Response to Parliamentary Committees and External Audits

Response to parliamentary committees

Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (March 2013, 41st Parliament, 1st Session)

On February 28, 2013, the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration adopted its Seventh Report, Standing On Guard For Thee: Ensuring That Canada's Immigration System Is Secure. The report was presented to the House of Commons on March 18, 2013. The House of Commons requested a government response, which was tabled on June 17, 2013.

Following the Committee recommendations, the following work related to the RCMP has been undertaken:

  1. The Government of Canada has taken significant measures to secure federal systems and networks including the stringent security protection of databases to withstand potential cyber attacks. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Shared Services Canada are working in close consultation to ensure that technological safeguards are in place to secure the systems that have been developed to collect, use and store biometric information. Digital fingerprints will be securely transmitted to the RCMP for fingerprint matching and storage, where strict security and privacy protection safeguards for biometric information are employed.
  2. The Government supports effective and responsible information sharing among federal partners in accordance with existing laws and authorities, and continues to build on collaborative efforts over the last several years to enhance this essential component of public safety and national security. Existing information sharing arrangements between CIC, the CBSA, the RCMP and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) continue to be reviewed to ensure that they serve the current needs of the security screening program that forms part of Canada's immigration process.
  3. The Government is committed to continuing to work closely with allies to ensure that all sensitive intelligence or other information is effectively shared and protected, according to lawful authorities, international obligations and privacy laws. In 2011, the Minister of Public Safety issued Ministerial Directions on "Information Sharing with Foreign Entities" to CSIS, the RCMP and the CBSA to establish consistent policy on decision making processes regarding information sharing where there may be a risk of mistreatment.
  4. The Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes Program provides a comprehensive response for dealing with persons suspected of committing war crimes and who are attempting to enter, or have entered, Canada. In some cases, a criminal justice response is the most appropriate action, for which the RCMP launches criminal investigations pursuant to the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act.

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Committee Report Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration

Government Response Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration

Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (March 2013, 41st Parliament, 1st Session)

On February 26, 2013, the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology adopted its third Report entitled Intellectual Property Regime In Canada. The report was presented to the House of Commons on March 18, 2013. The House of Commons requested a government response, which was tabled in the House on June 17, 2013.

Following the Committee recommendations, the following progress and corrective actions related to the RCMP were undertaken:

  1. Regarding the recommendation to the effect that the Government of Canada [should] ensure that appropriate authority be vested in the RCMP and border officials to do their work, while ensuring respect for civil liberties and due process, it was noted that Bill C-56 (Combating Counterfeit Products Act) would provide the necessary authorities for the RCMP and customs officials to effectively identify counterfeit and pirated goods. The Bill would make it a criminal offence to knowingly sell, manufacture, cause to manufacture, import, export, attempt to export and possess for the purpose of sale or distribution counterfeit goods and labels on a commercial scale. It also adds the acts of exporting, attempting to export and possessing for sale or rental of pirated goods to the current criminal offences in the Copyright Act. These offences target commercial activity but do not apply to individuals who acquire or use counterfeit or pirated goods for their personal use.
  2. In response to the recommendation to the effect "that the Government of Canada include consumer groups in addition to industry groups in education and coordination efforts to combat piracy and counterfeit";, it was noted that consumer groups will be invited to join the existing Intellectual Property (IP) Crime Working Group coordinated by the Canadian Anti-Counterfeiting Network (CACN) and the RCMP. This Working Group was formed jointly by the RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and CACN as a platform for private sector and federal departments to work together in support of IP enforcement. The IP Crime Working Group is currently comprised of federal departments and agencies (RCMP, CBSA, Industry Canada, Health Canada and the Department of Justice) and private sector representatives (CACN, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Bar Association, Canadian Recording Industry Association and the IP Institute of Canada). Having consumer groups participate in the Working Group will contribute to a more balanced approach to combating counterfeiting and piracy.

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Response to the Auditor General (including to the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development)

Audit of the Administration of the House of Commons Footnote 1 and Audit of the Administration of the Senate Footnote 2

In 2012-13, the Auditor General tabled two audits which examined five areas of House of Commons and Senate Administration including security of the Parliamentary Precinct. The reports were tabled to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration (Senate) and the Board of Internal Economy (House of Commons) in April 2012.

Security Services responds to the security risks and balances public access with the need to provide a safe and secure environment for Members, staff and visitors. There are three parties that are responsible for security on Parliament Hill: the RCMP is responsible for the grounds, and the House of Commons Security Services and Senate Protective Services are responsible for security inside the buildings. Coordination among the three agencies is maximized through the jointly staffed Master Security Plan Office.

The recommendations were addressed to either the Senate or House of Commons Administration. The RCMP was considered a third party in this audit. The audit found the coordination and communications between the three parties responsible for security have improved in recent years. This is due, in large part, to the development of a Master Security Plan by the three forces that allows operations to be coordinated through a jointly staffed office.

Audit of the Protection of Canada's Infrastructure from Cyber Threats Footnote 3

In 2012-13, the Auditor General tabled an audit in which the objective was to determine whether selected federal departments and agencies are helping to secure Canada's critical infrastructure from cyber threats by leading and coordinating activities in partnership with provinces, territories and the private sector. Critical infrastructure consists of physical and information technology assets such as the electricity distribution networks, telecommunications networks, banking systems, manufacturing and transportation systems, as well as government information systems and services that support the continued and effective functioning of government. The audit found that since 2010, with the announcement of the Cyber Security Strategy and of the National Strategy and Action Plan for Critical Infrastructure, the government has made progress in securing its systems against cyber threats.

Although the audit included the activities of the RCMP as a federal department involved in securing the critical infrastructure, the RCMP is only referenced in the report and has no recommendations addressed to them. Recommendations are directed to Public Safety and Treasury Board of Canada.

External audits conducted by the Public Service Commission of Canada or the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages

None.

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