.

Financial information

National Crime Prevention Strategy

(Includes the Crime Prevention Action Fund, the Northern & Aboriginal Crime Prevention Fund, the Security Infrastructure Program and the Youth Gang Prevention Fund)

Start date

National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS): 1998-99
Crime Prevention Action Fund (CPAF): 2005
Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund (NICPF): 2008
Youth Gang Prevention Fund (YGPF): 2007
Security Infrastructure Program (SIP): 2007

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment:

CPAF: Grant and Contribution
NICPF: Grant and Contribution
YGPF: Contribution
SIP: Contribution

Type of appropriation

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

CPAF: 2013
NICPF: 2013
YGPF: 2011
SIP: 2019-20

Link to departmental result(s)

Community safety practices are strengthened, Crime is prevented and addressed in populations/communities most at-risk

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Crime Prevention

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) is the federal government's primary policy framework for the implementation of crime prevention initiatives in Canada. Through the NCPS, Public Safety Canada (PS) provides time-limited funding to eligible organizations for the development, implementation and evaluation of evidence-based interventions, with a view to building knowledge of “what works” in crime prevention.

The NCPS' goal is to reduce offending among those most at risk, such as children and youth who demonstrate various risk factors, and to prevent crimes from being committed. The NCPS provides national leadership in the development and dissemination of evidence-based crime prevention programs and policies, and supports projects that are responsive and appropriate to community and regional needs. The NCPS aims to increase the coordination and integration of effective crime prevention policies and programs at the federal, provincial, territorial and municipal levels, as well as increase the identification of, and response to, emerging priority issues and orientation of funding programs.

The Crime Prevention Action Fund (CPAF) supports the implementation and evaluation of crime prevention initiatives that address known risk and protective factors associated with crime and respond to priority crime issues.

The objectives of the CPAF are to:

• Support the dissemination of knowledge and the development of tools and resources related to effective crime prevention practices; and
• Support innovative projects to explore ways in responding to known risk and protective factors related to offending among at-risk children and youth, and high risk offenders in communities.

The Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund (NICPF) supports the adaptation, development and implementation of innovative and promising culturally sensitive crime prevention practices which address known risk and protective factors to reduce offending among children and youth, and high risk offenders in communities; the dissemination of knowledge and the development of tools and resources for Aboriginal and northern populations; capacity building as a means to explore ways to develop or implement culturally sensitive crime prevention practices among Indigenous and northern populations.

The objectives of the NICPF are to:

• Support the dissemination of knowledge and the development of tools and resources for Indigenous and northern populations; and
• Support capacity building and explore ways to develop culturally sensitive crime prevention practices among Indigenous and northern populations.

The Youth Gang Prevention Fund (YGPF) supports the implementation and evaluation of local, targeted and tailored youth violence and youth gang prevention initiatives with an objective to develop and share knowledge of “what works”.

The objectives of the YGPF are to reduce youth violence and youth gang threats in communities by:

• Supporting targeted initiatives to address specific risk and protective factors associated with youth violence and youth gangs in communities where these issues exist or are emerging threats; including those occurring in rural, remote and Indigenous communities;
• Giving young people alternatives to joining gangs and helping them develop pro-social skills and attitudes; and
• Developing and disseminating knowledge about effective methods to prevent youth violence and youth gangs in Canada.

The Security Infrastructure Program (SIP) supports the implementation of projects to help communities at risk of being targeted by hate-motivated crime through the enhancement of their security infrastructure.

The objectives of the SIP are:

• A reduction of incidents of hate-motivated crime in targeted area;
• An increased sense of security in communities at risk of hate-motivated crime in targeted area; and
• An increased awareness of the particular challenges faced by communities at risk of hate-motivated crime.

Results achieved

National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS)

Under the NCPS, PS continued to support the implementation of community-based projects across the country. These projects aim to address risk factors among children and youth; prevent involvement in youth gangs, youth violence and cyberbullying; enhance the security of communities at risk of hate-motivated crimes; and foster crime prevention in Indigenous and northern communities. Under the NCPS, in 2023-24, a total of 346 projects received funding support, representing an investment of approximately $53 million. Of these, 246 were new projects that started in 2023-24.

Crime Prevention Action Fund (CPAF)

Under the CPAF, PS continued to develop and implement projects across the country, focusing on addressing risk and protective factors amongst identified at-risk priority youth populations, with specific focus on Indigenous and Black youth.

Under the CPAF, in 2023-24, a total of 54 projects received support, representing an investment of approximately $28.7 million. Twenty-six of these projects were newly signed in 2023-24. CPAF projects reached a total of 6606 youth in 2023-24. Annual reporting from projects indicated that 14 projects are serving Black youth populations; 6 are serving Indigenous youth populations; and 13 are serving multiple priority youth populations (PI#2). In addition, 82% of project participants showed improvements in participants' risk/protective factors (PI#1).

Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund (NICPF)

Under the NICPF, a total of 9 projects received support in 2023-24, representing an investment of approximately $2 million (ER#1). All projects under the NICPF are serving northern and Indigenous communities (PI#1). Efforts continued to advance coordination of project development and implementation between the NICPF and other Indigenous-specific programs within the Department. Six new community-led, culturally appropriate projects began implementation in 2023-24. Several of these projects are being developed in partnership with the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative and will address needs identified through community safety planning exercises.

Youth Gang Prevention Fund (YGPF)

Under the YGPF, PS continued to implement projects across the country focusing on reducing the number of gang-involved youth in communities with a known or emerging gang problem. Under the YGPF, in 2023-24, a total of 15 projects continued to receive support, representing an investment of approximately $9.2M. Of those 15 projects, 9 projects primarily focus on serving Indigenous youth, 4 projects focus on serving Black youth, and 2 projects serve multiple priority youth populations (PI#2).

Additionally, in 2023-24, 6 projects implemented under YGPF were also being supported to undergo a third party impact evaluation. These 6 projects were midway through their evaluations and although 2 projects have already been showing an improvement in participant's risk/protective factors (PI#1) the remaining have not collected sufficient impact data to report on changes related to priority youth populations' anti-social and violent behaviours.

Security Infrastructure Program (SIP)

Under the SIP and the Expanded Security Infrastructure Program (ESIP), there were 268 projects (PI#1) administered in 2023-24. One hundred and sixty-two (N=162) of these project submitted a final report. The majority of projects that were funded (PI#2) supported the purchase of closed circuit televisions (45%), alarm systems (27%) and access control systems (37%). Prior to receiving funding, recipients (n=121) indicated that they had experienced (PI#3) approximately 399 incidents of hate-motivated crime whereas 24 incidents were reported after the installation of security equipment (n=16). Of the recipients who completed their final report, (PI#4) 86% indicated that the population that accesses the facility had an increased sense of security.

Social Impact Bond

June 2023 marked the second year of three in the implementation of the YMCAs of Quebec Alternative Suspension Social Impact Bond. Third party evaluation results from the 2022-23 school year confirmed that, when compared to a group of students that did not participate in the intervention, approximately 7% more students achieved a positive change in their problematic behaviours after participating in the AS intervention. This performance results in a net loss to investors of 14% of their investment. While this result was not as strong as the first year, the benefit of the Social Impact Bond model is that it allows the YMCAs of Quebec to innovate on program delivery. Preliminary results from the 2023-24 school year suggest a return to strong results. The final results of the Social Impact Bond will be available in August 2024.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A.

A joint Internal Audit and Evaluation of the Security Infrastructure Program is planned in 2025-26.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

The Evaluation of the National Crime Prevention Strategy was approved in October 2023.

Findings: Crime prevention and reduction remains a priority for the Government of Canada as well as provincial and territorial governments. The NCPS, and its funding programs, is aligned with this priority and adjusts to align with changing federal priorities related to crime prevention. The program has evolved to include a focus on cyberbullying, and has focused on addressing the needs of Black and Indigenous peoples.

A joint Internal Audit and Evaluation of the SIP is planned in 2025-26.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

The NCPS utilizes its mailing list to ensure potential applicants and recipients are informed about relevant activities and future funding opportunities.

PS Regional Program Advisors also maintain contact with funding recipients. They assist recipients in developing their projects into funding agreements and ensure that reporting requirements are fulfilled, as per the terms and conditions of the agreement. Additionally, the SIP held information sessions at the launch of the call for applications in 2023-24, as well as outreach when there are reports of severe hate motivated incidents in the media.

Financial information

Newfoundland and Labrador's New Adult Corrections Facility Project

Start date

March 27, 2024

End date

March 31, 2032

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

One time contribution through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2023-24

Link to departmental result(s)

Canadian communities are safe, Community safety practices are strengthened.

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Corrections

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

Through this one time contribution, Public Safety Canada (PS) provides a contribution of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador for the construction of a new adult corrections facility.

Results achieved

Additional results will be gather later in the current and upcoming fiscal years.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

NA

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

PS regularly engages representatives of the Province to monitor the project's progress, as per the requirements of the funding agreement.

Financial information

Policy Development Contribution Program

(Includes Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries, Emergency Management Public Awareness Contribution Program, and Funding to Support Canada's Flood Risk Plan)

Start date

Policy Development Contribution Program (PDCP): 1983
Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries (PTSI): January 11, 2019
Emergency Management Public Awareness Contribution Program (EMPACP): August 13, 2020
Funding to Support Canada's Flood Risk Plan (FSCFRP): April 1, 2021

End date

PDCP: Ongoing
PTSI: March 31, 2023
EMPACP: March 31, 2024
FSCFRP: March 31, 2022

Type of transfer payment

PDCP: Contribution
PTSI: Contribution
EMPACP: Contribution
FSCFRP: Contribution

Type of appropriation

PDCP: Appropriated annually through Estimates
PTSI: Appropriated one time through Estimates
EMPACP: Appropriated one time through Estimates
FSCFRP: Appropriated one time through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

PDCP: 2019-20
PTSI: 2018-19
EMPACP: 2019-20
FSCFRP: 2021-22

Link to departmental result(s):

PDCP

• National security threats are understood and reduced;
• Community safety practices are strengthened;
• Canadian communities are safe; and
• Canada can effectively mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from all-hazards events.

PTSI

• Canadian communities are safe; and
• Canada can effectively mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from all-hazards events.

EMPACP

• Canada can effectively mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from all-hazards events.

FSCFRP

• Canada can effectively mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from all-hazards events.

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Crime Prevention
Cyber Security
Emergency Preparedness
Indigenous Policing
Law Enforcement and Policing
Serious and Organized Crime

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

PDCP

The PDCP's overall objectives are to forge greater consensus and cooperation among various levels of government and other stakeholders through policy initiatives and activities. Contribution funding has been chosen in order to monitor progress and results of projects and initiatives.

The program contributes to the achievement of departmental legislative, policy development, and consultative objectives by:

• Supporting projects in priority areas to address public policy issues of strategic importance to the Department;
• Supporting information driven projects and participation in cross-sectoral and inter-jurisdictional policy and legislative initiatives;
• Supporting innovative approaches and the acquisition of knowledge and the ability to translate knowledge into action for communities and community-based organizations; and
• Contributing to enhanced public safety and emergency management.

This program supports strategic projects undertaken by Departmental stakeholder organizations that contribute to policy-making.

The Department provides funding to three categories of projects:

• Communication/Information Exchange projects;
• Innovation and Research projects; and
• Training and Skills Development projects.

PTSI

The PTSI supports a new National Research Consortium (NRC) on this program among public safety personnel between the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT). This consortium is the first of its kind in Canada and works specifically to address the incidence of PTSI among public safety personnel. The program also supports an Internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (ICBT) pilot to provide greater access to care and treatment for public safety personnel, especially in rural and remote areas. The program does not have repayable contributions.

EMPACP

The EMPACP was established to increase the level of preparedness and readiness of vulnerable groups to natural hazards. It seeks to develop and nationally distribute public awareness products that are tailored to the specific needs, risks, and barriers of vulnerable populations, including low-income Canadians, seniors, women, new Canadians, and Indigenous communities.

FSCFRP

The FSCFRP seeks to study and assess options in establishing a low-cost residential insurance program for Canadians living in areas at high-risk of flooding as well as measures that could support the potential relocation of Canadians at the highest risk of recurrent flooding to safer areas. This initiative would enable a federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) and private sector Task Force on Flood Insurance and Relocation to develop options for flood protection for Canadians at high risk of flooding.

Results achieved

PDCP

A call for proposals was launched in 2021-22 and associated projects commenced at the beginning of 2022-23. The following is an overview of some of the results corresponding with projects completed at the end of March 31, 2024.

A research project assessed whether community recidivism reduction plans based on the Norwegian model could be adapted for Canadian federal prisoners. This project included the examination of international precedents set for community engagement in recidivism, consultations with prisoners and former prisoners, as well as the examination of the implementation of this model. A final report was produced for dissemination. A second season of the podcast “Les voix de la réhabilitation“ was developed and broadcasted to discuss recidivism and community rehabilitation, by demonstrating how society can play a role in supporting offenders towards social reintegration. This podcast aims to raise awareness and destigmatize offenders by giving them a voice on their reintegration. Drug Stigma Awareness Training continued to be facilitated during this fiscal year, as an opportunity to raise awareness within the law enforcement community on the negative impacts drug stigma can gave on individuals who use substances. An online training portal was made available for law enforcement professionals to access PDCP Indicators results:

Number and type of lessons learned, innovative approaches, best practices, other relevant research findings, and "reach" (with whom these were shared):

• 4 lessons learned, innovative approaches, best practices;
• A podcast season was developed to raise awareness and destigmatize offenders by giving them a voice on their reintegration;
• A drug stigma awareness training was developed and made available for law enforcement personnel to raise awareness on the negative impacts drug stigma can have on those who use substances;
• An app was developed to assist those leaving federal prisons to find service providers in their communities to address their identified needs. This holds promise as an effective way to support those returning to communities overcome the barriers they face;
• An online toolkit was developed to aid in the application of GBA Plus at municipal-level hazard, risk assessments, and emergency management plans.

Number of funded projects initiatives by PS priority areas based on the Departmental Plan;

• 12 funded project initiatives.

Types of partnership activities (meetings, conferences, fora, publications) and number and type of organizations attending and topics discussed;

• The Waterloo Security Dialogue conference took place during this reporting period. This included opportunities to identify and prioritize practical steps for creating conditions that promote national resilience against cybersecurity incidents. Number of organizational practices/tools developed and "reach" (with whom were the models/tools shared)

Number of organizational practices/tools developed and "reach" (with whom were the models/tools shared)

• 4 Practices/Tools developed;
• The podcast to raise awareness on the stigmatization of offenders was developed and broadcast on all listening platforms;
• The drug stigma awareness training is available online for all law enforcement personnel in Canada;
• The app has been developed and is in its testing phase. The intention is to reach all those who are reintegrating within the community post-incarceration.

The online toolkit will be available to all those interested and will be disseminated across various municipal emergency management departments.

PTSI

Public Safety Canada has funded the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT) to continue to share research knowledge through research summaries, webinars, and the CIPSRT website. CIPSRT has also responded to the needs of PSP through the creation of a number of new tools.

• CIPSRT held the first-ever public safety personnel-focused symposium in March 2024. This event showcased research outcomes and related national efforts in support of public safety personnel mental health and wellbeing;
• An academic, research and clinical network has been established and is composed of over 140 experts across Canada to share best practices and information;
• CIPSRT continues to create tools, engage the community via webinars and other info sessions, and provides knowledge translation whereby research moves into action.

PTSI Indicator Results per outcomes:

• CIPSRT and the National Research Consortium are recognized for their ability to engage knowledge users from the public safety community throughout the research process by disseminating the research findings into practice;
  • Result: CIPSRT held the first-ever public safety personnel-focused symposium in March 2024. This event showcased research outcomes and related national efforts in support of public safety personnel mental health and wellbeing.
• The public safety and research communities are better linked/networked resulting in the establishment of multi-disciplinary partnerships;
  • Result: An academic, research and clinical network has been established and is composed of over 140 experts across Canada to share best practices and information.
• Public safety health research publications inform decision making and policy setting in the future; and
  • Result: CIPSRT continues to create tools, engage the community via webinars and other info sessions, and provides knowledge translation whereby research moves into action.
• ICBT pilots are underway in Saskatchewan and Québec, and public safety personnel are able to take advantage of online treatment options for PTSI.
  • Result: Pilots are underway in 6 provinces (Ontario, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Quebec. 90% of participants reported increased confidence in managing symptoms and 90% would recommend to friend or colleague.

EMPACP

This project promoted risk awareness to action toward individual and community resiliency. This was done through the promotion of existing body of preparedness to action messaging with vulnerable groups and supporting organizations nationally, while working on understanding barriers and developing new materials, tools, and approaches specific to the needs and circumstances of these groups.

A review of current materials and evaluation of efficacy was conducted, tailoring messaging to seniors, new Canadians, and Indigenous populations at higher risk of floods, wildfires, and earthquakes. Development and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation process has taken place to determine efficacy of the materials, tools and approaches developed, for continuous improvement through the project.

EMPACP implemented a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Plan to better understand the cumulative results of the project, approaches that have had greater success, and collection and analysis improvements. Ongoing data tracking and measurements have taken place to best understand the results of the National Awareness to Action campaign.

The Awareness to Action campaign's Earthquakes and Newcomers sprint was implemented. A total of 1,166,540 ads took place alerting residents that they lived in an area at high risk of earthquakes and provided preparation and information resources in multiple languages. Several community organization collaborated to support the dissemination of key earthquake preparedness messages to newcomers. Furthermore, six videos were developed in collaboration with the BC Earthquake Alliance addressing common questions around earthquake preparedness.

The development of assets for the Indigenous Preparedness campaign sprint took place over this reporting period in collaboration with several Indigenous communities. The campaign was launched in 2023-24, and included community outreach packages with tailored messaging.

There has been continued work on the Social Vulnerability Index, with maps overlaying flood hazard exposure/propensity and socioeconomic vulnerability at the census track level for several selected communities.

All activities as part of the contribution agreement have been completed and the final report has been received. One of the project's goals was to inform policy and uncover effective ways to deliver risk information and emergency preparedness services to populations with greater exposure to risks of floods, wildfires or earthquakes. The project better equipped the sector with resources and highlighted effective tactics to support inclusive approaches to raising risk awareness and encouraging emergency preparedness. The learnings underscored that visual design, content relevant to the needs and contexts of specific populations and appropriate delivery method are essential to ensuring cultural safety and creating resonance and receptivity. The project also indicated that while campaigns have a wide reach, they need to be complemented with community-based interventions for greater impact and effectiveness.

EMPACP results:

• Increased awareness level of the risk vulnerable populations face relative to natural hazards in their region;
• Actions are promoted at the individual and community level to help reduce the impact of natural disasters and improve resiliency; Vulnerable populations are educated about how to better prepare for natural disasters; and
• Vulnerable communities encouraged to take preventative measures that are realistic for their circumstance.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

N/A - An Evaluation of the Initiatives to Address Post-Traumatic Stress was approved in January 2023 (FY 2022-23)

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

The program continued to work closely with funding recipients to maintain the delivery of measurable results.

Financial information

Search & Rescue New Initiatives Fund

Start date

1987

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2009–10

Link to departmental result(s)

Canada can effectively mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from all-hazards events

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Emergency Prevention/Mitigation

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund (SARNIF) provides annual funding for projects that will improve the National Search and Rescue Program (NSARP). The SARNIF is a key element of the NSARP and contributes significantly to support safety promotion and education, as well as to advancing technology and improving Canada's ability to provide an effective and capable Search and Rescue (SAR) response in all areas and jurisdictions.

Results achieved

In 2023-24, Public Safety Canada (PS) continued to administer the SARNIF program. The program had 26 active projects during this period.

Projects focused on developing and improving SAR capabilities by ways of improvements on interoperability between organizations such as collaborations, joint training and exercises. Improved technological developments also allowed data sharing more accurate and efficient, therefore enhancing response preparedness and prevention capability.

Eighty-five percent of the projects reported new or enhanced partnerships between SAR partners that will extend beyond the funding period. Many have also developed partnerships with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, provincial/territorial/municipal governments. One project specifically focused on enhancing SAR capacity and training with Indigenous engagement, and reported on enhanced relationships with the provincial First Nations Emergency Management.

One hundred percent of the projects reported to have shared SAR response and prevention best practices across the SAR community; through avenues such as SAR conferences, regional meetings & roundtables, social media, or directly shared with other SAR organizations.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

N/A – An Evaluation of the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund was completed and approved in October 2020 (FY 2020-21).

The next Evaluation of the Search and Rescue Initiatives is planned for 2024-25.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

Established Federal, Provincial/Territorial, and Volunteer governance bodies and other forums were consulted to develop program priorities. Routine engagement with all recipients of the program occurred throughout 2023-24 for project monitoring and reporting purposes.

Financial information

Supporting a Humanitarian Workforce to Respond to COVID-19 and Other Large-Scale Emergencies

Start date

2020

End date

2025-26

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Statutory authority under the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2020-21

Link to departmental result(s)

Canadian Communities are Safe

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Emergency Response/Recovery

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Canadian Red Cross (CRC) - Urgent Relief - COVID-19 (CRCURC) project seeks to ensure that the CRC can efficiently respond to the competing demands for their expertise as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and meet the immediate needs of Canadians for their services during this crisis. These objectives are accomplished through the funding of four main categories of activities:

• Ensuring the CRC's readiness to surge in response;
• Adaptation of stock and systems to support service delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic;
• Support public health efforts including quarantine and isolation operations; and
• Support Canadian COVID-19 emergency response efforts.

Results achieved

Public Safety Canada (PS) continued to deliver the Supporting a Humanitarian Workforce to Respond to COVID-19 and Other Large-Scale Emergencies Program (HWF) in 2023-24 with a renewed focus on building capacities to respond to emergency situations. Therefore, as with the last fiscal year, there is no measurement of the indicators for testing response teams.

Four non-governmental organizations were supported to develop and enhance their readiness and capacity to respond to all-hazards events across Canada. One donation matching initiative for wildfires in the North West Territories was also implemented under this program.

While this program no longer focuses on COVID-19 outbreak management, the year saw further work towards building up all-hazards preparedness. Over 8000 individuals were trained to complete humanitarian workforce functions (target : 3800+) with over 1000 volunteers recruited under the program in fiscal year 2023-24.

Three funded organizations maintained capacity to respond to all-hazards events 100% of days; one funded organization maintained capacity to respond for 50% of days across Canada (target: 75%).

Seven thousands, seven hundreds and seventy individuals were ready to deploy at the end of 2023-24 (target 3800), 118 response teams (target: 10) were also ready to deploy, and 1,156 individuals were deployed.

One hundred and thirty one collaborations (target: 5) were established by three funded HWF organizations to address specific needs of marginalized communities, while further collaborations were established by the fourth funded organization based on the needs of individual communities served through specific events.

Ninety-eight cultural competency and safety sessions were also delivered (target: 15) to disseminate information and training on the importance of community based solutions.

Two NGOs developed 50 plans for engaging vulnerable communities (target: 100% of NGOs). Other NGOs continue to develop measures and collaborations that can address barriers in socially, economically or culturally marginalized communities.

The number of NGOs that can demonstrate at least three capabilities and stakeholder engagement is recorded in the final report for each project, which will not be received until 2025-26, but stood at 100% (target 100%) as of the closing of projects in 2022-23.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

An Internal Audit of COVID-19 Response Fund Management was presented to the Departmental Audit Committee in June 2023.

Findings: Overall, the governance structure met the needs of the programs by facilitating the management and delivery of the PS COVID-19 related contribution programs. Additional guidance is required to help ensure monitoring and reporting controls are applied more consistently.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

N/A

An Evaluation of Supporting a Humanitarian Workforce to Respond to COVID-19 and Other Large-Scale Emergencies is planned for 2025-26.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

Program officials have held regular meetings with recipients of the program to provide advice and guidance during the intake processes as well as for general administration, project monitoring and reporting.

Financial information

Aboriginal Community Safety Development Contribution Program

Start date

Aboriginal Community Safety Development Contribution Program (ACSDCP): 2010-11
Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative (ACSPI): 2010-11
Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative (ICCI): 2017-18

End date

ACSDCP: Ongoing
ACSPI: Ongoing
ICCI: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Appropriated annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

FY 2021-22

Link to departmental result(s)

Community safety practices are strengthened, Canadian communities are safe, Crime is prevented and addressed in populations/communities most at-risk

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Corrections

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Aboriginal Community Safety Development Contribution Program (ACSDCP) provides contributions to Aboriginal organizations (on and off-reserve), Aboriginal governments and municipalities in collaboration with Aboriginal organizations and or communities to develop tailored approaches to community safety that are responsive to the concerns, priorities and unique circumstances of Aboriginal communities. Becoming more responsive requires engaging Aboriginal communities in identifying issues and developing solutions; building the capacity of Aboriginal communities to develop and deliver projects; addressing funding issues; and ensuring that relevant programs are adaptable to the diverse needs of Aboriginal communities.

The ACSDCP includes two initiatives:

1. The Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative (ACSPI); and
2. the Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative (ICCI).

The objective of the ACSPI is to enhance or improve Aboriginal communities' ability to support the development and/or implementation of community safety plans.

The objectives of the ICCI are to support the development of alternatives to incarceration projects, and/or to provide reintegration support.

The program contributes to the achievement of departmental legislative, policy development, and consultative objectives. 

This program, through transfer payments, is structured to link community solutions with policy development.

The starting points are appropriate community-based projects taking into account:

• Under the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative, the safety needs of Aboriginal communities, including Aboriginal women and girls' safety; and
• Under the Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative, the successful community reintegration of Aboriginal offenders.

The end points for both are increased knowledge within communities and government as well as effective and appropriate government policies.

Results achieved

ACSPI

In 2023-24, the ACSPI continued to support Indigenous peoples across Canada to facilitate community-led safety planning in their communities. To this end, 45 communities indicated interest in participating in safety planning related sessions and activities by submitting a signed mandate letter. Of those 45 communities, 37 communities participated in at least one safety planning session hosted by a PS-funded facilitator. This resulted in the development of 14 Community Safety Plans (CSPs), with the remaining communities continuing engagement into 2024-25 to complete their community-driven CSPs. The ACSPI continued to provide funding through 8 Contribution Agreements enabling communities to implement safety projects and activities in their communities, 4 of which were newly entered into in 2023-24.

The ACSPI also continued to engage in inter- and intradepartmental working groups and partnerships to increase collaboration and alignment of efforts with federal partners, and improve program delivery and outcomes in Indigenous community safety. To further facilitate community engagement and information sharing, two virtual and one regional communities of practice (CoP's) were hosted with Indigenous safety planners and funding recipients. Additionally, the ACSPI continued to engage Public Safety Canada partners and Indigenous evaluators and funding recipients in the development of a new, Indigenous-specific approach to project evaluation.

By hosting safety planning sessions with communities, the ACSPI has worked to increase the capacity of Canada's Indigenous communities to respond to safety issues and implement community-driven safety projects that are responsive to their own unique needs and goals. To accomplish this, the ACSPI facilitated partnerships between communities and other governmental organizations, including Indigenous Services Canada's Comprehensive Community Planning, and Public Safety Canada's Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities and Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund. As part of the safety planning process, the ACSPI regularly assists communities in identifying local partners in mental wellness, justice, health, family services, and others.

These efforts, alongside the development of the CSP, enable Indigenous communities to implement community safety projects and improve community perceptions of capacity to address identified safety priorities. The ACSPI aim to complete 25 CSP's per fiscal year, but due to capacity and environmental challenges, 14 CSP's were developed in 2023-24 to increase the ACSPI's capacity to deliver safety planning to Indigenous communities, eight new contracts were awarded to safety planning experts to facilitate safety planning sessions and support communities in the development of their CSP. These contracts will allow for expanded programming and increased engagement to advance community safety in 2024-25.

ICCI

In 2023-24, the ICCI launched a national call for applications which closed on June 12, 2023. A total of 119 applications were submitted while the call was active, with an additional 3 applications submitted after the closing date. Due to unanticipated challenges, no projects were funded during the initial year. The last year had been dedicated to assess applications through the three-level assessment process:

• Level 1: Eligibility and compliance against the programs' Terms and Conditions;
• Level 2: Federal collaboration through the newly implemented ICCI Interdepartmental Review Committee composed of federal partners from Correctional Service Canada, Justice Canada and Parole Board of Canada;
• Level 3: Analytical assessment based upon strengths, weaknesses and alignment of applications with ICCI objectives, activities and mandate.

In January 2024, a Letter of Agreement (LOA) was signed by Public Safety Canada (PS) and Statistics Canada for the ICCI Re-contact Project. As part of the ICCI Quantitative Data Strategy and the broader context of the Federal Framework to Reduce Recidivism (FFRR), PS (ICCI and Research Division) will collaborate with the Canadian Centre for Justice and Community Safety Statistics (CCJCSS) at Statistics Canada to assess the extent to which the ICCI-funded projects have an impact on recidivism and in preventing the re-contact of justice-involved Indigenous peoples with the criminal justice system. The LOA covers eight fiscal years (2023-24 to 2030-31) for a total cost of $683,313 (this project was included in the approved ICCI TB Sub in 2023, with $100K ongoing annually).

As a result of unanticipated challenges, the Department was unable to put contribution agreements in place for 2023-24, but is on track to start funding new projects for the ICCI in 2024-25. PS has finalized the three-level assessment process of applications and efforts are being made towards ensuring the project implementation phase begins in fiscal year 2024-25. As projects are implemented, projects monitoring, performance and data collection will be completed on a regular basis, with more information describing ICCI projects to become available in 2024-25. As a result of unanticipated challenges, no projects were funded in 2023-24. As such, there is no data for Public Safety Canada to report back on in terms of expected results for 2023-24.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

N/A

An Evaluation of the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative is planned for 2024-25.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

ACSPI

The ACSPI engaged funding recipients and program participants in 2023-24 through coordinated virtual and in-person communities of practice, and are working to solidify a contract with an Indigenous event planning organization to deliver three virtual CoP's and one in-person gathering per fiscal year. These gatherings allowed communities the opportunity to express their needs and desired directions for the program and their own safety and wellbeing initiatives. In collaboration with other PS programs including the Research Division, the ACSPI engaged Indigenous funding recipients and program evaluators in 2023-24 through a virtual survey to better understand their experiences with PS' evaluation processes. The results of this engagement will be used to guide discussions for an in-person event, where further areas for improvement can be identified. A comprehensive report from this engagement event is expected to be received in summer 2024 and published on the PS website shortly after.

ICCI

The ICCI launched a national call for applications on March 21, 2023 which closed on June 12, 2023. The Department has finalized the assessment of applications to ascertain both eligibility and compliance against the programs' Terms and Conditions, and letters of notification are being sent to applicants regarding funding decisions. Efforts are being made to ensure the project implementation phase begins in fiscal year 2024-25.

Financial information

Combat Child Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking

Start date

2004 (Enhanced in 2007)

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Appropriated annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2019-20

Contribution Program to Combat Child Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking (CCSEHT) is now under the Contribution Program to Combat Serious and Organized Crime (CPCSOC)

Link to departmental result(s)

See: Contribution Program to Combat Serious and Organized Crime

Link to the department's Program Inventory

See: Contribution Program to Combat Serious and Organized Crime

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

See: Contribution Program to Combat Serious and Organized Crime

Results achieved

See: Contribution Program to Combat Serious and Organized Crime

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

See: Contribution Program to Combat Serious and Organized Crime

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

See: Contribution Program to Combat Serious and Organized Crime

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

See: Contribution Program to Combat Serious and Organized Crime

Financial information

COSPAS-SARSAT

Start date

July 1, 1988

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution 

Type of appropriation

Appropriated annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2010–11

Link to departmental result(s)

Canada can effectively mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from all-hazards events.

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Emergency Prevention/Mitigation

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The purpose of this contribution is to meet Canada's obligation under the International COSPAS-SARSAT Program Agreement (ICSPA) and to provide a share of the operational costs incurred by the Secretariat in performing its administrative tasks and functions.

Results achieved

The International COSPAS-SARSAT Programme is an international satellite-based Search and Rescue (SAR) distress alerting system that directly contributes to the efficient and effective use of SAR resources in Canada and around the world. On average, 45 Canadian lives and an additional 950 lives internationally are saved annually by COSPAS-SARSAT.

Public Safety Canada (PS) met its financial obligations to the International COSPAS-SARSAT Programme by contributing Canada's share of the costs of operations to the international organization.

The International COSPAS-SARSAT Secretariat Contribution Program is an assessed contribution program that provides $278,000 annually to the International COSPAS-SARSAT Secretariat, which is the administrative body to the International COSPAS-SARSAT Programme. This annual payment fulfils Canada's Treaty commitments under the International Cospas-Sarsat Programme Agreement (ICSPA). The payment is to cover Canada's portion of the common costs associated with the management and administration of the Programme.

The COSPAS-SARSAT Secretariat provides management and administrative support for the Programme, including coordinating international meetings such as Council meetings (open and closed), as well as the Joint Committee and Experts Working Groups. As a signatory to ICSPA and a Party to the Treaty, Canada has a leadership and decision making role in this consensus based organization (the Parties to the ICSPA must reach consensus for a decision to be implemented).

As per the Contribution Program requirements, the Secretariat does submit its annual plan to Public Safety Canada. Given Canada's role within the Programme as a signatory and Party to the ICSPA, Canada maintains sound visibility on how funds are used by the Secretariat in support of the Programme.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

N/A – An Evaluation of the Search and Rescue Initiative is planned for 2024-25.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

Canada is Party to the International COSPAS-SARSAT Programme Agreement, and as such routinely engaged with the COSPAS-SARSAT Secretariat to discuss matters of planning, human resources, finance, and programme business. Canada participated in all COSPAS-SARSAT governing, operational and technical bodies scheduled in 2023-24. Canada's Permanent Representative maintains a strong relationship with the COSPAS-SARSAT Secretariat throughout the fiscal year, and is part of the decision making process, including approving the Secretariat's annual budget.

Financial information

Cyber Security Cooperation Program

Start date

2019

End date

March 2024

Type of transfer payment

Grant and Contribution

Type of appropriation

Appropriated annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2019-20

Link to departmental result(s)

Community safety practices are strengthened.

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Cyber Security

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The Cyber Security Cooperation Program (CSCP) aims to contribute to the federal government's leadership role in advancing cyber security in Canada.

The CSCP's purpose is to commission research and yield comprehensive results that help position Canadian governments, businesses, and citizens to better anticipate trends, adapt to a changing environment, and remain on the leading edge of innovation in cyber security.

In alignment with the goals and priorities of the new National Cyber Security Strategy (NCSS) released in May 2019, the CSCP is comprised of the following three streams and related objectives:

• Security and Resilience;
• Cyber Innovation; and
• Effective Leadership.

Results achieved

In 2023-24, 12 projects received funding under the CSCP for a range of cyber security priorities, including projects related to blockchain, quantum computing, coding, and cyber resiliency. This was in line with the goals that research funded through the CSCP helps to ensure that the Department's decision making is evidence-based, improves the collective understanding of the cyber landscape, and advances Canada's economic position.

The Community Safety Knowledge Alliance (CSKA) completed a study entitled Cyber Security Capacity in Canadian Agriculture, which was partially funded by CSCP. This initiative aimed to strengthen cyber security across Canada's agricultural ecosystem by laying the groundwork for further attention to cyber security issues impacting rural prosperity and well-being, economic innovation and productivity, critical infrastructure and national security. This is consistent with the expected result that understanding of cyber vulnerabilities and threats is enhanced among stakeholders.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A

The Office of the Auditor General's Report 7 – Combatting Cybercrime was tabled in June 2024. (FY 2024-25).

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

N/A

A Mid-Term Evaluation of the National Cyber Security Strategy – Public Safety Canada's Initiatives was approved in March 2022 (FY 2021-22).

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

No call for applications was conducted in 2023-24. Departmental officials consulted with CSCP recipients throughout the year on their projects' progress through quarterly activity reports as well as via email, telephone and videoconferences. As the CSCP concluded in March 2024, final reports from each recipient are in the process of being collected and assessed.

Financial information

Heavy Urban Search and Rescue

Start date

2016-17

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Grant (contributions allowed)

Type of appropriation

Appropriated annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2016-17

Link to departmental result(s)

Canada can effectively mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from all-hazards events

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Emergency Prevention/Mitigation

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The purpose of the Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) Program is to support Canada's HUSAR capacity by strengthening the abilities of six HUSAR Task Forces across Canada. The HUSAR program contributes to the achievement of departmental and governmental objectives by contributing to enhanced public safety and emergency management.

Results achieved

In 2023-24, Public Safety Canada (PS) continued to administer the HUSAR program. Five out of the six eligible Task Forces required and received funding.

Task Forces completed training, exercises, and maintenance programs in medical, search & rescue, procurement, logistics, planning & communications.

One Task Force was able to deploy technical rescue resources on two occasions. Once by helicopter to rescue a trapped canoe tripper, and the other working closely with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in support of a missing persons investigation.

Another task force was deployed on two occasions to complete damage assessments after a wildfire in the region, completing in days what historically would have taken months to complete.

A joint exercise in September, 2023 took place, which involved police dogs (K9) (canine) units from five HUSAR Task Forces which required the training in this cycle. It was a four-day K9 Search Specialist Course that focused on core skills and facilitated interoperability between Task Forces. The result was the validation of 20 search dogs and 18 handlers to the Canadian USAR K9 Standard, Level 2.

Three Task Forces report having the ability to jointly train and, report being able to utilize at least 95% of the funding that they were allocated in 2023-24.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

N/A – An Evaluation of the Search and Rescue Initiatives is planned for 2024-25.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

Engagement occurred through bi-weekly meetings of the Task Force sub-Working Group, two in-person HUSAR Workshops and participation in International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) meetings.

Financial information

International Association of Fire Fighters

Start date

2008-09

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Appropriated annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2008-09

Link to departmental result(s)

Canada can effectively mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from all-hazards events.

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Emergency Preparedness

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The objective of the HazMat training program, delivered under the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) agreement, is to train first responders about strategies to safeguard their health and safety and the safety of Canadians, and to reduce deaths and injuries related to HazMat incidents.

The goal is to provide the highest level of instruction and training by:

• Conducting local, customized training that meets the needs of first responders, local jurisdictions and Public Safety Canada;
• Collaborating to reach as many first responder populations as possible; and
• Ensuring that all training programs continue to meet or exceed applicable professional standards, and that they incorporate lessons learned and best practices.

Results achieved

In 2023-24, Public Safety Canada continued to administer the IAFF program and contributed funding towards making sure Canadian fire fighters and other first responders nationally have the skills and knowledge required to respond to operate in an hazardous material (HazMat) environment.

During the same period, the IAFF provided direct training to 307 students, spread over 14 classes, and train the trainer classes will be given to improve interoperability between trained first responders in Canada. Approximately 21% of students represented disciplines other than firefighting services.

Using pre and post test evaluations, it was demonstrated that students significantly increased their knowledge by improving their test results by 25%.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

N/A – None required. Low program materiality.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

Planned engagement occurred with the IAFF for administration purposes as well as to develop a new three year funding agreement that took effect on April 1, 2023.

Financial information

National Capital Extraordinary Policing Costs Program

Start date

2015 (Renewed and expanded in 2020-21)

End date

2024-25

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Appropriated annually through the Estimates 

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2020-21

Link to departmental result(s)

Canadian Communities are safe

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Law Enforcement and Policing

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The overall objective of the Nation's Capital Extraordinary Policing Costs contribution program (NCEPCP) is to recognize the unique policing environment created by the presence of federal landmarks (e.g., the War Memorial), institutions and events of national significance in the Nation's Capital. These exceptional circumstances lead to extraordinary policing costs for the Ottawa Police Service (OPS). In recognition of these exceptional circumstances the NCEPCP enables the City of Ottawa to seek financial assistance from the Government of Canada through a contribution agreement for eligible extraordinary, reasonable and justifiable policing costs incurred in relation to duties specific to policing the nation's capital.

Results achieved

During 2023-24, Public Safety Canada (PS)'s officials worked with City of Ottawa officials and auditors during an external recipient audit that focused on fiscal years 2021-22 and 2022-23. The Contribution Agreement was increased by $60,540,269 in 2021-22 and $23,059,731 in 2022-23 to cover the significant expenses associated with the unprecedented “freedom convoy” protests, over and above the $3M annual allocation normally provided through the NCEPCP.

With the additional financial assistance from the federal government, the City of Ottawa was equipped to provide security, with the help of neighbouring police services, on a cost recovery basis. The program continues to ensure that the Nation's Capital hosts safe and secure events, whether planned or unexpected. PS also initiated discussions with the City of Ottawa to explore the feasibility and requirements of setting up an enhanced and focused police presence in the parliamentary precinct.

The following results were achieved:

• 100% of the two payment requests were received and paid in compliance with the amended contribution agreement;
• 100% of the $3 M annual funding allocated for 2023-24 under the NCEPCP was fully used and exceeded by $24,386.72 by the City of Ottawa in 2023-24 within the first six months (Quarters 1 and 2), leaving no allocation remaining to reimburse the recipient for any expenses incurred in Quarters 3 and 4, unless the agreement is amended and a source of funds is identified;
• 100% of the extraordinary events requiring the use of the liaison team was met; and
• OPS attended 100% of the events required of them based on security assessments in the Nation's Capital.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

N/A – None required. Low program materiality.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

Departmental officials consulted with the recipient, the Ottawa Police Service, throughout the year on program design, delivery, funding utilization and limitations as well as on challenges via email, telephone and videoconference.

Financial information

National Flagging System Class Grant Program

Start date

2007

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Grant

Type of appropriation

Appropriated annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2017-18

Link to departmental result(s)

Community safety practices are strengthened

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Corrections

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The purpose of the National Flagging System (NFS) Class Grant Program (NFSCGP) is to enhance the capacity of participating provinces and territories to identify and track high-risk, violent offenders and facilitate prosecution and sentencing of these offenders if they re-offend.

The objectives of the NFSCGP are to:

• Assist Crown prosecutors to more effectively prosecute high-risk violent offenders;
• Prevent high-risk violent offenders from falling through jurisdictional gaps in the criminal justice system, should they move to another part of the country; and
• Encourage prosecutors to make Dangerous and Long-Term Offender applications in appropriate cases.

Results achieved

In 2023-24, Public Safety Canada (PS) continued to administer the NFSCGP. The current five-year funding cycle includes nine provincial government recipients. Alberta has yet to sign the Agreement.

The program funding has contributed to increasing the capacity of the ten recipients' ability to flag high risk offenders. Measures to increase capacity were demonstrated via the following:

• Hiring and retaining full and part-time staff (e.g. paralegal, assistant coordinator);
• Accessing and maintaining of national flagging website;
• Purchasing or leasing of efficient copy/scanning equipment;
• Using of a dedicated Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) terminal; and
• Procurement of court transcripts.

Consequently, the recipients' increased capacity has facilitated the achievement of the following results:

• The program enables recipients to keep up to date information on high risk offenders as well as analyze and summarize the information in order to respond to requests from prosecutors in a timely manner. Offender summaries are shared with prosecutors to assist with bail and sentencing activities;
• The program enables recipients to expand their electronic database by converting paper documents to electronic format. With increased availability of electronic data recipients are able to work more efficiently on a daily basis;
• To ensure a consistent approach, recipients review the list of flagged offenders and determine if they still meet the criteria for national flagging; offenders will be removed from the list if they no longer meet the criteria; and
• When an offender that has been flagged in one jurisdiction is subsequently arrested in another jurisdiction, recipients are able to notify their provincial/territorial counterpart and provide them with the relevant background information.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

N/A – None required. Low program materiality.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

During the funding cycle, recipients were required to submit annual reports to demonstrate how the grant has contributed to the recipient's ability to identify and track high-risk offenders. PS engaged with recipients where necessary to provide guidance and assistance.

Financial information

Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada

Start date

April 2015

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Appropriated annually through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2014-15

Link to departmental result(s)

Canada can effectively mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from all-hazards events.

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Emergency Prevention/Mitigation

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The overall objective of the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) contribution program is to assist in improving Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) in Canada through the coordination, consistency, and standardization of the 9,000 volunteers involved in GSAR.

Additional objectives include:

• Transcending jurisdictional boundaries and providing a national voice and identity for GSAR volunteers in Canada, including protecting, supporting and recognizing GSAR volunteers at a level commensurate with that provided to other SAR volunteers;
• Delivering SAR prevention to provide greater awareness among the general public of risks and hazards that most commonly lead to SAR incidents and of the steps individuals and organizations can take to mitigate these risks and increase survivability;
• Supporting a national coordination body to provide one window of access into the thousands of volunteer members of GSAR to enhance communications, consistency and coordination of protocols and procedures; and
• Promoting the standardization and portability of volunteer resources allowing for the swift and efficient augmentation of ground search assets when GSAR resources are required.

Results achieved

In 2023-24, Public Safety Canada continued to administer the SARVAC program.

The 13 provincial and territorial search and rescue associations were represented on SARVAC's Board of Directors. Communications and identity products, such as pins, brochures and crests were distributed on an ongoing bases. Service awards pins and certificates were also distributed to ground search and rescue (SAR) volunteers totaling over 25 years of service or more.

SARVAC has continued to be active in the area of prevention by delivering 144 awareness and outreach sessions, reaching over 4,084 participants.

Key documents and toolkits were distributed to various jurisdictions and organizations throughout the year, including the Canadian Standards Association Curriculum and Training Standards, and Federal Tax Credit for SAR Volunteers documents.

SARVAC continued to facilitate the tracking of volunteer competencies with jurisdictions across the country, capturing information for 9,000 volunteers over 300 teams.

No information is available regarding the number of deployments, the frequency and outcome of SAR incidents, or the extent and value SAR partners assign ground search and rescue (GSAR) volunteers. The manner in which this information may be collected and distributed is currently under review.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

N/A - An Evaluation of the Search and Rescue Initiatives is planned for 2024-25.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

Regular engagement occurred with SARVAC as well as with the Volunteer SAR Council, of which SARVAC is a member. Additionally, PS engaged SARVAC to develop a new three year funding agreement that took effect on April 1, 2023, as well as for regular project monitoring and reporting.

Financial information

Workers Compensation

Start date

1959-60

End date

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment

Contribution

Type of appropriation

Appropriated through internal authority

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2011

Link to departmental result(s)

Emergency Management

Link to the department's Program Inventory

Emergency Response/Recovery

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

The objective of the Worker's Compensation Program (WCP) is to compensate volunteer emergency service workers who are injured or killed in the course of emergency service training or work. The WCP is a contribution program between Public Safety Canada (PS) and provinces and territories (PTs). The Department, as the program administrator, cost-shares 75% of the cost of claims for those who have been injured or killed, and who are not covered by a PTs Workers Compensation Acts or similar legislation. The other 25% is covered by PTs.

Results achieved

In 2023-24, PS continued to administer the Workers Compensation Program. Four provinces, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Quebec and Alberta, submitting expenditures for cost sharing under this program for a total of $312,426.

Findings of audits completed in 2023-24

N/A

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24

N/A – An Evaluation of the Search and Rescue Initiatives is planned for 2024-25.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24

Public Safety Canada maintained collaboration and communication with the Provinces that submitted claims to the program as part of regular administration.

Financial information