Countering Crime

Public Safety Canada provides federal policy leadership, coordination and program support on many activities related to crime prevention, law enforcement, and the rehabilitation of criminals. The intent is to reduce crime by collaborating with federal, provincial and territorial partners to design and deliver national programs that are specific and appropriate to regions and communities. The programs delivered through these partnerships help provide the tools, education and support to effectively reduce, deter and prevent crime in Canada.

Policing

Public Safety Canada works with national and international partners on policy, legislation, strategies and research. Through these partnerships, Public Safety Canada leads and coordinates efforts to counter crime.

Aboriginal Policing

Public Safety Canada provides broad policy advice on Aboriginal policing, public safety and justice issues. The department partners with provinces, territories and communities to support the delivery of policing services that are professional, dedicated and responsive.

Crime Prevention

Public Safety Canada provides national leadership on effective and cost-effective ways to prevent and reduce crime. The Department provides tools, knowledge resources and support in communities large and small across Canada so they can intervene and reduce factors related to criminal behaviour.

Corrections

Public Safety Canada is responsible for developing legislation and policies governing corrections, implementing innovative approaches to community justice, and providing research expertise and resources to the corrections community. The Department works in conjunction with other federal departments and agencies, including Justice Canada, Foreign Affairs Trade and Development Canada, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, as well as federal and provincial correctional and parole authorities.

Organized Crime

Public Safety Canada's role in the fight against organized crime is one of policy development and coordination. It brings together law enforcement agencies with federal, provincial and territorial partners to develop unified strategies and policies, ensuring a direct link between the law enforcement community and public policy makers. Public Safety Canada also ensures a high level of policy coordination with international partners.

Illicit Drugs

Public Safety Canada is working in close collaboration with other departments and agencies to tackle illicit drug issues. Public Safety Canada also continues to work in partnership with its provincial, territorial and municipal law enforcement counterparts to reduce the supply of, and demand for, illicit drugs.

Contraband Tobacco

Public Safety Canada is continuing to address the issue of contraband tobacco on a national level in collaboration with provincial governments and police services, Aboriginal communities and industry stakeholders. Public Safety Canada provides support and leadership in the development of policies, programs, regulations and legislation that helps disrupt and reduce the trade in contraband tobacco.

Child Sexual Exploitation on the Internet

Through leadership, coordination and funding, Public Safety Canada helps support the development of strategies, programs and projects that combat child sexual exploitation on the Internet. Additionally, support for research, evaluation and training is provided to the organizations leading these programs and projects.

Human Trafficking

Public Safety Canada's efforts to combat human trafficking are guided by the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children. Through a four pillar approach, the government seeks to prevent trafficking from occurring, protect victims of human trafficking, bring perpetrators to justice and build partnerships domestically and internationally.

Human Smuggling

Public Safety Canada is committed to cracking down on human smuggling and other abuses of Canada's immigration system. Under the Protecting Canada's Immigration System Act, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness can designate the arrival of a group of persons into Canada as irregular, and make those involved subject to the Act's measures. These measures make it easier for officials to investigate irregular migrants, human smugglers and those who provide them transportation.

Gun Crime and Firearms

The Investments to Combat the Criminal Use of Firearms (ICCUF) Initiative was established in 2004 to improve the national collection, analysis and sharing of firearms-related intelligence and information to enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies to counter gun crime and the illicit movement of firearms. It operates as a horizontal federal initiative, involving the Department of Public Safety Canada and the portfolio agencies of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Criminal Intelligence Service Canada (CISC) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

As an ICCUF Initiative partner, the role of the Department of Public Safety Canada is to provide advice to the Minister and to conduct research in support of the development of policy and operational approaches and strategies.