Public Safety Canada's 2024 to 2025 Departmental Plan

From the Ministers

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc
P.C., K.C., M.P.
Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan
P.C., O.M.M., M.S.M., C.D., M.P.
President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada

As Ministers overseeing Public Safety Canada's initiatives, we are pleased to present the 2024 to 2025 Departmental Plan. In an era characterized by upheaval and uncertainty in various corners of the globe, as well as more frequent natural disasters, we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Canadians.

Throughout the next year, our efforts will encompass a wide range of evolving threats. That includes threats posed by foreign interference or people espousing violent, extremist views, at a time when conflicts are unfolding around the globe. Following consultations with Canadians, Public Safety Canada is refining a proposal for the creation of a Foreign Influence Transparency Registry. We are also establishing a National Counter-Foreign Interference Coordinator, building on the robust foundation laid in this area over the last number of years.

Our dedication to countering radicalization to violence in the current threat environment is unwavering. The Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence will continue to lead the Government of Canada's efforts to advance the National Strategy on Countering Radicalization to Violence, including through the Community Resilience Fund, with 27 new projects signed and in development for the next fiscal year. Canada will continue to work with international allies, civil society, digital industry, and frontline practitioners, taking a whole-of-society approach to prevent online platforms from being used as tools to incite violence and promote hatred.

Addressing the escalating challenges of cyber threats, this year we will develop and implement a new National Cyber Security Strategy. Collaborating with industry, other orders of Government, and other key stakeholders, our goal is to strengthen the cyber security of all Canadians and Canada's critical infrastructure. In an era of rapidly evolving technology and online engagement, we will also continue to work to address disinformation, as well as fostering trust in our public institutions. In 2024 to 2025 the Department will engage with stakeholders to protect vital assets and systems, including through the renewal of Canada's approach to critical infrastructure. As a result of the significant work to address identified concerns and improve Canada's cyber security posture, including in 5G technology, the Government will continue work following the introduction of Bill C-26, An Act Respecting Cyber Security, intended to promote cyber security across four federally-regulated critical infrastructure sectors.

Following the Royal Assent of Bill C-21, a key part of Canada's plan concerning firearms, Public Safety Canada will continue to work towards the launch of the Firearms Compensation Program for businesses.

We are also dedicated to advancing public safety for Indigenous people. Collaborative efforts with Indigenous partners will continue in order to advance work to recognize First Nations police services as essential services through legislation, implement investments in Indigenous policing and community safety, and advance work on Inuit and Métis community safety priorities. The Department will also continue to address the need for policing reforms, improved inter-jurisdictional collaboration, and holistic approaches to improve community safety. Work will continue to break the cycle of reoffending, to support rehabilitation and safe reintegration, and to address overrepresentation in the justice system. This year, the Department will engage provinces and territories on initiatives of shared interest, while leading work to strengthen linkages with related initiatives, such as the National Action Plan to end Gender-Based Violence.

One of the Department's critical undertakings this year involves a comprehensive assessment of the contract policing program, led by the Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs. This evaluation, conducted in consultation with relevant stakeholders, aims to align policing services with communities' long-term visions. Building on the upcoming completion of the contract policing “What We Heard” report, Public Safety Canada, in conjunction with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, expects to initiate more detailed discussions with contract jurisdictions throughout 2024 to 2025, on the future vision of contract policing across the country, beyond the expiry of the current contracts in 2032.

Keeping people safe also means strengthening emergency management capacity and response expertise – a commitment reinforced by the unprecedented and historic 2023 wildfire season impacting regions across Canada. The Government Operations Centre will continue to support our preparedness for future emergencies with partners across the country, and to lead coordination of the integrated federal response to emergency events in Canada. In 2024 to 2025, construction of the new Government Operations Centre's facility will be complete, with the aim to support a modernized federal approach to emergency preparedness and response, enabling partners to collaborate, learn, engage and practice their functional roles and responsibilities. In collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, the Department will also update, and continue implementing, the joint Federal-Provincial-Territorial Emergency Management Strategy Action Plan.

Following the release of the first National Adaptation Strategy and Government of Canada Adaptation Action Plan, the Department will continue efforts to enhance disaster recovery and resilience, including work to stand up a flood insurance program, aimed at protecting households at high risk of flooding and without access to adequate insurance. The Department will also work with partners in 2024 to 2025 on enhancing the public availability of key data, including flood maps, to ensure that Canadians and their communities have vital information on the risks they may face so that they can better prepare and mitigate against emergencies such as extreme weather. Additionally, the department will work with provincial and territorial governments on implementing a modernized Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements, and will continue to work with all federal partners on a breadth of Emergency Management related activities, such as the work being done on wildfire risk management.

We invite all Canadians to explore this report, to gain insights into Public Safety Canada's plans for the year ahead, and to learn more about our commitment to ensuring the safety of all Canadians.

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc
Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan
President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada

Plans to deliver on core responsibilities and internal services

Core responsibilities and internal services:

National Security

In this section

Description

Public Safety Canada develops policy, legislation and programs to support Canada's capacity to respond to a range of national security threats directed against Canadians, our critical infrastructure and our cyber systems while advancing national counter terrorism efforts.

Quality of life impacts

This core responsibility contributes to the “Good Governance” domain of the Quality of Life Framework for Canada related to “personal safety”, “perceptions of neighbourhood safety”, “confidence in institutions,” and “misinformation/trust in media” through all of the activities mentioned in the core responsibility description.

Results and targets

The following tables show, for each departmental result related to National Security, the indicators, the results from the three most recently reported fiscal years, the targets and target dates approved in 2024 to 2025.

Table 1: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result: National security threats are understood and reduced while maintaining public trust

Indicator

2020 to 2021 resultFootnote 1

2021 to 2022 resultFootnote 2

2022 to 2023 resultFootnote 3

Target

Date to achieve

Canada's ranking on the Global Terrorism Index

56Footnote 4

48Footnote 5

54Footnote 6

≥ 82

March 31, 2025

Percentage of the population who thinks that the Government of Canada respects individual rights and freedoms while ensuring the safety of CanadiansFootnote 7

N/A

N/A

46%Footnote 8

≥ 70%

March 31, 2025

Percentage of the population who thinks that the right mechanisms are in place to identify national security threats in Canada

N/A

57%Footnote 9

63%

≥ 60%

March 31, 2025

Percentage of the population who thinks that the right mechanisms are in place to respond to national security threats in Canada

N/A

69%Footnote 10

63%

≥ 60%

March 31, 2025

Percentage of partners who indicate that Public Safety Canada provided effective policy leadership and operational coordination on national security issues

N/AFootnote 11

76%

55%Footnote 12

≥ 75%

March 31, 2025

Critical Infrastructure Resilience Score

35.84

35.81

34.67

≥ 34.2

March 31, 2025

Percentage of partners who indicate that Public Safety Canada provides effective leadership in advancing Canada's cyber security interests

100%

89%Footnote 13

83%

≥ 80%

March 31, 2025

Canada's ranking in the National Cyber Security IndexFootnote 14

27

37

33

≥ Ranked 30thFootnote 15

March 31, 2025

The financial, human resources and performance information for Public Safety Canada's program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

Plans to achieve results

In 2024 to 2025, Public Safety Canada will seek to achieve its National Security departmental result through advancing the following commitments:

Foreign Interference

Foreign Interference threatens Canada's national security, prosperity and sovereignty, and it can affect all individuals in Canada – from government officials and civil society, to communities, businesses, academia and the media. In 2024 to 2025, Public Safety Canada will engage in numerous efforts to address foreign interference, including:

Countering economic-based threats to national security

In 2024 to 2025, the Department will continue to develop and implement policy to address economic-based threats to national security while maintaining a positive climate for innovation and investment. To achieve this, Public Safety Canada will engage with provinces and territories through a community of practice; and publish a Sensitive Technology List which will inform several key programs and help safeguard sensitive technology against unwanted transfer, which have the potential for injury to national security and defence.

Also, the Department will continue leading the assessment of foreign investments under the national security provisions of the Investment Canada Act, in collaboration with designated investigative bodies across the Government of Canada, as well as implementing amendments to the Act should Bill C-34: An Act to amend the Investment Canada Act, pass into law.

Cyber Security

In 2024 to 2025, Public Safety Canada will advance it's commitment to ensuring Canadian cyber security by:

Other Commitments

In addition, the Department will advance other commitments, including:

Key risks

Public Safety Canada's mission is to build a safe and resilient Canada. Accordingly, the Department must exercise a high level of awareness, engagement and adaptability to keep Canadians safe, maintain a cohesive and coordinated approach to safety and security, and generate results for Canadians while managing a variety of risks. Currently, the Corporate Risk Profile (CRP) comprises of five risks.

There is a risk that Public Safety Canada may not:

A number of controls are currently in place and additional mitigation measures are being implemented to respond to threats to the Department's ability to deliver on its mandate, render timely decisions and achieve intended outcomes. Furthermore, some of the planned initiatives listed in the previous section will help the Department respond to the risks associated with the delivery of Public Safety Canada programs.

Snapshot of planned resources in 2024 to 2025

Related government priorities

Gender-based analysis plus
United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

More information on Public Safety Canada's contributions to Canada's Federal Implementation Plan on the 2030 Agenda and the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy can be found in our Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.

Program inventory

National Security is supported by the following programs:

Supporting information on planned expenditures, human resources, and results related to Public Safety Canada's program inventory is available on GC Infobase.

Community Safety

In this section

Description

Public Safety Canada provides national coordination to help Canadian communities and stakeholders respond to crime and build community resilience, promote the safety and security of Canadian communities and institutions, enhance the integrity of Canada's borders, and support the provision of policing services to Indigenous communities.

Quality of life impacts

This core responsibility contributes to the “Good Governance” domain of the Quality of Life Framework for Canada. More specifically, through the activities outlined in the core responsibility description and planned to achieve its objectives, this core responsibility contributes to the following indicators: “Confidence in institutions,” “Indigenous self-determination”, all but “household emergency preparedness” under the “Safety and Security” sub-domain, and all of the indicators under the “Justice and Human Rights” sub-domain.

Results and targets

The following tables show, for each departmental result related to Community Safety, the indicators, the results from the three most recently reported fiscal years, the targets and target dates approved in 2024 to 2025.

Table 2: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result: Community safety practices are strengthened

Indicator

2020 to 2021 resultFootnote 16

2021 to 2022 resultFootnote 17

2022 to 2023 resultFootnote 18

Target

Date to achieve

Percentage of stakeholders who report consulting Public Safety research or policy documents to inform their decision making

91%

78%

70%

≥ 70%

March 31, 2025

Percentage of stakeholders who report good or very good results of projects funded through Public Safety Canada's Community Resilience Fund, in line with project objectives

92%

85%

84%

≥ 80%

March 31, 2025

Number of new research products available to Canadians on radicalization to violence and efforts to prevent and counter it

40

35

41

≥ 5Footnote 19

March 31, 2025

Number of Canadians who are aware of Government of Canada initiatives to reduce gun violence and new laws and regulations related to firearms in Canada

N/A

N/A

N/A

≥ 2,000,000

March 31, 2025

Table 3: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result: Canadian communities are safe

Indicator

2020 to 2021 resultFootnote 20

2021 to 2022 resultFootnote 21

2022 to 2023 resultFootnote 22

Target

Date to achieve

Crime Severity IndexFootnote 23

73.96Footnote 24

74.90Footnote 25

78.10Footnote 26

≤ 70.1

March 31, 2025

Police-reported crime rate per 100,000 populationFootnote 27

5,301

5,375Footnote 28

5,625Footnote 29

≤ 5,200

March 31, 2025

Percentage of Canadians who think that crime in their neighbourhood has decreasedFootnote 30

6.5%

N/A

N/A

≥ 4%

March 31, 2025

Percentage of Canadians who report driving a vehicle within two hours following cannabis useFootnote 31

19%

21%Footnote 32

23%Footnote 33

≤ 20%

March 31, 2025

Percentage of firearm-related homicides in CanadaFootnote 34

36.6%

37.7%

39.2%

≤ 40%

March 31, 2025

Table 4: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result Crime is prevented and addressed in populations/ communities most at risk

Indicator

2020 to 2021 resultFootnote 35

2021 to 2022 resultFootnote 36

2022 to 2023 resultFootnote 37

Target

Date to achieve

Percentage of projects where participants experienced positive changes in risk and protective factors related to offending

58%Footnote 38

53%Footnote 39

85%Footnote 40

≥ 75%

March 31, 2025

Percentage of programs targeting at-risk populations that achieve the intended participation rate

N/A

67%Footnote 41

77%

≥ 75%

March 31, 2025

Difference between police reported crime in First Nation communities and police reported crime in the rest of CanadaFootnote 42

21,474

21,806Footnote 43

20,399Footnote 44

≤12,000

March 31, 2025

The financial, human resources and performance information for Public Safety Canada's program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

Plans to achieve results

In 2024 to 2025, Public Safety Canada will seek to achieve its Community Safety departmental results through the following commitments:

Firearms and gun control

Public Safety Canada will work with federal partners to support the effective and timely implementation of firearms measures that keep Canadians safe, including those enacted through Bill C-21, which received Royal Assent on December 15, 2023. In addition to developing regulatory proposals to implement certain measures in Bill C-21, including the centralization of Authorizations to Carry, enhanced licence revocation provisions and exemption for Olympic and Paralympic handgun shooting disciplines, the Department will develop an awareness campaign in support of the new “Red Flag” laws. In support of this work, Public Safety Canada will engage with Indigenous partners and external stakeholders.

In 2024 to 2025, Public Safety Canada will also continue work towards the launch of the Firearms Compensation Program (FCP) for businesses. The FCP complements the May 1, 2020 prohibition of assault-style firearms and supports the Government's mandate and commitment to safely and securely remove these firearms from Canadian communities. The FCP will provide impacted firearms businesses access to a user-friendly Web Portal to enable their participation in the Program and receive compensation for turning in their now-prohibited assault-style firearms.

Policing in Indigenous Communities

Supporting the delivery of responsive, dedicated, professional and culturally sensitive Indigenous policing services remains a key commitment for Public Safety Canada. The co-development of First Nations policing legislation, that recognizes First Nations police services as essential services, is critical to addressing Calls to Action related to self-determination from the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and a key component of Public Safety Canada's efforts towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Informed by engagements in Summer 2023, the Department will continue to advance the co-development of the legislation, working in collaboration with First Nation partners.

In 2024 to 2025, Public Safety Canada will also continue to work with provincial and territorial (PT) partners to deliver Budget 2021 investments that aim to support self-administered First Nations and Inuit police services, dedicated community policing by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and other police forces, and to deliver a pilot program for community safety officers. This includes ongoing discussions with PT partners to improve program governance in response to concerns raised by First Nation and Inuit communities. Public Safety Canada will also work to improve the design and delivery of these programs in response to the recommendations of the 2023 to 2024 audit of the Auditor General.

Finally, the Department will continue ongoing collaboration with Métis towards the co-development of a Justice and Policing Sub-Accord, as per the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan, and will work with Inuit groups to define Inuit-specific policing and community safety priorities.

Law Enforcement Reform

The Department will continue to advance policing reforms, improve interjurisdictional collaboration, and support holistic approaches to improve community safety. A key driver of these efforts are the final reports of the Public Order Emergency Commission (POEC) and the Mass Casualty Commission (MCC), which were released in 2023, as well as the ongoing review of the Contract Policing program.

Following the finalization and publication of a “What we heard” report related to the Contract Policing assessment, the Department will prepare for the next phase of engagement anticipated for Summer/Fall 2024, which will entail more detailed discussions around program vision post 2032 with contract jurisdictions. The Department will also review and determine, in collaboration with the RCMP, a way forward to address the recommendations outlined in the Final report of the POEC and the MCC Final Report. These recommendations were broad and outlined the need for critical law enforcement reform, including improving policing of public order events, crisis management and critical incident response, internal and external communications and documentation, police culture and where law enforcement fits within the wider community safety cadre.

In addition, Public Safety Canada will continue to work, alongside the RCMP, with jurisdictions that have served notice to terminate their Municipal Police Service Agreements in order to establish their own independent police services, including Surrey, British Columbia and Grande Prairie, Alberta by establishing governance structures and processes to oversee the joint planning and implementation of the police transitions.

National Strategy to Counter Radicalization to Violence

The Department will continue to support three key priority areas in the National Strategy on Countering Radicalization to Violence (CRV): building, sharing and using knowledge; addressing radicalization to violence in the online space; and supporting front-line interventions through the Community Resilience Fund.

Key to advancing these priorities will be in the execution of a renewed Stakeholder Engagement Plan to best inform policy and research efforts aimed at addressing radicalization to violence online and offline. The Plan will be achieved through leadership and engagement of Canadian fora and working groups, including the National Expert Committee on CRV; international advocacy and leadership, including through active engagement with the Christchurch Call to Eliminate Terrorist and Violent Extremist Content and the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism; and, improved awareness and collaboration.

Other Commitments

In addition, the Department will advance other commitments, including:

Key risks

Public Safety Canada's mission is to build a safe and resilient Canada. Accordingly, the Department must exercise a high level of awareness, engagement and adaptability to keep Canadians safe, maintain a cohesive and coordinated approach to safety and security, and generate results for Canadians while managing a variety of risks. Currently, the Corporate Risk Profile (CRP) comprises of five risks.

There is a risk that Public Safety Canada may not:

A number of controls will be in place and additional mitigation measures will be implemented to respond to threats to the Department's ability to deliver on its mandate, render timely decisions and achieve intended outcomes. Furthermore, some of the planned initiatives listed in the previous section will help the Department respond to the risks associated with the delivery of Public Safety Canada programs.

Snapshot of planned resources in 2024 to 2025

Related government priorities

Gender-based analysis plus
United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

More information on Public Safety Canada's contributions to Canada's Federal Implementation Plan on the 2030 Agenda and the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy can be found in our Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.

Program inventory

Community Safety is supported by the following programs:

Supporting information on planned expenditures, human resources, and results related to Public Safety Canada's program inventory is available on GC Infobase.

Emergency Management

In this section

Description

Public Safety Canada works to strengthen national emergency management to help prevent, mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from all-hazards events. Public Safety Canada provides resources and expertise to Canadian communities in support of emergency preparedness, disaster mitigation and recovery.

Quality of life impacts

This core responsibility contributes to the “Environment” and “Good governance” domains of the Quality of Life Framework for Canada and, more specifically, “Climate change adaptation,” and “Natural disasters and emergencies” (Environment) and “Household emergency preparedness” (Good Governance) through all of the activities mentioned in the core responsibility description.

Results and targets

The following tables show, for each departmental result related to Emergency Management, the indicators, the results from the three most recently reported fiscal years, the targets and target dates approved in 2024 to 2025.

Table 5: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result: Canada can effectively mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from all-hazards events

Indicator

2020 to 2021 resultFootnote 45

2021 to 2022 resultFootnote 46

2022 to 2023 resultFootnote 47

Target

Date to achieve

Percentage of stakeholders who participated in a Government Operations Centre-led exercise indicating the exercise program assisted their organization's preparedness

85%

83%

83%

≥ 80%

March 31, 2025

Percentage of hazards assessed through the National Risk Profile for which Government of Canada response plans are in place or in development

N/A

N/A

83%Footnote 48

90%Footnote 49

March 31, 2025

Percentage of Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements events for which provinces and territories have reported mitigation measures to prepare for, respond to, and recover from future natural disastersFootnote 50

48%

51%Footnote 51

51%Footnote 52

≥ 65%

March 31, 2025

Percentage of Canadians who are aware of risks facing their household

52%

91%Footnote 53

92%

≥ 60%

March 31, 2025

Percentage of Canadians who have taken measures to respond to risks facing their household

11%

25%Footnote 54

29%Footnote 55

≥ 50%

March 31, 2025

Percentage of stakeholders who indicate that the Government Operations Centre provided effective leadership and coordination for events affecting the national interest

98%

90%

92%

≥ 90%

March 31, 2025

Percentage of stakeholders who indicate that the Government Operations Centre's processes, products and tools were useful in responding to an emergency

N/A

N/AFootnote 56

89%

≥ 80%

March 31, 2025

Percentage of events that required the coordination of a federal response for which after-action activities were completed by the Government Operations Centre

N/A

N/A

100%

100%

March 31, 2025

The financial, human resources and performance information for Public Safety Canada's program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

Plans to achieve results

In 2024 to 2025, Public Safety Canada will seek to achieve its emergency management departmental result through the following commitments:

Building Pan-Canadian Flood Resilience

Public Safety Canada will work with provinces and territories to enhance pan-Canadian flood resilience, including by developing and implementing Budget 2023 commitments to stand-up a low-cost flood insurance program and provide Canadians with information on their flood hazard and risk. The insurance program will consist of a federal reinsurance product and affordability subsidy, aimed at protecting households at high risk of flooding. In 2024 to 2025, the federal government will initiate a Federal-Provincial-Territorial Deputy Minister-level committee to advance this work. In addition, the Department, with the Department of Finance Canada, will engage with industry on solutions to earthquake insurance and other evolving climate-related insurance market challenges.

Public Safety Canada will also continue working with Statistics Canada and Natural Resources Canada to develop the Flood Risk Awareness Portal. This Portal will provide centralized access to flood risk information across Canada that is based on by both hazard (flood extent) and risk (consequence, impact and exposure) and will share this information, as well as actionable guidance and resources that motivate behavioural change and inform risk reduction decision-making by Canadians. The Department will employ effective communication of flood risks to Canadians through appropriate knowledge translation, in collaboration with other government departments. It is anticipated that the Portal will be accessible in 2025.

Modernizing the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements

The Disaster Financial Assistance Agreements (DFAA) Renewal is a modernization of the 1970 DFAA program, which provides funding to province and territories for large-scale disasters caused by natural hazards. All provinces and territories are responsible for designing and delivering disaster financial assistance in their jurisdictions. The modernization will better enable the program to address the rapidly evolving climate and natural hazard landscape by cost sharing with provinces and territories actions taken to support disaster survivors, in particular vulnerable populations, mitigation, risk reduction and helping build community resilience.

In Spring 2024, Public Safety Canada will release the new program guidelines to provinces and territories and will work closely with provincial and territorial partners to update their disaster financial assistance programs in anticipation of the new program launch on April 1, 2025.

Advancing National Critical Communication Capabilities

Canada's National Public Alerting System (NPAS) is a key emergency response capability that protects the lives of Canadians, supporting strengthened governance, coordination and integration across all hazards. In 2024 to 2025, the Department will collaborate with PTs to strengthen the overall use, sustainability, continuity of service and governance of the NPAS.

The GOC will also continue to develop federal capability to notify Canadians of emergencies through the NPAS, with priority on testing of the Missile Warning Protocol, and leverage the FPT Senior Officials Responsible for Emergency Management table to develop solutions. This initiative helps Canadians respond to and mitigate the impacts of dangers through timely notifications to the public.

Renewing Canada's Emergency Management Strategy

The Emergency Management Strategy for Canada: Toward a Resilient 2030 (EM Strategy) is Canada's way of meeting its commitments under the United Nations Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015 to 2030). In order to deliver on the EM Strategy, in 2024 to 2025, Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) governments will update the FPT Action Plan, which intends to demonstrate how FPT governments are preparing for future emergencies, including extreme weather events caused by climate change, by focusing on proactive prevention/mitigation efforts while ensuring robust response and recovery capabilities.

In 2024 to 2025, Public Safety Canada will also complete the work begun in 2023 to 2024 related to the National Risk Profile (NRP) to assess impacts with relation to heat events, hurricanes, and space weather, as well as the current and targeted state of emergency management capabilities. The findings of the NRP provide a picture of the risks facing Canada and shed light on how the current emergency management system is able to reduce and cope with disaster risks. In the long term, this evidence base would inform whole of society actions to support effective decision-making and investments for ensuring a safer, more resilient Canada. Public Safety Canada continues to review best practices and lessons learned from the first two rounds of risk and capability assessments to inform future methodological and reporting approaches.

Future of Emergency Management

The Government Operations Centre (GOC) is working to modernize the federal EM planning approach, leveraging national and international best practices, and which will better prepare the federal government to support the provinces and territories during emergency response. Renewing the Federal Emergency Response Plan (FERP) will ensure alignment with and preparedness for future events, define requirements for implementing an up to date federal preparedness and response system, and is currently in development in consultation with federal partners. Developing and implementing a Federal Strategy for Emergency Management Information Technology and establishing a federal functional community of practice to build and support a professional emergency management workforce are essential to fully support federal preparedness and response capacity and capability in the face of the significant increase in scope and frequency of emergencies in Canada.

Other Commitments

In addition, the Department will advance other commitments, including:

Key risks

Public Safety Canada's mission is to build a safe and resilient Canada. Accordingly, the Department must exercise a high level of awareness, engagement and adaptability to keep Canadians safe, maintain a cohesive and coordinated approach to safety and security, and generate results for Canadians while managing a variety of risks. Currently, the Corporate Risk Profile (CRP) comprises of five risks.

There is a risk that Public Safety Canada may not:

A number of controls will be in place and additional mitigation measures will be implemented to respond to threats to the Department's ability to deliver on its mandate, render timely decisions and achieve intended outcomes. Furthermore, some of the planned initiatives listed in the previous section will help the Department respond to the risks associated with the delivery of Public Safety Canada programs.

Snapshot of planned resources in 2024 to 2025

Related government priorities

Gender-based analysis plus
United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

More information on Public Safety Canada's contributions to Canada's Federal Implementation Plan on the 2030 Agenda and the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy can be found in our Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.

Program inventory

Emergency Management is supported by the following programs:

Supporting information on planned expenditures, human resources, and results related to Public Safety Canada's program inventory is available on GC Infobase.

Internal services

In this section

Description

Internal services are the services that are provided within a department so that it can meet its corporate obligations and deliver its programs. There are 10 categories of internal services:

Plans to achieve results

In 2024 to 2025, Public Safety Canada will focus on the following commitments under its internal services in order to ensure effective delivery of its programs and the ability to meet its corporate obligations:

Diversity and Inclusion

In 2024 to 2025, Public Safety Canada will continue to advance its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by implementing the departmental Strategic Framework on Diversity and Inclusion, by:

People Management

Recruitment of new employees, and retention and successful talent management of existing employees is central to maintaining a productive and competitive workplace that can fulfil the department's mandate. In 2024 to 2025, Public Safety Canada will continue to build its people management capacity by:

Health and Safety

A key factor of a productive and competitive workplace is the mental health, wellness and safety of its employees. In 2024 to 2025, the Department will advance the following efforts to address employee mental health, wellness and safety:

Digital and Data Strategy Implementation

The Government of Canada released the 2023 to 2026 Data Strategy for the Federal Public Service. In addition to setting new priorities and goals, the 2023-2026 Data Strategy outlines expectations for the federal public service to ensure effective governance and use of data across government over the next three years. To implement these new priorities and goals, Public Safety Canada will develop and implement a Public Safety Canada Data Strategy Framework.

Public Safety Canada will launch the Open Data and Information Plan and Process in Spring 2024. The plan will focus on automating the process for submitting and approving the publication of Data and Information on the Open Government portal. The plan will also develop awareness, communication, and training on the role of employees in the management of data. These efforts will facilitate the publication of data and information, thereby improving data transparency and availability for the Canadian public.

Snapshot of planned resources in 2024 to 2025

Related government priorities

Planning for contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses

5% reporting field

2022 to 2023 actual result

2023 to 2024 forecasted result

2024 to 2025 planned result

Total percentage of contracts with Indigenous businesses

11.83%

10%

10%

Public Safety Canada plans on contracting with Indigenous businesses in support of achieving the mandatory minimum target of 5% as announced by the federal government. In 2024 to 2025, the Department anticipates that 10% of its contracts will be awarded to Indigenous businesses, and aims to achieve this target through the following activities:

Public Safety Canada has six (6) Standing Offers valued up to $2 million each that were set-aside under the mandatory Set-Aside Program for Indigenous Business for workshop delivery of the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative. Under these Standing Offers, facilitators deliver strategic planning workshops and provide support to communities in the development of Community Safety Plans, which Indigenous communities use to foster safer communities in a culturally relevant manner. The Department anticipates that additional standing offers will be awarded for regions not covered under the six (6) standing offers noted above, such as Nunavut and regions covered under Canada's Land Claim Agreements.

The Department also has a standing offer for translation that has been set aside according to the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business program which has continuously contributed to the department exceeding the 5% objective.

Additionally, Public Safety Canada promotes Indigenous business by requiring its contracting officers to invite at least one Indigenous business when using Mandatory Supply Arrangements or Standing Offers. This initiative creates more opportunities for Indigenous businesses with an objective of surpassing predicted numbers by enabling more incidental contracts.

To further ensure that Public Safety Canada has the knowledge required in meeting this continued objective, all delegated procurement officers, new and existing, are required to complete the “Indigenous Considerations in Procurement” course and the “Procurement in the Nunavut Settlement Area” course offered by the Canada School of Public Service as part of ongoing development and training. 

Planned spending and human resources

This section provides an overview of Public Safety Canada's planned spending and human resources for the next three fiscal years and compares planned spending for 2024 to 2025 with actual spending from previous years.

In this section

Spending

The following chart summarizes Public Safety Canada's planned spending by core responsibility.

Figure 1: Spending by core responsibility in 2024 to 2025

Image description

The chart illustrates the Department's planned spending for the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year by showing planned spending for each core responsibility in dollars and in percentages. Community Safety represents 819,103,631 dollars or 51 per cent of the total 1,605,273,828 dollars of Departmental planned spending. Emergency Management represents 42 per cent with 673,516,974 dollars in planned spending; Internal Services represents 5 per cent of the Department's planned spending with 78,199,231 dollars; and National Security represents 2 per cent of the planned spending with 34,453,992 dollars.

The following table shows information on spending for each of Public Safety Canada's core responsibilities and for its internal services for the previous three fiscal years. Amounts for the current fiscal year are forecasted based on spending to date.

Table 6: Actual spending summary for core responsibilities and internal services ($ dollars)

Core responsibilities and internal services

2021 to 2022 actual expenditures

2022 to 2023 actual expenditures

2023 to 2024 forecast spending

National Security

30,906,207

30,558,635

35,473,137

Community Safety

363,886,409

604,938,317

 1,009,006,845

Emergency Management

606,967,880

2,597,607,778

1,853,931,740

Subtotal

1,001,760,496

3,233,104,730

2,898,411,722

Internal services

65,899,315

78,468,701

86,739,388

Total

1,067,659,811

3,311,573,431

2,985,151,110

The 2023 to 2024 Forecasted Spending is $326 million lower than the 2022 to 2023 Expenditures. This decrease is mainly attributable to a decrease in funding levels for the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) ($698.7 million), which is primarily offset by one year funding to be received in 2023 to 2024 in support of the Newfoundland Adult Corrections Facility Project ($150 million) and increases in funding levels in 2023 to 2024 for the First Nations and Inuit Policing Facilities Program ($47.2 million), the Memorial Grant Program ($35.7 million) and the Building Safer Communities Fund ($26.3 million).

The following table shows information on spending for each of Public Safety Canada's core responsibilities and for its internal services for the upcoming three fiscal years.

Table 7: Budgetary planning summary for core responsibilities and internal services (dollars)

Core responsibilities and internal services

2024 to 2025 budgetary spending (as indicated in Main Estimates)

2024 to 2025 planned spending

2025 to 2026 planned spending

2026 to 2027 planned spending

National Security

34,453,992

34,453,992

32,063,849

32,103,492

Community Safety

 819,103,631

 819,103,631

 674,509,064

 592,716,618

Emergency Management

673,516,974

673,516,974

 211,966,867

 158,778,520

Subtotal

1,527,074,597

1,527,074,597

918,539,780

783,598,630

Internal services

78,199,231

78,199,231

73,896,183

69,685,558

Total

1,605,273,828

1,605,273,828

992,435,963

853,284,188

The decrease of $752.0 million (47%) in planned spending between 2024 to 2025 and 2026 to 2027 is mainly attributable to a decrease in payments under the Disaster Financial Assistance Agreements (DFAA) program based on forecasts from provinces and territories for disbursements. Public Safety Canada regularly consults with provinces and territories to ensure funding levels meet disbursement requirements under the DFAA legislation, and aligns funding levels accordingly.

In addition to the DFAA decrease, the decrease of $612.8 million (38%) in planned spending between 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026 is also attributable to the maturation of the funding requested to eliminate the Memorial Grant Program backlog and accommodate projected near-term growth in program applications ($34.5 million), as well as decreases in funding levels for the Building Safer Communities Fund (BCSF) ($32.5 million), the First Nations and Inuit Policing Facilities Program ($31.3 million) and the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP) ($22.3 million).

The decrease of $139.2 million (14%) in planned spending between 2025 to 2026 and 2026 to 2027 is mainly attributable to the maturation of the funding for the BCSF ($54.4 million), the Humanitarian Workforce Program ($36 million) and the Supporting the Canadian Red Cross's Urgent Relief Efforts Related to COVID-19, Floods and Wildfires program ($10.8 million), as well as a decrease in funding level for the FNIPP ($13.5 million).

Funding

Figure 2: Departmental spending between 2021 to 2022 and 2026 to 2027

The following graph presents planned spending (voted and statutory expenditures) over time.

Image description

The graph illustrates the Department's spending trend for statutory, voted, and total spending over a six-year period starting in 2021 to 2022 and ending in 2026 to 2027. In fiscal year 2021 to 2022, the actual statutory spending was 18,009,457 and in 2022 to 2023, it was 21,334,928. In 2023 to 2024, the planned statutory spending is 25,445,173; in 2024 to 2025, it is 22,505,005 dollars; in 2025 to 2026, it is 20,614,252 dollars; and in 2026 to 2027, it is 19,287,870 dollars. In fiscal year 2021 to 2022, the actual voted spending was 1,049,650,354 dollars and in 2022 to 2023, it was 3,290,238,503 dollars. In 2023 to 2024, the planned voted spending is 2,959,705,937; in 2024 to 2025, it is 1,582,768,823 dollars; in 2025 to 2026, it is 971,821,711 dollars and in 2026 to 2027, it is 833,996,318 dollars. Finally, in 2021 to 2022, the total spending was 1,067,659,81, and in 2022 to 2023 it was 3,311,573,431. In 2023 to 2024, the total spending is 2,985,151,110; in 2024 to 2025, it is 1,605,273,828; in 2025 to 2026 it is 992,435,963; and in 2026 to 2027 it is 853,284,188.

Estimates by vote

Information on Public Safety Canada's organizational appropriations is available in the 2024 to 2025 Main Estimates.

Future-oriented condensed statement of operations

The future-oriented condensed statement of operations provides an overview of Public Safety Canada's operations between 2023 to 2024 and 2024 to 2025.

The forecast and planned amounts in this statement of operations were prepared on an accrual basis. The forecast and planned amounts presented in other sections of the Departmental Plan were prepared on an expenditure basis. Amounts may therefore differ.

A more detailed future-oriented statement of operations and associated notes, including a reconciliation of the net cost of operations with the requested authorities, are available at Public Safety Canada's website.

Table 8: Future-oriented condensed statement of operations for the year ending March 31, 2025 (dollars)

Financial information

2023 to 2024 forecast results

2024 to 2025 planned results

Difference (2024 to 2025 planned results minus 2023 to 2024 forecast results)

Total expenses

3,559,473,602

2,226,979,631

(1,332,493,971)

Total revenues

(2,700,000)

(2,700,000)

0

Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers

3,556,773,602

2,224,279,631

(1,332,493,971)

The difference of $1.3 billion in the expenses between 2023 to 2024 and 2024 to 2025 is mainly attributable to a decrease in payments under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) program based on forecasts from provinces and territories for disbursements. Public Safety Canada regularly consults with provinces and territories to ensure funding levels meet disbursement requirements under the DFAA legislation, and aligns funding levels accordingly.

Human resources

The following table shows a summary of human resources, in full-time equivalents (FTEs), for Public Safety Canada's core responsibilities and for its internal services for the previous three fiscal years. Human resources for the current fiscal year are forecasted based on year to date. 

Table 9: Actual human resources for core responsibilities and internal services

Core responsibilities and internal services

2021 to 2022 actual full time equivalents

2022 to 2023 actual full time equivalents

2023 to 2024 forecast full time equivalents

National Security

189

187

199

Community Safety

353

459

483

Emergency Management

288

325

366

Subtotal

830

971

1,048

Internal services

468

534

581

Total

1,298

1,505

1,629

Public Safety Canada FTEs increased by 25.5% (331 FTEs) over the last two years, from 1,298 FTEs in 2021 to 2022 to 1,629 FTEs forecasted in 2023 to 2024. This increase is primarily attributable to additional salary funding received for new initiatives, such as for various firearms buyback initiatives, for the improvement to the federal emergency capacity, for enhancing natural disaster resilience, as well as for Indigenous community safety planning and community corrections initiatives.

The following table shows information on human resources, in full-time equivalents (FTEs), for each of Public Safety Canada's core responsibilities and for its internal services planned for 2024 to 2025 and future years.

Table 10: Human resources planning summary for core responsibilities and internal services

Core responsibilities and internal services

2024 to 2025 planned full time equivalents

2025 to 2026 planned full time equivalents

2026 to 2027 planned full time equivalents

National Security

213

199

199

Community Safety

468

380

325

Emergency Management

330

332

313

Subtotal

1,011

911

837

Internal services

535

510

492

Total

1,546

1,421

1,329

Overall FTEs in 2024 to 2025 will decrease by 83 FTEs (5.1%) from 1,629 in 2023 to 2024, to 1,546 in 2024 to 2025 primarily as a result of funding maturation for the firearms buyback initiative related to the web portal and case management system, and for anti-money laundering. 

FTEs in 2025 to 2026 will decrease by 125 (8.1%) from 1,546 in 2024 to 2025 to 1,421 in 2025 to 2026 primarily as a result of funding maturation of the delivery to businesses phase of the compensation program for prohibited assault-style firearms and of implementation of the Criminal Code Authorization Regime.

FTEs in 2026 to 2027 will decrease by 92 (6.5%) from 1,421 in 2025 to 2026 to 1,329 in 2026 to 2027 primarily as a result of funding maturation for the gun and gang initiative, for the firearms control framework, for the co-development of First Nations policing legislation and engagement to support Indigenous policing, as well as a decrease in funding for enhancing natural disaster resilience.

Corporate information

Organizational profile

Appropriate minister[s]:
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, P.C., K.C., M.P.
The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, P.C., O.M.M., M.S.M., C.D., M.P.

Institutional head:
Mr. Shawn Tupper

Ministerial portfolio:
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Enabling instrument(s):
Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Act (2005),
Emergency Management Act (2007)

Year of incorporation/commencement:
2003

Organizational contact information

Mailing address: 269 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0P8
Telephone: 613-944-4875 or 1-800-830-3118
TTY: 1-866-865-5667
Fax: 613-954-5186
Email: ps.mediarelations-relationsaveclesmedias.sp@ps-sp.gc.ca
Website(s): https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/index-en.aspx

Supplementary information tables

The following supplementary information tables are available on Public Safety Canada's website:

Information on Public Safety Canada's departmental sustainable development strategy can be found on Public Safety Canada's website.

Federal tax expenditures

Public Safety Canada's Departmental Plan does not include information on tax expenditures.

Tax expenditures are the responsibility of the Minister of Finance. The Department of Finance Canada publishes cost estimates and projections for government wide tax expenditures each year in the Report on Federal Tax Expenditures.

This report provides detailed information on tax expenditures, including objectives, historical background and references to related federal spending programs, as well as evaluations, research papers and gender-based analysis plus.

Definitions

appropriation (crédit)
Any authority of Parliament to pay money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
budgetary expenditures (dépenses budgétaires)
Operating and capital expenditures; transfer payments to other levels of government, organizations or individuals; and payments to Crown corporations.
core responsibility (responsabilité essentielle)
An enduring function or role performed by a department. The intentions of the department with respect to a core responsibility are reflected in one or more related departmental results that the department seeks to contribute to or influence.
Departmental Plan (plan ministériel)
A document that sets out a department's priorities, programs, expected results and associated resource requirements, covering a three‑year period beginning with the year indicated in the title of the report. Departmental Plans are tabled in Parliament each spring.
departmental result (résultat ministériel)
A change that a department seeks to influence. A departmental result is often outside departments' immediate control, but it should be influenced by program-level outcomes.
departmental result indicator (indicateur de résultat ministériel)
A factor or variable that provides a valid and reliable means to measure or describe progress on a departmental result.
departmental results framework (cadre ministériel des résultats)
A framework that consists of the department's core responsibilities, departmental results and departmental result indicators.
Departmental Results Report (rapport sur les résultats ministériels)
A report on a department's actual performance in a fiscal year against its plans, priorities and expected results set out in its Departmental Plan for that year. Departmental Results Reports are usually tabled in Parliament each fall.
full‑time equivalent (équivalent temps plein)
A measure of the extent to which an employee represents a full person‑year charge against a departmental budget. Full‑time equivalents are calculated as a ratio of assigned hours of work to scheduled hours of work. Scheduled hours of work are set out in collective agreements.
gender-based analysis plus (GBA Plus) (analyse comparative entre les sexes plus [ACS Plus])
An analytical tool used to support the development of responsive and inclusive policies, programs and other initiatives. GBA Plus is a process for understanding who is impacted by the issue or opportunity being addressed by the initiative; identifying how the initiative could be tailored to meet diverse needs of the people most impacted; and anticipating and mitigating any barriers to accessing or benefitting from the initiative. GBA Plus is an intersectional analysis that goes beyond biological (sex) and socio-cultural (gender) differences to consider other factors, such as age, disability, education, ethnicity, economic status, geography, language, race, religion, and sexual orientation.
government-wide priorities (priorités pangouvernementales)
For the purpose of the 2024–25 Departmental Plan, government-wide priorities are the high-level themes outlining the government's agenda in the 2021 Speech from the Throne: building a healthier today and tomorrow; growing a more resilient economy; bolder climate action; fighter harder for safer communities; standing up for diversity and inclusion; moving faster on the path to reconciliation and fighting for a secure, just, and equitable world.
horizontal initiative (initiative horizontale)
An initiative in which two or more federal organizations are given funding to pursue a shared outcome, often linked to a government priority.
Indigenous business
As defined on the Indigenous Services Canada website in accordance with the Government of Canada's commitment that a mandatory minimum target of 5% of the total value of contracts is awarded to Indigenous businesses annually.
non‑budgetary expenditures (dépenses non budgétaires)
Net outlays and receipts related to loans, investments and advances, which change the composition of the financial assets of the Government of Canada.
performance (rendement)
What an organization did with its resources to achieve its results, how well those results compare to what the organization intended to achieve, and how well lessons learned have been identified.
plan (plan)
The articulation of strategic choices, which provides information on how an organization intends to achieve its priorities and associated results. Generally, a plan will explain the logic behind the strategies chosen and tend to focus on actions that lead up to the expected result.
planned spending (dépenses prévues)
For Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports, planned spending refers to those amounts presented in the Main Estimates. A department is expected to be aware of the authorities that it has sought and received. The determination of planned spending is a departmental responsibility, and departments must be able to defend the expenditure and accrual numbers presented in their Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports.
program (programme)
Individual or groups of services, activities or combinations thereof that are managed together within a department and that focus on a specific set of outputs, outcomes or service levels.
program inventory (répertoire des programmes)
An inventory of a department's programs that describes how resources are organized to carry out the department's core responsibilities and achieve its planned results.
result (résultat)
An external consequence attributed, in part, to an organization, policy, program or initiative. Results are not within the control of a single organization, policy, program or initiative; instead, they are within the area of the organization's influence.
statutory expenditures (dépenses législatives)
Expenditures that Parliament has approved through legislation other than appropriation acts. The legislation sets out the purpose of the expenditures and the terms and conditions under which they may be made.
target (cible)
A measurable performance or success level that an organization, program or initiative plans to achieve within a specified time period. Targets can be either quantitative or qualitative.
voted expenditures (dépenses votées)
Expenditures that Parliament approves annually through an Appropriation Act. The vote wording becomes the governing conditions under which these expenditures may be made.
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