Departmental Plan 2023-24

Description

Federal Policing addresses the most serious and complex criminal threats to the safety and security of Canadians and Canadian interests, including democratic institutions, economic integrity, and physical and cyber infrastructure. Through Federal Policing, the RCMP prevents, detects, and investigates national security, cyber-crime, and transnational and serious organized crime, including financial crime. In addition, it enforces federal statutes, conducts international policing activities, and upholds Canada’s border integrity and the security of significant government-led events, designated officials and dignitaries.

Planning highlights

During 2023-24, Federal Policing will develop a new Federal Policing Strategic Plan to provide a shared understanding of the priorities and key initiatives within its broad law enforcement mandate. This plan will align with the RCMP’s next multi-year strategic plan. Federal Policing will also continue to work with other government departments, external review bodies and operational counterparts to develop strategies, enhance policies and agreements, and advance partnerships and collaboration to address the priorities identified in its 2020-23 Federal Policing Strategic Plan. These priorities support Federal Policing's core mandate of keeping Canada and Canadian interests safe and secure against serious and complex criminal threats.

Federal Policing Investigations

Federal Policing will continue to investigate criminality as part of its three priorities:

National Security

This priority focuses on criminal activities that threaten Canada's national security through terrorism, espionage, sabotage, or subversion. The key targets under this priority are terrorism and foreign interference activities.

Transnational and Serious Organized Crime

This priority focuses on criminal activities that cross international and/or provincial borders, carried out by organizations, networks, or entities that use Canada as a destination, transit point, or safe haven. The key target activities under this priority are organized crime, money laundering, and border integrity.

Cybercrime

This priority focuses on cyber-enabled crimes by domestic or international cybercrime networks and actors who are targeting Canadians or Canada's critical infrastructure. The key target activities under this priority are transnational and serious organized crime, cyber-enabled criminal activity and foreign interference.

As part of its national security priority, the RCMP will:

• implement a plan to effectively assess and mitigate potential threats involving Canadians citizens who were detained in Internationally Displaced Persons camps or prisons in Syria and returned to Canada;
• implement a national strategy to enhance the education and understanding of the threat of Ideologically Motivated Violent Extremism actors; and,
• continue to work with both domestic and international partners, as well as public and private stakeholders, to effectively address the threat that foreign actor activity poses in Canada.

As part of its transnational and serious organized crime priority, the RCMP will:

• solidify partnerships with anti-money laundering regime partners to identify operational responses against the most serious money laundering threats in Canada;
• enhance its capability to support the enforcement of potential Special Economic Measures Act actions, as guided by Global Affairs Canada;
• enhance its partnerships with provincial Securities Commissions to work together in protecting investors from fraudulent practices;
• develop a strategy to respond to the increased use of cryptocurrency in criminal investigations, assess the RCMP’s ability to address serious fraud, and examine how to potentially include components of asset recovery in financial crime investigations;
• create an RCMP Arctic Strategy, which will outline the RCMP’s roles and responsibilities in the Arctic, its strategic and operational objectives, as well as its plans for truth and reconciliation in the North;
• align its resources to ensure that the Border Integrity Program is well positioned to respond to the changes and risks associated to irregular migration;
• continue to strengthen its strategic and operational partnerships with U.S. cross-border law enforcement partners to identify common priorities and threats, and to allow for engagement on best practices to prevent and disrupt these activities;
• in collaboration with the Ontario Provincial Police, continue to lead the Canadian Integrated Response to Organized Crime’s Fentanyl Strategy, with the goal of making the strategy intelligence-led, partnership-based and operationally focused;
• continue to coordinate domestic law enforcement actions and support international partners in enforcement activities to disrupt the use of Hardened Secure Communications to facilitate criminal activity; and,
• raise awareness of the judicial challenges surrounding Hardened Secure Communications, seek support for legislative changes in order to regulate encrypted communication in Canada, and develop organizational expertise and investigative standards on this topic to successfully disrupt transnational organized crime.

As part of its cybercrime priority, the RCMP will:

• work closely with its international policing partners through its participation in an international project to disrupt the cybercrime ecosystem through campaign plans.

To support federal investigations and those who contribute to them, the RCMP will:

• continue to be available to protect witnesses who have contributed to federal investigations through its Witness Protection Program; and,
• continue reviewing, analyzing and interpreting complex data through the use of hardware and software tools by highly specialized personnel.

Federal Policing Intelligence

Federal Policing’s intelligence program will continue to provide strategic and tactical analysis to support investigations and awareness for the RCMP and its domestic and international law enforcement partners. In 2023-24, the program will:

• enhance the RCMP’s intelligence function by advancing its IM/IT capabilities, developing national standards, policies and formal training, and establishing a governance framework;
• develop intelligence products and probes, including National Operational Pictures and Snapshots, on high-priority threats, as well as develop intelligence reports in support of Government of Canada Horizontal Initiatives and commitments;
• build upon outreach activities with both domestic and international partners and stakeholders working in the law enforcement, security and intelligence communities;
• elevate the RCMP’s international capability by expanding the Global Initiatives footprint and delivering intelligence analysis training through capacity building projects, and by developing an International Human Source Handling and Recruitment capability;
• update national-level intelligence standards and training to create and sustain subject matter expertise that supports and advances Federal Policing goals and objectives and, develop an Intelligence Analyst Career Path for analysts in the RCMP; and,
• integrate specialized Intelligence Officers into major projects and Joint Forces Operations to enable the transition of intelligence to operations.

Federal Policing National Governance

In 2023-24, Federal Policing will undertake a full realignment of its resources to better align with the highest threats and allow for a more agile response to emerging threats. Federal Policing will focus on its people by enhancing leadership and employee development through online and in-person leaning opportunities, while working towards a comprehensive training program for Federal Policing resources. Ongoing work to improve information technology and to integrate administrative and operational data is also a priority during 2023-24.

International Operations

In 2023-24, Federal Policing will continue implementing its vision for the RCMP’s international capability with a view to prevent and disrupt criminality overseas before it impacts Canadians and their allies at home. New processes and mechanisms to better integrate intelligence into planning and decision-making will enhance Federal Policing’s stewardship of the international network. Preparation for new international posts beginning in 2024-25 will also lay the groundwork for a significant modernization of its overseas footprint. The development of new specialist capabilities abroad, in partnership with different RCMP program areas, will better position the international network to drive high-impact operations for years to come. Canada’s global crime prevention interests will also be advanced through new capacity building projects that counter terrorism in the Asia Pacific, Western Africa and Sahel regions, as well as migrant smuggling in Mexico and Colombia.

Consistent with these goals, the RCMP, through the Canadian Police Arrangement, will continue to deploy peace operations to secure fragile and conflict affected states around the world, especially in Ukraine, Haiti, and west Africa. In doing so, aligned with Canada’s feminist foreign assistance policy, the RCMP will work to advance the role of women in peace and security globally. Duty of care of deployed personnel in over 40 countries will continue to be front and centre as Federal Policing works to deliver on the vision of building a world-class suite of international capabilities protecting Canada from transnational threats beyond our borders and advancing Canadian policing interests globally.

Protective Operations

The RCMP will continue to deliver protective policing for significant government-led events, designated sites, and for persons identified in RCMP regulations and designated by the Minister of Public Safety. It will also continue to provide specially trained RCMP officers onboard selected Canadian-registered aircraft. The organization will continue to modernize protective operations through the implementation of operational and governance modifications, such as:

• continuing to support the Minister of Public Safety’s mandate commitment of bolstering the security of ministers and Parliamentarians;
• developing, with key internal stakeholders, a training program that will allow for the entry of new cadets directly into the Protective Policing program; and,
• ensuring that its resources across the country are aligned with operational demand.

Gender-based Analysis Plus

The RCMP International Special Services program will continue to advance a number of initiatives in support of the RCMP’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, such as:

• raising awareness and promoting access to mandatory diversity, cultural and anti-racism training;
• making diversity a cornerstone in its recruitment efforts; and,
• building on progress made in the representation of women deployed overseas.

In order to understand the implications of diversity in government policy and procedures, all RCMP International Police Peacekeeping and Peace Operations Program personnel will continue to take Women and Gender Equality Canada’s online Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) training.

In the same vein, to enhance the ability of Canadian police officers to deliver gender-sensitive programming, the goals of the Women, Peace and Security^{footnote 1} agenda will continue to be a key subject for all RCMP pre-deployment International Police Support Operations Training sessions for deploying officers. These sessions include topics on gender roles, gender mainstreaming and GBA Plus, and Women, Peace and Security commitments.

The Witness Protection Program continues to apply GBA Plus as part of its protectee admission process. During the year, each protectee will undergo a series of assessments, and the program will create a plan to address their safety, security, and unique needs. Furthermore, the program will continue its targeted staffing efforts to employ members from diverse backgrounds and experiences to better reflect the changing needs of the program and the environment in which it operates.

United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goal #16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

• The RCMP’s International Police Peacekeeping and Peace Operations Program activities are shaped by robust gender-based analysis and are tailored to advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda. In 2023-2024, the program will contribute to the development of the new Canadian National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (CNAP 3). It will also work to deploy a diverse cadre of personnel on missions, with a goal to meet or exceed the UN established targets for the participation of women police officers in international peace operations.

Sustainable Development Goal #5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

• The RCMP continues to support the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations^{footnote 2} by working with the Zambia Police Service to establish bilateral technical assistance and training initiatives. This will assist capacity efforts to train women security sector professionals and increase the deployment of women to international peace operations. Work on this project is ongoing and the RCMP will continue to support the full and meaningful participation of women peacebuilders.

Innovation

Federal Policing is committed to building and maintaining specialized investigative capacity that is responsive to the changing nature of its operating environment. To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its investigations, Federal Policing is modernizing its efforts on recruiting, training and retaining a diverse and skilled workforce through the Civilian Criminal Investigator Project. The project targets the recruitment of public servants with diverse backgrounds and specialized expertise necessary for civilian criminal investigator roles. In 2023-24, the project will continue the business transformation needed to ensure the sustainable integration and retention of civilian criminal investigators into Federal Policing. A recruitment strategy, onboarding process and training program continue to be refined to meet Federal Policing’s operational demands.

In 2023-24, Federal Policing will continue implementing its vision for the RCMP’s international capability with a view to prevent and disrupt criminality overseas before it impacts Canadians and their allies at home. New processes and mechanisms, such as the Joint International Threat Assessment and the Integrated Network Review to better integrate intelligence into planning and decision-making, will enhance Federal Policing’s stewardship of the international network.

The Witness Protection Program will continue to explore and implement various initiatives to further improve its service to protectees, such as exploring new technologies to facilitate safe and effective communication with them.

Federal Policing Covert Operations is looking to implement digital notetaking for operations and SharePoint as a means of coordinating, and collaborating more closely, with the divisions.

Federal Policing’s Serious and Organized Crime branch will continue to build on its effective data collection systems to make well-informed decisions and support operations by:

• developing an Open Source Intelligence Lead Analyst portfolio; and,
• increasing its technical specialization in Hardened Secure Communications software/hardware specifications and the required data analysis.

Key risks

Federal Policing is continually working to keep pace with the ever-evolving criminal threat environment, particularly with understanding and adapting to technology that supports criminal activity. The risks to the safety and security of Canadians now extend to insidious and covert threats to economic, democratic, environmental, and social well-being. With such a broad and demanding mandate, and in light of the urgent resources required to respond to these demands, Federal Policing must prioritize its work and transform its governance structure to operate as a modern, centralized national program. Specifically, the inability to attract and retain employees with specialized skills, such financial crime and cybercrime expertise, within a reduced labour market poses a great risk to Federal Policing’s operational effectiveness. Federal Policing will continue to implement innovative strategies to mitigate that risk, such as the recruitment of a diverse and modern workforce.

From the perspective of international peace operations, there are two key risks to program delivery:

• Recruitment pressures across Canadian law enforcement make it a challenge to attract suitable police officers to participate in peace operations abroad; and,
• Rising insecurity and instability in certain fragile and conflict-affected states diminishes the RCMP’s capacity to operate in some peace operations missions due to an unacceptable level of risk to the duty of care of police personnel. By extension, this also makes it more difficult to recruit police officers.

Planned results for Federal Policing

The following table shows, for Federal Policing, the planned results, the result indicators, the targets and the target dates for 2023-24, and the actual results for the three most recent fiscal years for which actual results are available.

The financial, human resources and performance information for the RCMP’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase^{footnote 15}.

Planned budgetary spending for Federal Policing

The following table shows, for Federal Policing, budgetary spending for 2023-24, as well as planned spending for that year and for each of the next two fiscal years.

Financial, human resources and performance information for the RCMP’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase^{footnote 16}.

Planned human resources for Federal Policing

The following table shows, in full time equivalents, the human resources the department will need to fulfill this core responsibility for 2023-24 and for each of the next two fiscal years.

Financial, human resources and performance information for the RCMP’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase^{footnote 17}.

Description

Externally, the RCMP provides specialized and technical services to all Canadian law enforcement agencies, which include advanced training for law enforcement; national criminal data repositories; firearms regulation and licensing; and investigative tools and services, including forensics, identification, firearms and child exploitation. Internally, a diverse range of technical services are also provided to advance RCMP operations and investigations, such as the collection of digital evidence and cybercrime intelligence, the delivery of policing information technology tools, and the implementation of departmental and personnel security standards.

Planning highlights

The 2021-26 Specialized Policing Services Strategic Plan provides a vision for evolving, modernizing, and continuously improving industry leading policing services. Throughout the year, Specialized Policing Services will support initiatives to achieve the outcomes set out in its strategic plan, which are aligned with the RCMP's broader Vision150 and Beyond strategic plan.

Canadian Firearms Investigative and Enforcement Services

Canadian Firearms Investigative and Enforcement Services will support and strengthen the ability of law enforcement and criminal justice partners to combat the smuggling, trafficking, and misuse of firearms. In 2023-24, the program will focus on improving law enforcement partner knowledge of firearms investigative procedures, as well as enhancing partner access to investigation supports. The program will engage with partners and stakeholders to integrate data and intelligence in its operations, and raise awareness on the value of firearms tracing. The program will also work with the National Cybercrime Coordination Unit to monitor the web/dark web to combat the illicit sale and purchase of three-dimensional printed firearms and parts.

Canadian Firearms Licensing and Registration

Canadian Firearms Licensing and Registration is committed to enhancing public safety and reducing the risk of harm from the misuse of firearms. In support of this outcome, the program will improve access to firearms regulatory services and will ensure timely and accurate information dissemination. Initiatives throughout the reporting period will include the national roll-out of new online services for licences, including minor and business licences, as well as the migration of existing online individual and business services to the new platform. It will also continue the implementation of new restrictions on the transfer of handguns to exempt individuals^{footnote 18}. The program will also continue implementing the Canadian Firearms Digital Services Solution to improve user experiences and automate certain client facing services, all in an effort to find efficiencies and modernize systems.

Criminal Intelligence Service Canada

Criminal Intelligence Service Canada will provide timely, relevant, and accurate intelligence, as well as in-depth analysis of organized crime-related issues and criminal markets, to further inform the coordination and prioritization of targeting decisions by the law enforcement community. During the reporting period, the program will focus on: ensuring actionable intelligence is provided to decision-makers; enhancing collaboration with partners; and further developing the capabilities of its workforce.

In support of these outcomes, the program will strengthen the integrated threat assessment process, refine common threat criteria, and increase visual representation of data in intelligence products. Workflows will be enhanced and automated to bolster data collection and analysis, which will include applying modern equity, diversity, and inclusion principles. Additionally, the program will continue to work with the Information Management and Information Technology (IM/IT) program to develop a new intelligence system for serious and organized crime.

Forensic Science and Identification Services

During the reporting period, Forensic Science and Identification Services will improve its data collection systems and processes, the timeliness of forensic service and security screening capabilities, as well as overall workforce capacities and capabilities. In support of these outcomes, the program will concentrate its efforts on several initiatives, which include:

• implementing updates to the Laboratory Information Management System and using modern information management principles;
• putting into practice modernized workflows to reduce internal processing delays;
• expanding partnerships, capacity, and submissions into the Canadian Integrated Ballistics Identification Network to help correlate cases and improve response times; and,
• training staff to implement new DNA software, which will assist with the interpretation of complex DNA mixtures.

Canadian Police College

The Canadian Police College is committed to meeting the evolving training needs of the law enforcement community. During the reporting period, the College will work to increase specialized knowledge and skills, while improving learning accessibility and delivery options. To do this, the College will:

• seek out strategic partnerships with academia and communities of practice to enhance its profile as a knowledge hub for policing in Canada;
• collaborate with police and non-police partners to support a multidisciplinary approach on training activities and needs, academic trends, and course development;
• add more GBA Plus-focused programming where required to meet ongoing Government of Canada strategies;
• onboard a new digital learning platform to broaden client reach and improve overall user experience; and,
• apply best practices stemming from the adjustments made during the COVID-19 pandemic to improve program delivery and overall resiliency of operations.

Lastly, the College will implement the final phase of a scaled cost-recovery model to support long-term financial sustainability, while remaining competitive with similar educational institutions across the country. This will serve to address the rising costs of delivering high-quality training while remaining affordable and accessible to police partners across Canada and internationally.

Sensitive and Specialized Investigative Services

In 2023-24, Sensitive and Specialized Investigative Services will focus on: enhancing law enforcement access to tools and databases; improving collaboration with partners; and, strengthening the capabilities and capacities of its workforce. In support of these outcomes, the National Child Exploitation Crime Centre will:

• identify offenders and victimized children;
• gather and share intelligence;
• engage in operationally relevant research;
• provide support to policing partners; and,
• develop and deploy technological innovations and specialized investigative techniques.

The centre will continue to contribute intelligence and identify victims and offenders in INTERPOL’s International Child Sexual Exploitation Database. The National Child Exploitation Crime Centre will also develop new, and expand existing, domestic and international partnerships and private industry collaborations.

Finally, Sensitive and Specialized Investigative Services will continue to prioritize the health and wellness of its employees. Evidence-based tools, techniques, strategies and training sessions will be shared and implemented throughout the year to enhance resiliency and personal growth.

Specialized Technical Investigative Services

Specialized Technical Investigative Services will deliver capabilities to obtain digital evidence, as well as evidence gathered by physical and electronic surveillance, in a lawful and Charter-compliant manner. During the reporting period, the program will: increase access to modern tools, technologies and equipment; improve collaboration with partners and stakeholders; and enhance program capacity and capabilities, as part of efforts to support RCMP operations. The program will address identified technological gaps, and will examine emerging technology to enhance physical security of assets, protected persons, and the public.

Departmental Security

Departmental Security is foundational to the RCMP’s ability to deliver on its mandate. In 2023-24, Departmental Security will focus on: enhanced security controls; improved stakeholder access to guidance, tools, and resources; and standardized and monitored security management. In support of these outcomes, Departmental Security will continue to modernize and adapt to an ever-evolving security landscape. The program will focus on assisting RCMP business lines to achieve their transformation initiatives by understanding the risks of using contemporary technologies, while helping to enable an innovative, agile, connected and digitally engaged police service. Efforts will also support the implementation of a national Facility Security Assessment and Authorization process to ensure the safety and security of personnel, assets and infrastructure.

Additionally, Departmental Security will implement a fulsome and robust insider risk program that will include a Security Event Reporting Program that contains a system-based portal to report security breaches and manage security events.

Operational IM/IT Services

Operational IM/IT Services will continue to advance “The Connected RCMP” Digital Policing Strategy to ensure the RCMP has the right technology to enable and support the impacts of the digital era of policing. At the heart of these efforts will be a focus on digital transformation and modernization to better connect the organization with the communities it serves and its partners. During the reporting period, the program will increase data accessibility, modernize digital workspaces, improve IM/IT maturity, and enhance information systems and processes. More specifically, Operational IM/IT Services will prioritize the implementation of modern digital workspaces (such as Microsoft Teams); IT security operations; public cloud programs; digital collaboration information management; and information technology service management.

National Cybercrime Coordination Unit

The National Cybercrime Coordination Unit will enable Canadian law enforcement to reduce the threat, victimization, and impact of cybercrime on Canadians. In 2023-24, the program will provide:

• support to multinational cybercrime investigations, including intelligence, operational coordination, and internationally deployed resources;
• cyber behavioural analysis for cybercrime investigations; and,
• guidance and access to technical capabilities to Canadian law enforcement.

The program will continue to advance the implementation of the National Cybercrime Solution while working towards full operating capability in 2024. The National Cybercrime Solution is a new information management system that will include a secure portal to exchange and enrich cybercrime data for law enforcement purposes. The solution will also include a public reporting website to allow the public and businesses to report cybercrime and fraud. This will improve Canada’s understanding of the nature and extent of cybercrime and fraud, while supporting law enforcement investigations, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and the National Cybercrime Coordination Unit.

In alignment, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the National Cybercrime Coordination Unit will continue to:

• finalize the National Cybercrime Fraud Reporting System, including its ransomware reporting stream;
• develop an increased understanding of cybercrime and fraud trends and threats, and expand Canadian law enforcement understanding of the ever-changing cybercrime and fraud landscape;
• engage in coordination and de-confliction activities to align cybercrime investigative efforts across multiple jurisdictions and agencies; and,
• support law enforcement investigation capabilities on the use of cryptocurrency by cybercriminals and fraudsters.

Gender-based Analysis Plus

• As a part of Departmental Security Governance renewal, GBA Plus will continue to be applied on multiple personnel security processes, including but not limited to security questionnaires, the security screening guide, and security screening processes.
• The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the National Cybercrime Coordination Unit remain committed to applying GBA Plus principles. The program will continue to advance statistical analysis and GBA Plus business intelligence functions to analyze cybercrime reporting and data in Canada. Using a privacy compliant manner, the National Cybercrime Coordination Unit will collect data from reporting Canadians on their gender and identity, Indigenous identity, age, languages spoken, ethnicity and potential heightened risk factors for victimization – such as newcomers to Canada, or those from lower income groups – to help inform policies and operational approaches.
• The Canadian Firearms Program will continue to implement initiatives to address a GBA Plus assessment that identified an opportunity to enhance service delivery to clients, while taking into consideration accessibility issues associated with: age; region of residence; Indigenous status; people with disabilities; and gender. The program will implement digital-first, multiple-channel service delivery so that clients can interact with the program online, by phone, or by mail. All web services will adhere to existing standards to ensure they are accessible, usable, interoperable, mobile friendly and multilingual. The program will continue to conduct user research and usability testing, with results informing the design and development of online services. A GBA Plus lens will inform the recruitment strategy for user research and usability testing to encourage input from participants across diverse groups.
• Operational IM/IT Services will focus on attracting and hiring designated employment equity groups to increase its workforce representation. Plans include increasing engagement of IT students who self-declare as Indigenous, and advertising employment opportunities to those with disabilities given that the IM/IT Program is implementing a sustainable hybrid work model.

United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goal #5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

• Computer science and engineering are still male-dominated fields. Consequently, Operational IM/IT Services will continue to use transparent employment processes and talent management plans to encourage and promote women at all levels to participate and gain equal opportunities for leadership positions.

Sustainable Development Goal #16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

• Sensitive and Specialized Investigative Services will continue to pursue online child sexual exploitation investigations, identify victims and remove them from abusive situations, and will bring offenders to justice, including those who offend abroad.

Innovation

• The Canadian Firearms Digital Services Solution project, under the Operational IM/IT Services Program, will continue to investigate options for a cloud-based virus-scanning solution, as previously identified solutions were not viable. Automated testing solutions will be explored, with the expectation that these tools will be leveraged for quality control testing for all its applications. Digitizing services and processes will reduce the need for manual data entry, while leveraging automated data validation will enable more efficient decision making. Ultimately, it will further opportunities to explore ways to provide Canadian Firearms Program services to Canadians that are modern, simple, and efficient.
• The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the National Cybercrime Coordination Unit will continue to use experimentation to meet the challenges posed by ever-adapting cybercriminals and fraudsters. The program will continue to develop an agile software to make it easier for Canadians to report that they are a victim of cybercrime and fraud. It will also transform how law enforcement partners exchange and enrich cybercrime-related information with the adoption and continual refinement of the National Cybercrime Solution. Finally, new technologies will be pursued to assist partners with the transfer of large datasets in an encrypted manner, to assist police services with the analysis of data and to search for cybercrime threats such as those linked to phishing attacks.

Key risks

Based on the RCMP’s 2020 Environmental Scan^{footnote 19}, Specialized Policing Services identified several risks and accompanying opportunities to address in the years ahead:

• keep pace with and incorporate technological changes;
• develop a proactive and aligned approach to manage and advance competing priorities;
• attract and retain talent to meet the needs for new and existing skill set requirements;
• develop the workforce to meet evolving technology trends and digital work environments;
• share knowledge and collaborate to improve and develop new technical and operational solutions;
• support transparency and openness with new ideas, tools, and processes;
• coordinate corporate administrative functions and business processes; and,
• obtain funding to ensure long-term program sustainability.

Planned results for Specialized Policing Services

The following table shows, for Specialized Policing Services, the planned results, the result indicators, the targets and the target dates for 2023-24, and the actual results for the three most recent fiscal years for which actual results are available.

The financial, human resources and performance information for the RCMP’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase^{footnote 25}.

Planned budgetary spending for Specialized Policing Services

The following table shows, for Specialized Policing Services, budgetary spending for 2023-24, as well as planned spending for that year and for each of the next two fiscal years.

Financial, human resources and performance information for the RCMP’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase^{footnote 26}.

Planned human resources for Specialized Policing Services

The following table shows, in full time equivalents, the human resources the department will need to fulfill this core responsibility for 2023-24 and for each of the next two fiscal years.

Financial, human resources and performance information for the RCMP’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase^{footnote 27}.

Description

Under the Police Service Agreements, the RCMP provides policing services to the provinces (except Ontario and Quebec) and territories, as well as municipalities and Indigenous communities including through the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program. These services include the general administration of justice, consisting of the preservation of the peace, prevention of crime, and fulfilment of all duties as outlined under the laws of Canada or the laws of respective provinces and territories.

Planning highlights

Police intervention and de-escalation

The RCMP will continue ongoing efforts to modernize police intervention training and improve accountability, transparency, and communication surrounding its use of police intervention options. It will also support a full external review of current de-escalation training to ensure the safest possible outcomes for both officers and Canadians. Consultations with diverse groups, including racialized communities, will continue to advance this important priority.

Over the coming year, the RCMP will continue to advance a number of projects related to intervention equipment, including the procurement of a new pistol and less lethal intervention items such as an updated conducted energy weapon and lightweight body armour. With the goal of increased community safety, the RCMP will support investments to increase police officer de-escalation options, knowledge, skills and abilities, while advancing national standards for crisis intervention. Likewise, the national Operational Communications Centre program will undertake a similar review of policies and standard operating procedures used by 9-1-1 operators that assist responding officers.

In 2023-24, the RCMP will publish its annual Police Intervention Options Report^{footnote 28}, which will outline the RCMP’s use of police intervention options in 2022, as well as trends over the last 12 years. In addition, the RCMP will continue to review and evaluate its Critical Incident Program and Emergency Management Program in response to complex critical incidents, natural disasters and major events.

As part of the De-escalation and Crisis Intervention task group, which was established with representation from police services across Canada under the Chiefs of Police National Roundtable, the RCMP and Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police will continue to work together to standardize and improve police response options and evidence-based training. In 2023-24, the RCMP and the task group will continue moving towards a modern, national standardized use-of-force and crisis intervention model that strengthens the focus on de-escalation, emphasizes preservation/sanctity of life, and increases public awareness of the frequency and complexity of police interactions. It will also promote investments in evidence-based research, policy frameworks and equipment needed for de-escalation and police intervention training across Canada. This work will be grounded in a human-centred approach to policing, focused on preservation of life and duty of care.

Rural Crime

To address rural crime, the RCMP will continue to develop and implement customized initiatives tailored to the unique and diverse characteristics of the communities it serves. The RCMP will also continue to maintain the Rural Crime Reduction Toolbox, which serves as a repository of initiatives and programs implemented by RCMP divisions to address rural crime. In 2023, the RCMP will establish a Crime Prevention/Reduction Community of Practice to enhance the sharing of information across the divisions, and increase knowledge on current and emerging trends in crime prevention and reduction.

Restorative Justice

The RCMP works with federal, provincial, territorial, and regional partners to increase the use of restorative justice, as well as referrals to community and Indigenous justice programs. To achieve its goal of a five per cent increase in referrals to restorative justice programs, the RCMP will increase employee awareness through training, improving connections with local restorative justice agencies, and enhancing RCMP tools and resources, such as referral forms, training, and policies. The RCMP will also continue its joint pilot project with the Department of Justice’s Indigenous Justice Program to create strong community-based working partnerships and increase referrals.

National Traffic Programs and Operational Technologies

The RCMP is implementing a national Body-Worn Camera Program and Digital Evidence Management System to improve transparency and accountability and more effectively respond to concerns from racialized and Indigenous communities. In 2023-24, the RCMP plans to roll-out body worn cameras across Canada, in a manner informed by the 2022-23 field test that deployed nearly 300 cameras in remote, rural and urban setting in Nova Scotia, Alberta, and Nunavut. This roll-out will also consider feedback from stakeholders including racialized and Indigenous communities, and women’s and victim advocacy groups.

As a result of a decrease in the number of specially trained Drug Recognition Experts due to training postponement during the pandemic, the RCMP will support further expert training in 2023-24 to help fill this gap. The RCMP is committed to working with contract partners and police services to raise the number of certified Drug Recognition Experts from 925 to 1,250.

National Office of Investigative Standards and Practices

In accordance with established major case management principles, the National Office of Investigative Standards and Practices provides support, training and oversight across the organization to promote investigative quality and standards.

In 2023-24, the RCMP will improve the staffing process for major case Team Commanders, who are responsible for the overall governance of major cases. The new process will assess whether applicants have consistently applied major case management principles, and whether they have appropriate knowledge and experience, such as surrounding case law and Charter issues.

During the year, the national office will also:

• increase divisional file reviews to promote successful investigations and use of major case management principles;
• distribute the newly created National Major Case Management Guide; and,
• develop and deploy an Online File Coordinators Course and Advanced Disclosure Course to support investigative units across the RCMP.

Sexual Assault Review Team

In 2023-24, the Sexual Assault Review Team will continue to develop, update and oversee initiatives and training materials to improve all aspects of sexual assault investigations with the primary aim of strengthening police training and awareness, investigative accountability, victim support, and public education and communication. During the year, the team will also:

• ensure sexual violence training materials are kept current with respect to policy, legislation and best practices;
• continue to provide support to the Sexual Assault Investigation Review Committees;
• develop an Advanced Sexual Offence Investigations course to provide scenario-based training to investigators;
• increase divisional file reviews to promote successful investigations and accountability (file reviews identify any trends, good practices, barriers, issues, or gaps and to make recommendations to improve the quality of sexual assault investigations); and,
• conduct a review of sexual assault investigation files involving youth victims, which will assist the team in identifying investigative gaps and shortcomings with a view to making recommendations to improve criminal justice outcomes for children and youth.

Youth

In 2023-24, the RCMP will continue to provide educational programming, tools and resources to police officers, adults working with youth, and youth on substance use, transportation safety, bullying and cyberbullying, radicalization and violence via in-person or virtual engagement sessions or through the RCMP Centre for Youth Crime Prevention. The RCMP will also continue to collaborate with Indigenous communities, Indigenous youth, and divisions to develop culturally sensitive educational materials. Furthermore, the RCMP will continue to educate School Resource Officers on how to effectively engage with Indigenous youth through youth officer training sessions.

Operational systems

In 2023-24, the RCMP will implement Blue Force Tracking capabilities to all operational police officers via software installed on RCMP smart phones. This software will provide enhanced situational awareness and real-time tracking of police officers while they are outside of their vehicles.

In preparation for the significant technological requirements of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission mandated transition to Next Generation 9-1-1, the RCMP has begun modernizing critical front-line systems. This will include the creation of new national policy and review of existing policy.

Support to victims

In 2023-24, the RCMP will continue to seek input and collaboration from other federal departments and provincial/territorial agencies, as well as victims’ groups and Indigenous organizations, on work that is underway to develop:

• two new guides for families of missing persons and families of homicide victims, as part of its family-first and trauma-informed approach to victim services, which will be relevant for families and police services across Canada, and will include information related to the entire criminal justice system; and,
• a national Canadian Victim Bill of Rights wallet card, which outlines the four primary victim rights, lists basic information about victim services, and contains space for officer and other contact information that can be customized as needed. These cards will help victims to understand their rights throughout the criminal justice process, and will also increase front-line officer awareness of their obligations.

The RCMP Family Violence Initiative Fund provides grants to community organizations that work in collaboration with police services on awareness, training and initiatives related to relationship and family violence. In 2023-24, the RCMP will continue to encourage fund recipients to deliver programming that follows local health guidelines.

Human trafficking

In 2023-24, the RCMP will complete its environmental scan on human trafficking and produce two reports: one which details the review of human trafficking files, and one which includes the lessons learned, best practices and challenges faced by the divisions following data collection in 2022-23.

The RCMP will also train approximately 4,000 employees with survivor-led, human trafficking detention training. Region-specific content will also be developed with partners.

The RCMP will also collaborate with Missing Children Society of Canada to expand its secure online Missing Children Society of Canada Police Hub to include human trafficking investigations. This platform, developed in collaboration with the National Human Trafficking Section, will allow the exchange of information at a national level with other police partners.

Hate-Motivated Crimes and Incidents

As announced in March 2022, the RCMP and the Canadian Race Relations Foundation co-chair the Hate Crimes Task Force with participants from police services across Canada with a range of experience and expertise. The task force focuses on increasing awareness of the scope, nature and impact of hate crimes across Canada and creating national standards to better support targeted communities across the country. This will include police training, effective engagement with victims and communities, and supporting hate crime units across the country.

The RCMP will also continue to lead the Community of Practice on Hate-Motivated Crimes and Incidents. This community of practice provides a forum for regular interaction between RCMP employees, and other law enforcement professionals, to share information and experiences as it relates to hate-motivated crimes and incidents. The community includes representatives from RCMP National Headquarters, RCMP Divisions, as well as other government departments and police services and encourages members to:

• share documents, news, lessons-learned and good practices, etc.;
• conduct timely discussion on issues relating to hate-motivated crimes and incidents;
• collaborate on the development of tools and resources; and,
• identify local initiatives that RCMP National Headquarters can support.

Recruitment

In 2023-24, the RCMP will continue to strive to broaden its potential applicant base by focusing on diversity in its recruitment to ensure the organization better reflects the communities it serves. The RCMP will continue its efforts to attract applicants from Indigenous, Black and racialized communities in addition to advancing on a number of equity and inclusion initiatives to remove systemic barriers in the recruitment process. To achieve this, the results of its recruitment market research will inform a renewed marketing strategy to target individuals with the characteristics, qualities, and attributes that are required for modern-day police officers. The RCMP will also renew its internal performance measurement framework to better report results of recruitment activities.

Reconciliation

In 2023-24, the RCMP will continue its work along the path of reconciliation, including by updating divisional and national reconciliation plans and addressing the recommendations made in the 2021 evaluation of RCMP Reconciliation Actions. The RCMP will also continue co-developing a National Reconciliation Pathway for reconciliation in collaboration with internal and external Indigenous partners.

The RCMP will also continue to:

• make progress on reconciliation initiatives through enhanced collaboration via the RCMP Reconciliation Working Group and Director General Steering Committee for Reconciliation, including advancing jurisdictional objectives;
• further disseminate a communications protocol template, aimed at establishing mutually agreed-upon communication expectations between the RCMP and community leaders;
• advance academic distinctions-based position papers on reconciliation and include recommendations in the national pathway;
• establish a national Operational Communications Centre reconciliation strategy to enhance the experience of Indigenous callers who request police assistance;
• prepare the second RCMP Reconciliation Report to provide transparency and accountability to First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities on the RCMP efforts towards reconciliation;
• engage Indigenous employees and communities with lived experience through the RCMP-Indigenous Collaboration, Co-development and Accountability office to provide an Indigenous lens to inform cultural competencies of police services; and,
• develop a National Indigenous Youth Engagement Framework to build positive relationships between Indigenous youth, communities and the RCMP.

First Nations and Inuit Policing Program

The First Nations and Inuit Policing Program, which is administered by Public Safety Canada, financially supports professional, dedicated, and culturally responsive policing services to First Nation and Inuit communities in Canada. In 2023-24, the RCMP will continue to contribute to the ongoing strengthening of the program through community-based policing approaches and working with communities to address their unique policing needs through the Community Consultative Groups. The RCMP will also continue to support Public Safety Canada’s work with Indigenous partners to co-develop a legislative framework for First Nations and Inuit policing.

Gender-based Analysis Plus

• In 2023-24, the RCMP will continue to coordinate its response to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls National Action Plan, applying a GBA Plus lens.
• The RCMP will continue to apply a GBA Plus lens while selecting candidates to participate in the Commissioner’s Advisory Committees.
• All newly acquired safety intervention equipment issued under the RCMP’s efforts to modernize public and police safety intervention equipment will undergo a GBA Plus assessment to ensure equipment can meet the needs of a diverse workforce, and to assess the potential impacts of the use of the equipment on diverse groups.
• Members will also receive new lightweight hard body armour in 2023, which will be individually fitted to ensure it provides both comfort and appropriate protection.
• A GBA Plus assessment will be conducted on the new staffing process to identify Team Commanders.

Innovation

The RCMP Operational Research Unit will continue to:

• evaluate the LifeSkills Training pilot project (an evidence-based, drug prevention program that focuses on changing behaviours of youth) that was piloted during the 2021-2022 fiscal year in three RCMP divisions in collaboration with National Youth Services. The results of this pilot project will determine whether the RCMP should move forward with the national implementation of this program in schools that have partnerships with the RCMP;
• engage with academic researchers to research and evaluate body-worn cameras as they are rolled out on a national scale. This partnership will help ensure transparency and the independence of some evaluation activities during the phased roll-out of body-worn cameras across the country;
• collaborate on the RCMP’s body-worn camera initiative by providing research and evidence-based support with regards to officer compliance with policy and community consultations throughout the field test and the national roll-out;
• collaborate with the Chief Human Resources Office to develop a system for the collection and analysis of race-based data on police interactions with racialized and Indigenous peoples;
• analyze human trafficking files to identify trends and challenges for law enforcement to help improve human trafficking investigations and combat this crime; and,
• review and test the new T7 Conducted Energy Weapon training package, as well as virtual reality training, to determine whether it is beneficial to police training.

Key risks

With respect to the Drug Recognition Expert training program, the uncertainty around COVID-19, the availability and cost of flights, and the increasing cost of supplies and services is impacting the average cost of each training session. This cumulative cost may impact the ability to reach the target of 1,250 certified officers.

Planned results for Contract and Indigenous Policing

The following table shows, for Contract and Indigenous Policing, the planned results, the result indicators, the targets and the target dates for 2023-24, and the actual results for the three most recent fiscal years for which actual results are available.

The financial, human resources and performance information for the RCMP’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase^{footnote 42}.

Planned budgetary spending for Contract and Indigenous Policing

The following table shows, for Contract and Indigenous Policing, budgetary spending for 2023-24, as well as planned spending for that year and for each of the next two fiscal years.

Financial, human resources and performance information for the RCMP’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase^{footnote 43}.

Planned human resources for Contract and Indigenous Policing

The following table shows, in full time equivalents, the human resources the department will need to fulfill this core responsibility for 2023-24 and for each of the next two fiscal years.

Financial, human resources and performance information for the RCMP’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase^{footnote 44}.

Departmental spending 2020-21 to 2025-26

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

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

The following table shows information on spending for each of the RCMP’s core responsibilities and for its internal services for 2023-24 and other relevant fiscal years.

The RCMP’s 2023-24 planned spending is $4.2 billion spread across its three core responsibilities and Internal Services. $1.8 billion is in support of Contract and Indigenous Policing, which provide policing services to provinces, territories, municipalities and Indigenous communities under Police Services Agreements. An additional $1.0 billion is in support of resources devoted to Federal Policing, which encompasses all Federally mandated activities as well as International Policing Operations. Moreover, $0.6 billion is in support of National Police Services functions that are critical to effective, intelligence-led policing. Lastly, there is $0.7 billion in planned spending related to Internal Services and enabling functions that support police operations.

The 2023-24 planned spending reflects the amounts presented in the 2023-24 Main Estimates which represents a decrease of $67.6 million (or 1.6%) in comparison to the 2022-23 Main Estimates. Planned spending for 2024-25, and 2025-26 will remain relatively consistent as compared to 2023-24 (a decrease of $24 million or 0.6%, and a decrease of $31 million or 0.7% respectively).

The decrease in planned spending for 2023-24 of $67.6 million is due to sunsetting funding for specific initiatives and items of $283.2 million offset by $215.6 million of funding for compensation, employee benefit plans, renewal of initiatives, and new government initiatives. The main driver for sunsetting funding is $230.3 million of interim funding for the Grant to compensate Members of the RCMP for injuries received in the performance of duty. The RCMP will be seeking access to incremental funding earmarked in the fiscal framework to ensure there is sufficient funding for payments to members and their survivors.

The RCMP is receiving $215.6 million of incremental funding mainly for compensation adjustments, employee benefit plans, as well as occupational and supplemental health costs for members of the RCMP. Additionally, the RCMP is receiving incremental funding for newly approved initiatives such as: Addressing Systemic Racism; funding to enhance the prevention of Gender-Based-Violence crime; funding for the Federal Framework to address the legacy of residential schools; reprofiled funding related to supply chain delays for capital acquisitions and for the National Cybercrime Coordination Centre. Lastly, the RCMP is receiving funding for the renewal of the existing Federal Framework for the Legalization and Regulation of Cannabis in Canada.

The slight decreases in 2024-25 and 2025-26, are mainly due to funding profile changes in line with the implementation schedule for those initiatives identified above.

Inflationary increases for goods and services continue to impact the cost to deliver mandated activities. The RCMP continues to adapt its operations to deliver its services to Canadians and the law enforcement community, while maintaining safe working conditions for its employees.

2023-24 budgetary gross and net planned spending summary (dollars)

The following table reconciles gross planned spending with net planned spending for 2023-24.

The RCMP vote netted revenue authorities are largely related to the provision of Contract and Indigenous Policing services for recoveries of eligible direct costs from the contract jurisdictions in accordance with the Police Services Agreements. In addition, revenues are collected in relation to DNA analysis through biology casework analysis agreements with provinces and territories, and for services provided by the Canadian Police College to the law enforcement community.

The RCMP’s 2023-24 planned gross spending is $6.2 billion, with $2.0 billion in vote netted revenues, for a total budgetary planned net spending of $4.2 billion.

The planned vote netted revenues in 2024-25 and beyond are consistent with those of 2023-24 at $2.0 billion. The revenues will increase slightly year over year as provinces and municipalities seek additional police services within the Police Services Agreements.

Human resources planning summary for core responsibilities and internal services

Over the past three years, the RCMP’s Training Academy (Depot) temporarily reduced the number of cadets being trained, in response to the various restrictions having been implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19. This in turn, has reduced the number of incremental Regular Members being brought into the organization.

During that same time period, the RCMP has seen a marginal increase (in all categories of employees) of 2.2% in its incremental FTEs, which indicates that resources for incremental initiatives approved by the Government of Canada have been staffed by way of internal realignment rather through incremental resources for the organization. In 2023-24, the RCMP’s planned staffing is expecting to result in an increase of 403 FTEs for a total of 32,119 FTEs in comparison to the 2022-23 forecast. These changes are a result of continued implementation of approved initiatives, in addition to staffing existing vacancies.

Police services and other sectors are facing challenges to attract and retain talent to meet current and emerging priorities. Careers within law enforcement require a special set of skills and talents and the RCMP is competing with other police services within Canada for the same limited talent pool.

These resourcing challenges are likely to hinder RCMP’s ability to reach the targeted planned FTEs in the short to medium term.

Core responsibility: Federal Policing

Federal Policing addresses the most serious and complex criminal threats to the safety and security of Canadians and Canadian interests, including democratic institutions, economic integrity, and physical and cyber infrastructure. Through Federal Policing, the RCMP prevents, detects, and investigates national security, cyber-crime, and transnational and serious organized crime, including financial crime. In addition, it enforces federal statutes, conducts international policing activities, and upholds Canada’s border integrity and the security of significant government-led events, designated officials and dignitaries.

Core responsibility: Specialized Policing Services

Externally, the RCMP provides specialized and technical services to all Canadian law enforcement agencies, which include advanced training for law enforcement; national criminal data repositories; firearms regulation and licensing; and investigative tools and services, including forensics, identification, firearms and child exploitation. Internally, a diverse range of technical services are also provided to advance RCMP operations and investigations, such as the collection of digital evidence and cybercrime intelligence, the delivery of policing information technology tools, and the implementation of departmental and personnel security standards.

Core responsibility: Contract and Indigenous Policing

Under the Police Service Agreements, the RCMP provides policing services to the provinces (except Ontario and Quebec) and territories, as well as municipalities and Indigenous communities including through the First Nations Policing Program. These services include the general administration of justice, consisting of the preservation of the peace, prevention of crime, and fulfilment of all duties as outlined under the laws of Canada or the laws of respective provinces and territories.

Changes to the approved reporting framework since 2022-23