Summary Report – Cross-Cultural Roundtable on Security Meeting – November 15-16, 2024

The Cross-Cultural Roundtable on Security (CCRS) met in Regina, SK, from November 15 to 16, 2024. The event was hosted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) at their Training DEPOT with officials from Public Safety, the Department of Justice, the RCMP, the Canadian Security Intelligence Agency (CSIS), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in attendance.

Recruitment and Retention in the RCMP

RCMP officials presented on their Diverse and Inclusive Pre-Cadet Experience (DICE) and Diversity Retention and Employee Advancement Model (DREAM) programs.

Officials explained that DICE is a new RCMP recruitment and retention initiative focussed on removing barriers that impact racialized and underrepresented groups aspiring to join the RCMP. There was an in depth discussion around the importance of community engagement not only for promoting the program and recruitment to the RCMP, but also for building trust. RCMP officials explained how DICE participants return to their communities and share their experiences at DEPOT and how the program builds trust between the RCMP and community members. Members asked about evaluation of DICE to assess its effectiveness towards retention and were curious to understand what outlying barriers exist that still need to be addressed. Officials confirmed that ongoing evaluations with participants are being conducted to address challenges. 

Officials also introduced DREAM, designed to aid in retaining diverse, racialized and underrepresented employees at risk of leaving the RCMP for other police services or career changes. They shared that for new diverse, racialized and underrepresented members, the desire to leave is often derived from being posted to communities where they are not represented, have no cultural ties, and are not supported. Members welcomed the program but raised concerns about continued challenges and the high demand for these workshops. Members also asked about other supports available within the RCMP and stressed the need for a broader cultural shift. Officials outlined various supports available to RCMP members and their families, while also highlighting the RCMP’s realigned EDI strategy and the anti-racism strategy (currently underway) as essential steps for addressing feedback and identifying solutions.

Recruitment in the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) of CSIS led a discussion on recruitment in IT and proudly flagged that she was the first female CIO in the history of the Service. The CIO highlighted longstanding challenges in recruiting and retaining women in IT, exacerbated by COVID as employees sought remote work options more readily available in other government departments and private industry. The CIO also discussed CSIS’ Women in IT initiative that is focussed on outreach, ensuring women are on hiring/review boards and proactively identifying and addressing barriers that may keep women from applying for – and staying with CSIS.

An Indigenous CSIS Intelligence Officer shared insights into Indigenous recruitment initiatives, explaining that while Indigenous populations show high potential for intelligence careers, there is often limited awareness about opportunities at CSIS. Challenges include visibility, transparency, and building trust at the community level, which are critical for successful recruitment.

Members were highly engaged, offering suggestions, such as attending computer science career fairs, connecting with younger generations to educate them about CSIS careers, and proactively engaging potential candidates passionate about IT and computer science. 

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and National Security

IRCC led a discussion on the current global context and its impact on Canadian immigration programs. Officials noted significant growth in programs and the challenges posed by cybersecurity, climate migration, and humanitarian crises post-Covid. Attendees discussed the importance of maintaining and enhancing trust and confidence in IRCC’s programs, including strategies to improve equity, transparency, and anti-racism measures.

Canada’s Security Screening Process

CBSA and CSIS then joined the IRCC to lead a discussion on Canada’s security screening process. Members recognized that immigration is not the enemy, however they flagged the importance of predictability, transparency, and fairness in the system, and clarity on the screening process. Members highlighted confusion among applicants regarding how the process works, which creates distrust in the system. IRCC agreed that all three elements are important and indicated that better data management and information sharing would help address these challenges. IRCC also explained that the complexity of the system, and the fact that there are many exceptions to cases, can affect predictability and transparency. There was a discussion around the importance of communications so there is clarity for those in Canada and abroad as they navigate the system. It was agreed that the whole narrative around immigration is changing and that the federal government must be nimble and proactive in its communications. Attendees also discussed combatting misinformation and conspiracy theories surrounding the immigration systems, reinforcing the need for clear and consistent communication and transparency as a whole.

National Crime Prevention Strategy and the Canada Community Security Program  

Public Safety Canada provided an overview of the new National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) and the Canada Community Security Program (CCSP). Officials explained how the CCSP aims to reduce barriers to applying by simplifying the application process and broadening program eligibility. Through NCPS, consultants help communities navigate funding applications effectively.

Members flagged key issues, including awareness of these programs among smaller organizations, especially those without English or French proficiency. They emphasized the importance of conducting outreach in the communities’ preferred languages and aligning funding processes with community realities. The importance of continuous funding programs was also emphasized; as short-term grants disrupt the continuity of initiatives, leading to gaps that have negative impacts. Attendees also discussed identifying gaps in engagement, improving communication, and ensuring programs effectively meet community needs. The Community Resilience Fund (CRF) was also mentioned as another Public Safety funding program, focusing on prevention (whereas CCSP is more responsive).

Immigration and Detention

CBSA shared insights on Canada’s Immigration Detention Framework (NIDF) and led a discussion on the NIDF’s impacts on Canada’s immigration system, how CBSA manages high-risk detainees and sought input from members on how the CBSA can improve its mental health supports to detainees. Members were curious about reasons for detention, the average length of detention, and why detention numbers seem to be so high. They also asked about Canada’s preparation at the border for the incoming administration and wanted more details about the Safe Third Country Agreement. There was a discussion on alternatives to detention (ATD) and CBSA flagged that those with mental health issues would be moved to a mental health facility to receive necessary supports. Members had questions around high-risk detainees and ATDs and CBSA explained that they carefully manage who is detained and who is offered ATDs based on several factors, including having to manage limited capacity.

Justice Canada - Black Justice Strategy

Officials from Justice Canada presented the newly launched Canada Black Justice Strategy, outlining its development, pillars of work, and the next steps toward implementation. Members highlighted the importance of data collection and communication strategies to engage communities effectively. Justice Canada emphasized the need for targeted youth interventions, data-driven policies, and restorative practices to ensure successful outcomes. Officials acknowledged ongoing work and committed to returning with updates as implementation progresses.

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