Parliamentary Committee Notes: Criminal Investigations / Security Threats
Issue
The Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security has expressed its intention to discuss the foiled terrorist plot in Toronto. It is expected that members of the Committee will enquire not only on this specific case, but also on the law enforcement and security agencies’ approach to assess any safety and national security concerns within Canada.
Proposed Response
- The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and its partners within the Public Safety Canada Portfolio share the goal of ensuring the safety and security of Canadians and protecting Canadian interests.
Federal Policing National Security (FPNS) Program Mandate
- The RCMP FPNS program provides national oversight and governance of all national security-related criminal investigations, including terrorism, foreign actor interference, and threats to critical infrastructure.
Collaboration with domestic and international partners
- The RCMP shares information with domestic and international partners by using authorities found both in statute and common law, and does so in a manner consistent with applicable laws.
- Information is exchanged with partners based on both a need-to-know, right-to-know basis.
One Vision Framework
- The One Vision framework governs information sharing between CSIS and RCMP. It is the foundation that supports the overall operational relationship while maintaining independence.
- Public safety is the primary principle underpinning the One Vision framework.
Background
The RCMP’s Federal Policing National Security (FPNS) program
Under the Security Offences Act, the RCMP has the primary responsibility for investigating criminal offences that constitute a threat to the security of Canada, including acts of terrorism.
RCMP FPNS provides national oversight and governance of all national security-related criminal investigations, as well as providing strategic and tactical operational support, advice, and direction to investigative teams.
Strategically based across the country, multi-agency Integrated National Security Enforcement Teams (INSETs) comprised of the RCMP and other law enforcement and national security partners at the federal, provincial and municipal levels, investigate and disrupt national security-related criminality. Smaller provinces utilize similar National Security Enforcement Sections (NSESs) for the same purpose. This model allows for local police of jurisdiction across Canada to work directly with national security criminal investigators, providing unified and more effective operations.
Collaboration with Domestic and International Partners
The RCMP shares information with domestic and international partners by using authorities found both in statute and common law, and does so in a manner consistent with Canadian law, including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Avoiding Complicity in Mistreatment by Foreign Entities Act, and the Privacy Act. Additional direction on national security-related cooperation is included in Ministerial Direction. The type and extent of information shared is dependent on the nature of the partner agency, its mandate, operational policy and international and domestic laws.
FPNS routinely receives and shares information and intelligence with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) through the One Vision 3.0 policy framework. One Vision ensures the necessary independence between the respective criminal and intelligence investigations, while also ensuring a functional, operational relationship. Within this framework, public safety is paramount.
The FPNS program also collaborates closely with the Five Eyes law enforcement community and other like-minded partners through intelligence and information sharing regarding threats to the security of Canadians at home and abroad.
Contacts
Prepared by: [REDACTED], Executive Director, Federal Policing
Approved by: [REDACTED], Deputy Commissioner, RCMP Federal Policing
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