CBSA Review Body

Classification: Unclassified
Branch / Agency: CSCCB

Proposed Response:

 If pressed:

Background:

In Budget 2019 the Government proposed to amend the Canada Border Services Agency Act, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act and other Acts, as required, to expand the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) to act as an independent review body for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canada Border Services Agency.

The Budget 2019 funding profile included $14.12 million for expansion of the CRCC and $10.30 million for review mechanism support for CBSA over the next five years, totaling $24.42 million with an ongoing amount of $4.01 million for CRCC and $2.82 million for CBSA ongoing.

On January 27, 2020, the Minister of Public Safety introduced Bill C-3, which would have expanded the CRCC’s mandate to handle reviews and complaints for both the CBSA and the RCMP.

Bill C-3 passed first reading at the House of Commons, but, due to delays related to the Covid-19 pandemic and the prorogation of Parliament in August 2020, the Bill died on the order paper.

On September 23, 2020, the Speech from the Throne (SFT) committed the Government to take steps to ensure that the strong hand of criminal justice is used where it is needed to keep people safe, but not where it would be discriminatory or counterproductive. The SFT indicated the Government will:

Officials are developing advice on CRCC proposals for amendments to the former C-3 — including for adequate CRCC resourcing — and on other amendments to the RCMP Act and other acts that could be considered to address SFT and Government commitments to enhance civilian oversight.

Contacts:

Prepared by: David Thelen, A/Director, LEBS, CSCCB, 613-878-0424 and Darryl Sitka, Senior Director, SPPD, CSCCB 613-558-9708
Approved by: Trevor Bhupsingh, A/ADM, CSCCB, 613-990-2703

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