Parliamentary Committee Notes: Talking Points for Deputy Minister Tupper
If questioned on the role of Public Safety in policing matters:
Public Safety Canada is responsible for national leadership related policing policy matters. Public Safety works with the RCMP, provinces and territories, and national policing organizations in its efforts to develop policing policy objectives to contribute to crime prevention and community safety.
Public Safety Canada provides advice to the Minister on policing policy matters, works with the RCMP and policing stakeholders, such as the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, to assess operational impacts, and works to implement the decisions of Cabinet, including by drafting legislation, regulations and Orders in Council.
In addition, on behalf of the Government of Canada, Public Safety Canada is the signatory to the contracts for RCMP policing services with provinces, territories and municipalities (excluding Ontario and Quebec). We administer the contracts, while RCMP is responsible for the operational delivery of policing services as set out in the contracts.
Public Safety Canada does not direct or instruct the RCMP in any matters related to operational policing or investigations of the police.
If questioned on the relationship between Public Safety and the RCMP:
The Minister of Public Safety is responsible for both the Department of Public Safety Canada, and the RCMP. Public Safety Canada is responsible for providing the Minister with policing policy advice and recommendations, while the RCMP is accountable to the Minister for the operations of the RCMP.
Public Safety Canada works closely with the RCMP to inform policing policy consideration and to develop options and advice for the Minister of Public Safety. When Public Safety Canada develops policy considerations, we ensure recommendations to the Minister include an analysis of operational impacts and capabilities of implementation. Work on Firearms policy advice is done in collaboration with the RCMP.
The Canadian Firearms Program (CFP), under the purview of the RCMP, is responsible for administering the Firearms Act and its associated regulations, maintaining national firearm safety training standards, and assisting law enforcement agencies with an overarching goal of enhancing public safety, in support of the Government of Canada's priorities.
The RCMP Commissioner is also the Commissioner of Firearms.
The CFP administers the Firearms Act and related regulations, including the licensing of individuals and businesses through Chief Firearms Officers (CFOs) for each province and territory, and the registration of restricted and prohibited firearms through the Registrar of Firearms (Registrar).