Operating Context and Key Risks
Public Safety Canada operates in an ever-changing environment with a wide array of internal and external factors that have the potential to significantly affect the Department’s operations and programs. As a result, the Department requires a high level of adaptability and flexibility, and must remain at the forefront of threats and developments that can affect its ability to deliver on its broad mandate and results for Canadians.
The evolution in the variety and impact of cyber threats, the profound influence that the digital environment has on the economy and the rapid emergence of technologies are driving the development of a new approach to cyber security in Canada. Addressing this issue requires federal leadership on cyber security, clear roles, responsibilities and accountabilities, as well as measures to improve the security and resilience of Canadian vital assets and systems.
Terrorist threats and incidents have emphasized the importance for Canada to advance its efforts to counter radicalization to violence. Public Safety Canada and its partners will increasingly collaborate to strengthen and coordinate initiatives across the country to address this issue. Given the evolving nature of security threats, Canada’s national security framework must keep pace with complex challenges—while safeguarding Canadian’s rights and freedoms, and ensuring transparency and accountability.
Organized crime groups are sophisticated, adaptable, complex and transnational in nature. Responses must therefore be multifaceted to combat them, and other criminal groups, at the national and international levels. In order to advance mandate commitments, Public Safety Canada will continue to collaborate with its partners on efforts to legalize, regulate and restrict access to cannabis. In addition, efforts will be made to better align key programs and services to address gaps in access to vulnerable and at-risk populations, increase community safety and promote the successful reintegration of federal offenders.
In addition, natural disasters, and emergency events are resulting in greater damages and expenses. The 2017 floods have underscored the need to modernize Canada’s approach to emergency management, in order to better manage disasters and emergencies in an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving environment. This requires the collaboration of federal, provincial, territorial and municipal partners, as well as Indigenous peoples, to mitigate, respond to and recover from emergencies resulting in safer and more resilient communities.
Finally, an increased focus on results and delivery is shaping Public Safety Canada’s program and policy work. Greater emphasis is being placed measuring, tracking and reporting on the outcomes of programs, and on the delivery of departmental initiatives to ensure value for money and generate data that proves meaningful for Canadians.
| Risk | Risk Response Strategy |
Link to Core Responsibilities |
Link to the mandate letter commitments or to government-wide or departmental priorities |
|---|---|---|---|
Government Operations Centre Infrastructure (GOC) There is a risk that the Government Operations Centre (GOC) infrastructure may be unable to support a coordinated response to large-scale or multiple and concurrent events affecting the national interest. |
Strategy 1 |
Emergency Management |
Mandate Letter commitments: To lead our government’s work in ensuring we are keeping Canadians safe. Strengthen community resilience to emergencies in collaboration with provinces and territories, Indigenous communities and municipalities. |
Critical Infrastructure There is a risk that a major cyber incident impacting a vital cyber system may go undetected, unreported or unresolved, contributing to the subsequent compromise of critical infrastructure. |
Strategy 1 Strategy 2 Strategy 3 Strategy 4 |
National Security |
Mandate letter commitment: Lead a review of existing measures to protect Canadians and our critical infrastructure from cyber-threats Public Safety Canada Corporate Priority: Advance the federal government’s efforts in protecting Canadians and Canada’s critical infrastructure from cyber threats and cybercrime |
Emergency Management There is a risk that the current approach to emergency management may not be able to sustain the increasing risk, cost and complexity of disasters. |
Strategy 1 |
Emergency Management |
Minister’s mandate letter: Work with provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, and municipalities to develop a comprehensive action plan that that allows Canada to better predict, prepare for and respond to weather-related emergencies and natural disasters. Public Safety Canada Corporate Priority: Strengthen community resilience to emergencies in collaboration with provinces and territories, Indigenous communities and municipalities. |
Workplace Wellness There is a risk that workload pressures could negatively affect progress made to improve workplace wellness, culture and retention. |
Strategy 1 Strategy 3 |
National Security |
Government-wide priorities: Federal Public Service Mental Health Strategy; Public Service Employee Survey; and Federal Public Service Mental Health Strategy Public Safety Canada Corporate Priority: Continue to strengthen an ethical and values-based departmental culture focused on respect and people-centered practices, mental health, and workplace wellness |
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