Public Safety Portfolio Pocket Book - July 2023

The Portfolio

The Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Portfolio was established in 2003 with the goal of consolidating a range of responsibilities in the safety and security realm under one Minister. Your general powers, duties and functions are set out in the Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Act (PSEP Act).

The Portfolio is composed of the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (the Department, PS); and five agencies: the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), and the Parole Board of Canada (PBC); and three review bodies: the RCMP External Review Committee (ERC), the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP (CRCC), and the Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI).

The Portfolio is the biggest, non-military Portfolio in the Government of Canada. The Portfolio’s 2023-24 budget is over $10 billion, and it employs close to 72,000 people working in every part of the country and internationally. Each organization contributes to public safety and to the mission of building a safe and resilient Canada through its unique mandate and responsibilities. The Department’s principal role is to bring strategic focus, coordination and direction to the government’s overall safety and security agenda. It plays a key role in the development, coordination and implementation of policies and programs in the areas of national security, community safety, crime prevention, law enforcement and emergency management. The Department’s annual budget is approximately $2.6 billion with 1,427 employees. The majority of the Department’s employees work in the National Capital Region, but regional offices are also located in five regions: Ontario, Quebec and Nunavut, Atlantic, Prairies and Northwest Territories, and Pacific (British Columbia and Yukon) regions.

The Department is made up of six Branches and the Firearms program. The following lists each Branch and responsible Assistant Deputy Minister:

• Crime Prevention Branch; Talal Dakalbab, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister
• National and Cyber Security Branch; Patrick Boucher, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, and Sébastien Aubertin-Giguère, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister
• Emergency Management and Programs Branch; Trevor Bhupsingh, Assistant Deputy Minister
• Portfolio Affairs and Communications Branch; Shannon Grainger, Assistant Deputy Minister
• Corporate Management Branch; Patrick Amyot, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Security Officer and Assistant Deputy Minister
• Indigenous Affairs Branch; Chris Moran, Assistant Deputy Minister
• Firearms Program; Greg Kenney, Assistant Deputy Minister

The Five Agencies

RCMP – Prevents and investigates crime, maintains peace and order, enforces laws, contributes to national security, ensures the safety of senior officials and foreign missions, and provides operational support services to other law enforcement agencies within Canada and abroad.

CBSA – Provides integrated border services in support of national security and public safety priorities by enforcing Canadian laws governing trade and travel, facilitating legitimate cross-border traffic, collecting duties and taxes and interdicting goods and people that pose a potential threat to Canada.

CSIS – Investigates and reports on activities that may pose a threat to the security of Canada. CSIS also provides security assessments, on request, to all federal departments and agencies.

CSC – Responsible for administering court-imposed sentences of two years or more for adult offenders and supervising offenders on various forms of conditional release in the community.

PBC – An independent administrative tribunal that reports to Parliament through the Minister of Public Safety and has exclusive authority to make independent, quality conditional release, record suspension and expungement decisions, as well as clemency recommendations in a transparent and accountable manner. The Board’s authority extends to federal offenders and offenders in provinces and territories that don’t have their own parole boards.

The Three Review Bodies

ERC –  Provides civilian oversight of labour relations within the RCMP by conducting independent reviews of certain types of grievances as well as demotions and dismissals /strong>

CRCC –  Receives complaints from the public about the conduct of RCMP members and conducts reviews when complainants are not satisfied with the RCMP’s handling of their complaints. It also initiates complaints and investigations into RCMP conduct when it is in the public interest to do so, holds hearings, and reports findings and makes recommendations.

OCI – Conducts independent investigations about issues related to CSC that affect offenders either individually or as a group. The Office is also responsible for reviewing and making recommendations on CSC’s policies and procedures associated with the area of individual complaints to ensure that systemic areas of concern are identified and addressed. /strong>

Key messages

• I am honoured that the Prime Minister has entrusted me with a mandate of such importance and significance.
• Canadian communities are fundamentally safe and peaceful places to live, work and play but that doesn’t mean there isn’t more work to do.
• In the days ahead, I look forward to working with the Public Safety portfolio to move forward on keeping people safe while safeguarding Canadians’ rights and freedoms.

Hot Issue Messages

Foreign Interference

• Foreign interference is one of the most critical threats to Canada’s national security.
• The Government has a wide range of tools and authorities to address the many forms of foreign interference, but as the threat evolves, our toolkit must adapt accordingly.
• Our Government launched consultations in March to guide the development of a Canadian-made Foreign Influence Transparency Registry to ensure solutions capture a wide range of expertise, perspectives, views and opinions.
• We received responses from Canadians across the country and engaged with a diverse range of stakeholders, many of whom indicated broad support for a Foreign Influence Transparency Registry.

Firearms

• The Government is committed to protecting the health and safety of Canadians and intends to take further action to combat firearms violence.
• We have introduced practical and targeted measures that will help reduce illegal firearms activities, intimate partner and gender-based violence, and self-harm, support municipalities in tackling handgun violence, and make our communities safer for everyone.
• These measures are part of a broader firearms strategy to increase public safety which includes significant funding to provinces and territories to combat gun and gang violence, and investments in border security to tackle firearms smuggling.

Firearms Buyback Program

• In May 2020, our Government prohibited approximately 2,000 models of assault-style firearms.
• The Government will provide compensation for prohibited firearms or will cover costs to permanently deactivate these firearms.
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C-21 (Firearms)

• Our Government introduced Bill C-21 in May 2022 as part of a comprehensive approach to address firearms violence and control. This bill represents the most significant changes to gun control legislation in more than 40 years.
• The Bill introduces a national freeze on the sale, purchase and transfer of handguns into law.
• The Bill also includes significant measures to:
  • address the alarming role of guns in gender-based violence through red and yellow flag laws;
  • strengthen border controls by increasing maximum penalties for gun traffickers;
  • create authorities to combat firearms smuggling, trafficking and related offences;
  • establish new firearm-related offences and strengthened penalties;
  • add a new technical definition to the definition of “prohibited firearm” in the Criminal Code; and
  • address the growing threat of illegally manufactured firearms – otherwise known as “ghost guns.”

Gun Smuggling

• Our Government committed $35.7 million over five years starting in 2021-22 (plus $6.8M ongoing) for the CBSA to fight gun smuggling and enhance capacity to support firearms-related legislative, regulatory and policy development. This is in addition to the $92.9 million allocated to the CBSA from 2018-19 to 2023-24 under the Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence.
• These investments and efforts have been paying off. In 2022, the CBSA seized more than 1,100 firearms and 24,400 weapons (same as 2021 and more than double the number from 2020).
• The work goes beyond seizures at the border. Since January 1, 2020, the CBSA has opened well over 100 criminal investigations into firearms issues. Many investigations are ongoing and charges are before the courts.

Indigenous Policing and Community Safety

• Our Government is committed to continuing to advance reconciliation and renewing our nation-to-nation relationship based on mutual respect, cooperation and partnership.
• That’s why we have made unprecedented investments in the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP), which provides funding for professional, dedicated and culturally responsive policing services to First Nations and Inuit communities.
• It’s also why we remain steadfast in our commitment to introduce federal legislation that recognizes First Nations police services as an essential service. We will continue to engage with First Nations, provinces and territories and other key partners to strengthen the FNIPP, to co-develop a legislative framework for First Nations policing.

 Mass Casualty Commission

• The shootings in Nova Scotia shocked us all. It’s important that we learn from this tragedy and do everything we can to prevent something like this from happening again.
• Our government recognizes the importance of continuing the work the Commission has started, and begin the next phase of healing.
• We are committed to working in collaboration with Nova Scotia and other partners to review the report in its totality, in order to advance the findings of the Commission.
• On May 31, 2023, Linda Lee Oland was appointed as Founding Chair of the Progress Monitoring Committee (PMC), who will monitor the implementation of the Commission’s key findings by fostering discussion and relationships, liaising with provinces and territories, building consensus among partners, and seeking opportunities to support the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia’s work to build safer communities.

RCMP Reform

• Our Government is committed to addressing the recommendations from the Mass Casualty Commission.
• As part of his commitment to meet the expectations of Canadians and employees, the RCMP Commissioner recently announced the creation of a new sector dedicated to reform, accountability and culture change. 
• This sector will lead the RCMP response to the Mass Casualty Commission final report and recommendations, and those from other significant external reviews — taking a holistic, organization-wide approach. In keeping with current practices, the RCMP will report publicly on progress. 
• Our Government also introduced Bill C-20 - An Act establishing the Public Complaints and Review Commission and amending certain Acts and statutory instruments -  in May 2022 to expand accountability and transparency of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canada Border Services Agency through the establishment of an enhanced independent review body.
• This enhanced independent review body, the Public Complaints and Review Commission (PCRC), would help assure Canadians that they can continue to expect consistent, fair, and equal treatment when receiving services from the RCMP and the CBSA.

Transfer of High-Profile Offenders

• Canadians rightly expect our criminal justice system to respectfully acknowledge that victims of crime, survivors, and their families, are treated with courtesy, compassion, and respect, and that their rights are properly considered at all stages of the criminal justice process.
• More can be done to ensure victims’ rights are considered earlier, as part of the decision-making process. Using a victim-sensitive approach in the decision-making process is essential.
• On July 20th, Minister Mendicino, as Minister of Public Safety, issued a direction to the CSC regarding changes as to how and when it provides notification regarding the transfer of offenders, particularly in the case of high-profile offenders.

Immigration detention

• Detention is used as a measure of last resort, often in cases of serious criminality and only after all alternatives have been considered.
• Since 2016, the CBSA has cut the detention population in half and increased the number of people enrolled in alternatives to detention.
• The vast majority of arrivals are not subject to any detention. In 2022-23, over 22.8M foreign nationals entered the country and only 0.02% (5,246) were subject to detention. As of June 22, 2023:
  • over 97% (12,604) are enrolled in alternatives to detention
  • 1.6% (221) are in an immigration holding centre
  • less than 1% (70) are in a provincial correctional facility

Agreements with Provinces

• About three-quarters of the people held in provincial correctional facilities are inadmissible for reasons of serious criminality. This means the person has been convicted of an offence such as sexual offences, violence, weapons or drug trafficking, in Canada or abroad.
• CBSA is looking at emergency contingency planning to manage individuals in those provinces who pose a risk to public safety.
• We will continue to work closely with provinces until the transition of all high-risk detainees into CBSA custody is complete, to ensure their humane and dignified treatment and preserve public safety.

Admissibility

• The CBSA facilitates the flow of legitimate travel and trade into Canada and enforces more than 100 acts and regulations that keep our communities safe.
• The CBSA assesses the security risk and admissibility of all travellers seeking entry to Canada. All travellers may be subject to a more in-depth exam.
• Admissibility of foreign nationals is decided case-by-case and is based on the information made available at the time of entry.

Removals

• The CBSA has a legal obligation to remove all foreign nationals and permanent residents who are inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
• The decision to remove someone from Canada is not taken lightly. The Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) determines when a person is admissible or whether to issue a removal order.
• All individuals who are subject to removal have access to due process and procedural fairness. The CBSA only actions a removal order once all avenues of recourse have been exhausted.

Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) / Asylum seekers

• It is illegal to enter between ports of entry and it is not safe. Asylum seekers should cross the border at designated ports of entry. The Safe Third Country Agreement now applies to the entire land border.
• People who do not meet a STCA exception, or are otherwise determined ineligible, will be removed to the U.S.
• If the refugee claim is eligible, the person's file will be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) for consideration and the person will be authorized to enter Canada to pursue their claim.

Flagpoling

• Flagpoling is the practice whereby foreign nationals, who hold temporary resident status in Canada, leave Canada and immediately re-enter for the purpose of obtaining same-day immigration services at a port of entry.
• Within Canada, IRCC offers a variety of services for foreign nationals who hold temporary resident status.
• The CBSA encourages individuals to apply online through IRCC’s website to decrease the reliance on flagpoling at land borders.

Drugs

• The CBSA plays a direct role in protecting Canadian communities by stopping the illegal movement of controlled substances and precursor chemicals across our borders. 
• In 2022, the CBSA seized 41,475.5 kg of illegal drugs, including 3,084 kg of Cocaine, 398 kg of Heroin, and 4 kg of Fentanyl.
• We work closely with our law enforcement partners, and our officers are vigilant when it comes to ensuring that our borders are not used for illegal activities. 

ArriveCAN

• ArriveCAN was developed during an extraordinary time and on an emergency basis. It was an effective and necessary tool to collect mandatory health information while facilitating travel.
• The app saved 60 million travellers the 5 minutes it took to collect mandatory health information prior to the app and costs were less than $1 per traveller passage. Once health measures were lifted, the use of the app became voluntary.
• The Agency is currently using the app for Advance Declaration, an optional feature that allows travellers to make their customs and immigration declaration up to 72 hours before arriving in Canada and save time at the airport.

Advanced Declaration

• As of July 10, 2023 the Advance Declaration feature has been used over 4.5M times.
• Advance Declaration is available for international travellers arriving at ten major Canadian airports. It will be expanded to land ports of entry in the future.
• Early usage data shows that using the optional Advance Declaration reduces the amount of time a traveller spends at a Primary Inspection kiosk or gate by roughly one third. With the thousands of travellers that fly into Canada each day, the Advance Declaration feature has the potential of saving hundreds of hours of processing time.

Traveller Modernization

• The CBSA is developing new digital tools and technologies to improve and expedite the traveller experience without compromising the safety and security of our border. Traveller Modernization includes:
• a digital, self-service option for travellers that will allow them to meet most of their border-related obligations prior to their arrival. Self-service options will improve the border experience for travellers and will give the Agency greater flexibility in the delivery of services, including at remote locations.
• a new traveller processing system for officers that will improve their experience and better support their decision-making by consolidating many aging systems and giving them access to more data analytics on passages.

NEXUS

• The CBSA has delivered on its commitment to reopen all NEXUS enrolment centres in Canadian airports, which expanded the program’s capacity and is helping the thousands of travellers who request memberships each month get their cards faster.
• There continues to be an inventory of applications as result of COVID. However, the outstanding requests have been decreased by 21% since summer 2022.
• The length of the application process differs for new and renewing members:
• most renewing members will be processed quickly as they were previously risk-assessed and will receive an updated membership card without the need for an interview.
• processing timelines from one new applicant to another may vary between the CBSA and US CBP. It may take up to 12-14 months to complete for certain cases.
• Applicants have three options to book their interviews:
• an interview at a Canadian airport enrolment centre followed by an interview at a U.S. preclearance location in a Canadian airport.
• a joint interview with CBSA and U.S. CBP officers at a land enrolment centre in the U.S.
• a two-step interview at land enrolment centres, with interviews conducted at adjacent Canadian and U.S. land enrolment centres on the same day.

CARM

• The Canada Border Services Agency Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) is a multi-phase project to modernize the collection of duties and taxes for goods imported into Canada.
• Introducing a digital solution will reduce the risks associated with using legacy IT systems and facilitate better compliance.
• Once fully implemented, CARM will allow Canadian businesses to process transactions online. It will help to protect and grow the over $757 billion in trade and more than $34 billion in revenue collected at the border each year.

Key Contacts

Shawn Tupper , Deputy Minister, Public Safety Canada /strong>
Office: 613-991-2895
Cell : [REDACTED]
Email: Shawn.tupper@ps-sp.gc.ca

Tricia Geddes, Associate Deputy Minister, Public Safety Canada
Office: 613-949-0322
Cell : [REDACTED]
Email: Tricia.geddes@ps-sp.gc.ca

Mike Duheme , Commissioner, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Office: 613-823-4627
Cell : [REDACTED]
Email: mike.duheme@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Erin O’Gorman , President, Canada Border Services Agency
Office: 613-957-0612
Cell : [REDACTED]
Email: Erin.O’Gorman@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

David Vigneault, Director, Canadian Security Intelligence Service
Office: 613-842-1200
Cell : [REDACTED]
Email: vigneaultd@smtp.gc.ca

Anne Kelly, Commissioner, Correctional Service of Canada/strong>
Office: 613-995-5781
Cell : [REDACTED]
Email: Anne.Kelly@csc-scc.gc.ca

Jennifer Oades, Chairperson, Parole Board of Canada
Office: 613-954-1154
Cell : [REDACTED]
Email: Jennifer.Oades@pbc-clcc.gc.ca

Public Safety Policy Contact
Shannon Grainger, Assistant Deputy Minister, Portfolio Affairs and Communications Branch
Office: 613-949-6435
Cell : [REDACTED]
Email: Shannon.Grainger@ps-sp.gc.ca

Public Safety Concierge Contacts
Patrick Amyot, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Security Officer and Assistant Deputy Minister
Office: 613-990-2615
Email: Patrick.Amyot@ps-sp.gc.ca

Jill McIntosh, A/Director General, Corporate Services
Office: 613-614-770411
Email: Jill.McIntosh@ps-sp.gc.ca

Date modified:

2023-11-23