Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

Public Safety Canada's 2024 to 2025 Report

Table of contents

Introduction to the 2024 to 2025 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report

The 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy presents the Government of Canada's sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. This is the first Federal Sustainable Development Strategy to be framed using the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and provides a balanced view of the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainable development.

In keeping with the purpose of the Act, to make decision-making related to sustainable development more transparent and accountable to Parliament, Public Safety Canada supports the goals laid out in the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy through the activities described in Public Safety Canada's 2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy. This Report provides a report on progress related to Public Safety Canada's Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy in the fiscal year 2024 to 2025.

The Federal Sustainable Development Act also sets out 7 principles that must be considered in the development of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy as well as Departmental Sustainable Development Strategies. These basic principles have been considered and incorporated in Public Safety Canada's Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy and 2024 to 2025 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report.

To promote coordinated action on sustainable development across the Government of Canada, Public Safety Canada's departmental strategy reports on Canada's progress towards implementing the 2030 Agenda and advancing the SDGs, supported by the Global Indicator Framework (GIF) and Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) targets and indicators. The Report also now captures progress on SDG initiatives that fall outside the scope of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.

Commitments for Public Safety Canada

Goal 1: Reduce poverty in Canada in all its forms

Initiatives advancing Canada's implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 1 – No Poverty

The following initiatives demonstrate how Public Safety Canada programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Planned initiatives

Emergency Management Strategy for Canada

Public Safety Canada recognizes that disasters disproportionately impact vulnerable populations and communities. The Department will continue to work with civil society and international partners to uphold to the principles of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 – 2030 (Sendai Framework) to reduce disaster risks, adapt to climate change and foster resilience in a manner that reduces inequities towards most vulnerable populations, including, but not limited to women, Indigenous People, and minority communities.

The Emergency Management Strategy for Canada (EM Strategy) builds on the foundational principles, roles and responsibilities articulated in the EM Framework and the Sendai Framework to establish federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) priorities to strengthen the resilience of Canadian society by 2030. Four of the EM Strategy's priority areas align with the Sendai Framework's four priorities for action, while the EM Strategy establishes an additional priority area to enhance disaster response capacity and coordination and foster the development of new capabilities. These EM Strategy priority areas are used to guide EM policy development in Canada.

The National Risk Profile is Canada's strategic, national-level disaster risk assessment, and constitutes a key part of the EM Strategy. It is one of many Government of Canada initiatives that aim to strengthen Canada's emergency preparedness and keep Canadians safe in the event of a disaster. It is also an important action under Canada's National Adaptation Strategy, which provides a national framework for action to help ensure that whole-of-society partners have clarity on roles and responsibilities in disaster risk management, and support adaptation actions that are cohesive, targeted, and strategic.

Program: Emergency Preparedness

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of "Reduce poverty in Canada in all its forms"

The Global Indicator Framework target 1.5 "By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters".

Results achieved

The following United Nations Global Indicator Framework (GIF) indicators have a close connection with PS work on emergency management:

GIF Indicator 1.5.1 – Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population:

GIF Indicator 1.5.2 - Direct economic loss attributed to disasters in relation to global gross domestic product (GDP): no data.

GIF Indicator 1.5.3 - Number of countries that adopt and implement national disaster risk reduction strategies in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030:

GIF Indicator 1.5.4 - Proportion of local* governments that adopt and implement local disaster risk reduction strategies in line with national disaster risk reduction strategies.)

The achievement of the UN GIF targets are supported by the following initiatives:

Initiatives undertaken in 2024 to 2025 to renew the Emergency Management Strategy (EMS) have been preliminary in nature due to competing priorities at the governance level including from the Federal, Provincial and Territorial (FPT) Senior Officials Responsible for Emergency Management (SOREM). As a result of early engagement with SOREM and working-level PT representatives, the renewal of the EMS is now planned to take place between 2025 to 2026 and 2026 to 2027. In addition, an FTP Working Group has been established and a work-plan for both the EMS and Emergency Management Framework (EMF) renewal is awaiting SOREM approval.

The National Risk Profile (NRP) was a five-year initiative which sunset in 2024. Public Safety Canada (PS) continues to consider options for building on the tools and intelligence created through the NRP. The NRP provides all jurisdictions in Canada with data about the most important impacts and gaps with regards to emergencies in Canada, enabling governments to take corrective actions and thus enabling them to reduce exposure and vulnerability to extreme events through those corrective actions. Throughout 2024 to 2025, PS completed the second round of NRP assessments and conducted an analysis of the data, which is being prepared for publication. Interim results are already being used to feed into various federal initiatives, including:

The EMS includes a comprehensive set of initiatives across the whole of government to increase Canadians' disaster resilience, with measures targeted towards understanding risk, preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. Increasing Canada's resilience will reduce the vulnerability to disaster for all of Canadian society, including those in particularly challenging situations.

Federal Framework to Reduce Recidivism - Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative 2023 (ICCI)

Public Safety Canada (PS) provides a variety of supports targeted specifically at Indigenous offenders to help them reintegrate into communities following incarceration and/or to propose alternative measures to incarceration. In February 2023, PS's Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative (ICCI) contribution funding program was renewed. In total, the ICCI has received a budget of $56 million in contribution funding over 5 fiscal years, starting in 2023-2024 with $5.21 million, and then $12.7 million ongoing thereafter. The ICCI supports organizations across Canada that work with Indigenous offenders to provide reintegration projects or alternative measures to incarceration. Through knowledge building, knowledge sharing, capacity building, training, and direct interventions, the ICCI seeks to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in Canada's criminal justice system and to reduce recidivism rates amongst this group. The ICCI, by supporting community-based and culturally tailored 'wrap around' opportunities, interventions, and resources to justice-involved Indigenous peoples with employment, educational, life skill training, substance abuse and mental health treatment, and housing, can contribute to poverty reduction amongst Indigenous offenders and their extended families within Canada.

Program: Corrections

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition/target of "Reduce poverty in Canada in all its forms"/ 1.1 "By 2030, a 50% reduction in the rate of poverty, compared to the 2015 level";

The Global Indicator Framework target 1.2 "By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions".

Results achieved

PS, via the Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative (ICCI), part of the Federal Framework to Reduce Recidivism Action Plan, is advancing multi-year initiatives to support alternatives to custody and promote successful reintegration. These efforts focus on developing culturally-informed assessments and interventions tailored to the needs of Indigenous individuals involved in the justice system. In collaboration with Statistics Canada, the initiatives leverage data-linkage methods through the Pan-Canadian Recontact Project to track and analyze recidivism outcomes. 

Two major projects are underway:

  1. ICCI-Recontact Project: This study compares three-year reconviction rates between Indigenous individuals who participated in Indigenous-culture-informed community corrections programs and a control group who did not participate in such programs. Final results are expected in fiscal year 2030 to 2031;
  2. Socioeconomic Recontact Study: This study is focused on how income and employment influence recidivism among racialized groups—especially Black and Indigenous individuals. By linking socioeconomic data with recidivism information, the project aims to enhance risk assessments and interventions. Completion is targeted for fiscal year 2025 to 2026.

Goal 3: Support mental health and adopt healthy behaviours

Federal Sustainable Development Strategy context

Public Safety Canada recognizes that maintaining healthy lives and promoting the well-being of Canadians is essential to sustainable development and building prosperous, peaceful and inclusive societies. As a key contributing department in the Federal Implementation Plan for the 2030 Agenda, Public Safety Canada is committed to improving the well-being of Canadians through initiatives to keep them safe. Public Safety Canada works diligently with its federal partners, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), to build law enforcement capacity to enforce new and stronger laws related to drug-impaired driving. The Drug Impaired Driving Initiative (DID) is designed to follow through on the federal Government's key objectives of protecting public health, safety, and security. More specifically, the initiative aims to protect public safety on roadways in Canada by equipping law enforcement with the tools, technology and training necessary to enforce the new drug-impaired driving legislation, and by adding to this deterrence through research, public awareness, and the development of evidence-based policies.

Implementation strategies supporting the goal

This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal "Support mental health and adopt healthy behaviours" but not a specific Federal Sustainable Development Strategy target.

Implementation strategy

Other

Departmental action

Drug-impaired driving initiative

Program: Serious and Organized Crime

Performance indicator, starting point, and target

Performance indicator: Percentage of Canadians who report driving within two hours of cannabis use within the past 12 months.

Starting point: 27% (2018 baseline)

Target: at most 20% by March 31, 2025

How the departmental action contributes to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and Sustainable Development Goals

This initiative aims to enhance law enforcement capacity to detect and deter drug-impaired driving and reduce the number of Canadians who report driving after drug use, in particular within two hours of smoking cannabis or four hours of ingesting cannabis. To continue supporting evidence-based development of drug-related policies, legislation, and programs, the Department conducts outreach and research projects on drug impaired driving. Contributing on a domestic level towards improving the adoption of healthy behaviors and preventing premature deaths, and globally to decrease the number of global deaths and injuries from road and traffic accidents.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results achieved

Indicator Result: 15%

Notes: The latest figures from the 2024 Canadian Cannabis Survey show that of respondents reported they have driven a vehicle within 2 hours of smoking or vaporizing cannabis within the past 12 months, a reduction from 26.4% in 2019, and meeting the target set by the initiative.

13.7 % of respondents reported they have driven a vehicle within 4 hours of ingesting a cannabis product within the past 12 months, a decrease from 15.9% in 2019, the first year this data was captured.

Starting in 2023, the phrases 'for non-medical purposes' and 'for medical purposes' were removed from several survey questions; people who had consumed cannabis for any purpose in the past 12 months were asked the same questions to allow results to be disaggregated by medical versus non-medical use. These changes were retained in 2024. This indicator result is based on the percentage of non-medical consumers who reported having driven a vehicle within 2 hours of smoking or vaping cannabis in the past 12 months.

Launched in 2017, the Department's Don't Drive High public awareness campaign informed Canadians of the dangers and risks associated with drug-impaired driving and consisted of public communication, outreach, and advertising. The campaign was successful in achieving all targets and, in 2020, gained international recognition by winning the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's Road Safety Award for Best Intervention by a Public Body.

Goal 5: Champion gender equality

Initiatives advancing Canada's implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 5 – Gender Equality

The following initiatives demonstrate how Public Safety Canada programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Planned initiatives

Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) Advisor Network

The departmental GBA Plus Advisor Network will continue to support GBA Plus Advisors in their role by hosting regular meetings to discuss upcoming activities, identify gaps, raise awareness of roles and responsibilities, promote available resources, and provide working-level support for integrating considerations that advance gender equality in Public Safety Canada's work, as appropriate. Public Safety Canada uses a de-centralized governance approach to GBA Plus, with accountability for implementation residing with each Branch Assistant Deputy Minister, and supported by an advisor network with representation from all Directorates across the organization.

This structure is designed to strengthen organizational capacity to apply GBA Plus more effectively and consistently in policy and program development at the earliest stages and throughout the policy/program life-cycle –from implementation to evaluation, casting a broader net and increasing the resources available to share, teach, and champion GBA Plus across the organization in diverse areas of responsibility. The de-centralized model, increases the Department's capacity to assess how various groups of women, men, and gender diverse people may experience policies, programs, and other Departmental initiatives.

Program: Internal Services (Management and Oversight)

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Global Indicator Framework target 5.c – "Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels"

Results achieved

The GBA Plus Centre of Expertise (CoE) along with the leadership of the GBA Plus Advisor Network, is comprised of more than 50 employees. Together, they supported and championed the use of GBA Plus in the Department by promoting and using various resources to support the application of GBA Plus in departmental responsibilities, including program and policy development and implementation. Below are some key activities, results and deliverables for 2024 to 2025 specific to the GBA Plus Advisor Network:

GBA Plus Centre of Expertise

The departmental GBA Plus Centre of Expertise will continue to enhance existing GBA Plus tools, provide guidance on GBA Plus requirements, and raise awareness of existing resources and capacity-building opportunities in collaboration with the departmental

Program: Internal Services (Management and Oversight)

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Global Indicator Framework target 5.c – "Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels"

Results achieved

The GBA Plus Centre of Expertise (CoE) along with the leadership of the GBA Plus Advisor Network is comprised of more than 50 employees. Together, they supported and championed the use of GBA Plus in the Department by promoting and using various resources to support the application of GBA Plus in departmental responsibilities, including program and policy development and implementation. Below are some key activities, results and deliverables for 2024 to 2025 specific to the CoE:

The National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking

The National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking (NSTCHT) counters human trafficking, advance gender equality and protect marginalized and vulnerable groups, including Indigenous women and girls.

As human trafficking is considered one of the worst forms of gender-based violence, the NSTCHT complements Canada's Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence. It is also responsive to the Calls for Justice in The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (NIMMIWG), as human trafficking and sexual exploitation have been strongly linked to the disproportionately high rates of violence against Indigenous women and girls. Additionally, a significant proportion of victims affected by online child sexual exploitation (OCSE) are girls. Through the NSTCHT, PS supports the development of culturally-relevant support services for Indigenous survivors, develops awareness and training tools for targeted groups, and promotes culturally-sensitive training and awareness.

Program: Serious and Organized Crime

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of "Eliminat[ing] gender-based violence and harassment"

The Global Indicator Framework target 5.2 "Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation".

Results achieved

Between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, the Department supported six community-based empowerment projects for Indigenous peoples, including one Indigenous-led initiative, Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc. in Winnipeg delivered the Mush Kow Zee Ikwe – Strong Woman's Project, offering culturally grounded supports such as mentorship, counselling, life-skills and pre-employment training, and housing assistance to Indigenous females and non-binary youth aged 14 to 29.

By participating in activities that fostered self-expression, decision-making, and peer connection, youth built confidence and resilience which are known to be key protective factors against sexual exploitation and human trafficking. The program's focus on skill-building and emotional support enabled participants to set personal goals, seek help when needed, and engage in cultural practices, all of which contributed to reducing their vulnerability to violence.

The National Strategy for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation (National Strategy)

The National Strategy's overarching goal is to ensure that all children (including girls) are protected from online sexual. Initiatives under the National Strategy focus on increasing awareness of the risks of online child sexual exploitation (OCSE), identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting offenders, protecting victims from further abuse, and advancing knowledge of OCSE with national and international partners. Specifically, PS has developed and implemented a national campaign to raise awareness on OCSE, is funding Internet Child Exploitation Units across Canada to increase law enforcement capacity to complete investigations and increased the likelihood of successful prosecutions, and has developed an annual webinar series to provide updates on what is being done within federal, provincial/territorial jurisdictions, civil society and the private sector to advance efforts in combatting OCSE, share information on best practices and lessons learned, as well as facilitate discussions around gaps and challenges related to this crime.

Program: Serious and Organized Crime

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of "Eliminat[ing] gender-based violence and harassment"

The Global Indicator Framework target 5.2 "Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation".

Results achieved

Public Safety Canada (PS) provides $6 million per year, including in 2024 to 2025, to enhance the investigative capacity of provincial and municipal Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) units under the Contribution Program to Combat Serious and Organized Crime. This funding allows to hire staff and procure software and hardware to strengthen pro-active undercover online investigations capabilities to identify, locate and assist child victims of online sexual abuse; identify and pursue sexual predators who seek to harm children online; and work with other partners to improve the safety of all children, through education and awareness.

PS currently has contribution agreements with 7 provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia) to provide support for ICE Units. These agreements will end in fiscal year 2026 to 2027, but provinces will be able to re-apply to continue receiving funds to support their provincial and municipal ICE units from then on.

Additionally, the delivery of PS' annual webinar series on online child sexual exploitation (OCSE) focused on child protection in online gaming environments and reached over 700 participants, representing law enforcement, game developers, parents, caregivers, educators and civil society organizations. Of these, 85% agreed the webinar provided me with knowledge, practical mitigation strategies, and resources to help guide and protect children in online gaming environment and 80% felt more confident in discussing online gaming safety with children under their care.

In recognition that OCSE is a gendered crime, that predominantly targets girls aged 12 to 17 years old, the National Strategy for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation on the Internet provides $1.3 million annually in ongoing funding through the Gender-Based Violence Strategy to enhance public awareness of OCSE, improve policy coordination and research, and support the Canadian Centre for Child Protection's initiatives. One such funded initiative was Project Arachnid, which is a set of tools that supports victims by proactively searching and detecting their Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and sending removal notices to Electronic Service Providers (ESPs). Project Arachnid thus reduces instances of re-traumatization and combats the proliferation of CSAM across Canada by proactively flagging other harmful-abusive material, in collaboration with domestic and international child protection hotlines and ESPs.

Federal Pathway - dedication to advancing the Calls for Justice

PS will continue to be steadfast in the support for the implementation of the Federal Pathway and dedication to advancing the Calls for Justice - PS will continue to be actively engaged into horizontal collaboration to advance the response to the calls for Justice of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls which are intrinsically connected to United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples principles.

Addressing Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People will contribute to the goal of advancing gender equality by positively contributing to their safety and wellbeing. Furthermore, this action contributes to the goal by increasing Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ access to justice. This is supported through, amongst other initiatives, the co-development of federal legislation to recognize First Nations polices services as essential services which is understood to mean that First Nations police services are supported with equitable, adequate and stable federal funding. This includes funding to support culturally responsive police services that are critical for community safety and wellbeing (i.e., First Nation police services representative of communities served and inclusive of women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people).

Program: Indigenous Policing

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of "Eliminat[ing] gender-based violence and harassment";

The Global Indicator Framework target 5.1 "End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere".

Results achieved

Public Safety Canada continued to contribute to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People Calls for Action by promoting culturally-responsive police services that support improved safety and wellbeing outcomes in First Nations and Inuit communities.

Goal 9: Foster innovation and green infrastructure in Canada

Initiatives advancing Canada's implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

The following initiatives demonstrate how Public Safety Canada programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Planned initiatives

Public Safety Broadband Network

A Public Safety Broadband Network (PSBN) is a secure, resilient and interoperable high-speed wireless data communications network. A future PSBN would be used by emergency responders and public safety personnel to communicate with each other in emergency situations, major events, and during day-to-day operations, and holds the potential to improve the effectiveness and safety of first responders and the public safety community.

A nationwide PSBN would enable new and innovative technologies and applications that enhance the ability of the emergency response community to more efficiently deliver services to Canadians, including vulnerable communities.

A future PSBN would be a key piece of Canada's critical communications infrastructure with synergies with other broadband and wireless initiatives. Sharing telecommunications infrastructure would strengthen the resiliency of the country's telecommunications system which is crucial for the delivery of emergency services to Canadians and could support the build-out of infrastructure and services for users in rural, remote and Indigenous communities.

Program: Emergency Response / Recovery

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition 9.4 of "Canadians have access to modern and sustainable infrastructure"

Results achieved

A future Public Safety Broadband Network (PSBN) is a secure, resilient, and interoperable wireless communications network for public protection and disaster response. This is a capability demanded by first responders and public safety personnel. A Government of Canada decision will be required on the governance framework for a future PSBN including the potential establishment of a new authority to oversee and lead the development of the network.

Consultations on models were conducted from August to October of 2024 with a variety of affected stakeholders across Canada, who provided feedback towards the shape of a future PSBN in accordance with their technical expertise. These consultations continue to better enable Public Safety Canada to plan a PSBN that is technically feasible and accessible. A report detailing the consultation was released in March 2025. The next step will be to seek a decision on the way-forward. Realizing a nationwide PSBN in Canada would provide the platform for deploying new and innovative technologies and applications that enhance emergency response.

Goal 10: Advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and take action on inequality

Federal Sustainable Development Strategy context

Social, economic, and environmental inequalities persist in Canada. These inequalities disproportionately affect people with multiple intersecting identity factors such as gender identity and expression, race and ethnicity, faith community, Indigeneity, disability, sexual orientation, and low socioeconomic status. Public Safety Canada established the Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Secretariat, whose work includes providing horizontal support to the Department in further enhancing D&I and addressing systemic barriers and racism, and unconscious bias within the workplace, and to advancing the departmental Strategic Framework on Diversity and Inclusion.

Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples is essential to addressing social, economic and environmental inequalities and achieving substantive equality. Urgent action is needed to close the social, economic, health, environmental protection, and educational gaps between Indigenous Peoples and the rest of Canada to ensure that everyone in Canada can enjoy the same quality of life, regardless of who they are or where they were born. Public Safety Canada is committed to contributing towards advancing reconciliation with Indigenous people and taking action on inequality. Public Safety Canada also supports Indigenous-led community safety and well-being approaches through the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative (ACSPI). Created in 2010 as part of Canada's response to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, the ACSPI supports Indigenous communities in developing Community Safety Plans (CSPs) that identify their unique safety priorities and design community-led solutions that address issues of community safety in a holistic, culturally relevant, and long-term manner. The Initiative actively solicits participation in the program and also accepts requests by Indigenous communities and organizations to participate as it is important that the community leaders fully support the concept and demonstrate commitment through the stages of the CSP process.

Target theme

Advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis communities

Target

Between 2023 and 2026, and every year on an ongoing basis, develop and table annual progress reports on implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada)

Implementation strategy

Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

Departmental action

Support Indigenous communities to address their unique safety priorities through the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative.

Program: Corrections

Performance indicator, starting point, and target

Performance indicator: Percentage of engaged Indigenous communities who participate in Community Safety Planning processes

Starting point: 48% of engaged communities participated

Target: 80%

How the departmental action contributes to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and Sustainable Development Goals

The Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative (ACSPI) contribute to advance the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act action plan no. 58 by supporting Indigenous communities in developing Community Safety Plans (CSPs) that identify their unique safety priorities and design community-led solutions that address issues of community safety in a holistic, culturally relevant, and long-term manner. This community-driven approach ensures that the resulting CSP addresses priorities identified by the community that are specific to their particular circumstances. During the development of CSPs, the community also identifies their own strengths, assets, and safety and wellness goals. Through the Community Safety Planning process, the ACSPI advances reconciliation with Indigenous communities and enhances the capacity of communities to contribute to and address their community safety concerns.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results achieved

Indicator result: 41%

Notes: In 2024 to 2025, the ACSPI worked with Indigenous communities to complete 11 Community Safety Plans (CSPs), which were led and designed within each community. An additional 24 communities participated in at least one safety planning session with a Public Safety Canada (PS)-funded facilitator (this makes a total of 40 out of 97 communities engaged), and those CSPs will remain ongoing through 2025 to 2026.

The indicator target was not met for the fiscal year due to a combination of increased outreach efforts and extenuating challenges in engaged communities. ACSPI Program Officers conduct regular outreach throughout the year to onboard communities, however, not all communities are in the position to participate in the safety planning process on account of factors such as ongoing states of emergency, evacuations due to wildfires, and changes in leadership, inter alia. The fact that the result did mot met the indicator target does not imply that these communities cannot be onboarded to work with ACSPI in the future, but simply indicates that communities faced unique challenges in 2024 to 2025 resulting in some being unable to participate at that time. In 2025 to 2026, Program Officers will continue to engage with communities in the hopes that all who wish to participate in the safety planning process have the capacity and opportunity to do so.

Importantly, the ACSPI continues to provide funding through nine contribution agreements for communities and organizations across Canada to develop and implement their own community safety projects, two of which were newly entered into in 2024 to 2025.

The ACSPI contributes to advancing the Departmental Sustainable Development Goal of Advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and taking action on inequality by supporting Indigenous communities in developing Community Safety Plans (CSPs) that identify their unique safety priorities and design community-led solutions that address issues of community safety in a holistic, culturally relevant, and long-term manner. This community-driven approach ensures that the resulting CSP addresses priorities identified by the community that are specific to their particular circumstances.

During the development of CSPs, the community also identifies their own strengths, assets, and safety and wellness goals. Through the Community Safety Planning process and by funding Indigenous safety projects, the ACSPI advances reconciliation with Indigenous communities and enhances the capacity of communities to address their community safety concerns. This contributes to reducing inequalities in Indigenous communities by endeavoring to equip them with the capacity, tools and resources necessary to address the underlying safety issues threatening community prosperity. For instance, a community in Saskatchewan leveraged their CSP to receive funding under the Aboriginal Community Safety Development Contribution Program for a five-year implementation project targeting crime prevention. This funding will be put towards community activities that will lead to increased opportunities for members to participate in diverse social, cultural, healing, health and safety initiatives improving physical, emotional, and social safety. These activities will lead to a reduction in inequality of outcomes by providing space and opportunity for more positive social outcomes for community members.

Additionally, in April 2024, the ACSPI hosted an Indigenous Evaluation Engagement in Edmonton, which brought together Indigenous funding recipients, professional evaluators, and experts in Indigenous ethics and evaluation methodologies to discuss challenges and opportunities in evaluation. The engagement resulted in several key recommendations to strengthen PS' evaluations of projects targeting Indigenous Peoples. Recommendations include centering Indigenous perspectives and ownership, respecting language and Indigenous ways of knowing, and emphasizing flexibility, partnerships and collaboration. A What-We-Heard Report and visual summary were created as a result of this engagement and are anticipated for publication on PS' website in 2025 to 2026.

Initiatives advancing Canada's implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 10 – Reduced Inequalities

The following initiatives demonstrate how Public Safety Canada programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Planned initiatives

Federal Framework to Reduce Recidivism

The Federal Framework to Reduce Recidivism (FFRR), was the first step in identifying crucial factors that impact why people reoffend and how to support safe and successful reintegration into the community. The Framework outlined five priority themes key to the successful reintegration of individuals: housing, education, employment, health, and positive support networks. Additionally, the Framework highlighted the need to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous Peoples, Black Canadians, and other marginalized groups in Canada's criminal justice system. The FFRR will contribute to reducing overrepresentation of Indigenous Peoples in the criminal justice system by supporting rehabilitation and safer communities (including through culturally appropriate interventions) and tailored supports for community reintegration.

Program: Crime Prevention

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

Supporting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA) action plan no. 61: Support the safe and successful reintegration of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system into the community;

The Global Indicator Framework target 10.3 "Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard."

Results achieved

Efforts under the Federal Framework to Reduce Recidivism (FFRR), released in 2023, aim to enhance public safety and help to improve the reintegration of individuals who have experienced incarceration, particularly those from overrepresented groups in the federal correctional system.

In 2024 to 2025, Public Safety Canada (PS) worked closely with partners to implement actions that were included as part of the Implementation Plan. Initiatives aimed at decolonizing and indigenizing community corrections have provided more appropriate support for Indigenous individuals, addressing their unique needs and helping to improve reintegration outcomes.

Funding provided under PS' Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative (ICCI), a key initiative under the FFRR, will support community-based corrections projects working to reintegrate Indigenous incarcerated individuals and/or offer alternative measures to incarceration through project development and implementation, training and capacity building, knowledge building, and knowledge sharing. Funded projects will offer a range of services that could include healing and reintegration ceremonies, traditional and Western counseling, traditional knowledge acquisition, and programs that offer wrap-around services. The ICCI has been renewed and expanded to broaden the reach and scope of the program to create more tailored opportunities for 2SLGBTQQIA+ people and women.

PS funded a pilot project that explored how St. Leonard's Society of Canada and its affiliates can better apply decolonizing and Indigenizing strategies to contribute to advancing the Truth & Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action. St. Leonard's Society developed decolonizing and Indigenizing strategies that they and their affiliates can use. Through this project, an Indigenous Consultant and Project Lead organized virtual and in-person workshops to discuss key themes to advance their understanding of the issues. The Indigenous Consultant also conducted supplemental interviews/surveys with key stakeholders. An in-depth literature review supported this work. A resource page is being developed on St. Leonard's Society's website for Indigenous-specific resources.

The Department also funded a pilot project for the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies to bring together justice workers from various sectors in the North to meet and share knowledge, as they collaborate on community corrections to better understand and support reintegration of Indigenous women and gender-diverse people returning to northern communities. In February 2024, First Nation governments, non-profit and Indigenous organizations, territorial justice workers, activists, and people with lived experience of incarceration met in Whitehorse. During that time, many objectives were reached including increased community capacity and capacity of First Nation justice departments to support individuals returning to community post-incarceration and an opportunity for justice workers to connect and build relationships and share knowledge on specific justice programming available to people returning to their home communities post-incarceration. This meeting also helped to streamline cross-sectoral supportive services for Indigenous women and gender-diverse people returning to their home communities in the Yukon post-incarceration to reduce recidivism in the territory. Relationships were built with stakeholders interested in advancing alternatives to incarceration.

Diversity and Inclusion Secretariat (D&I Secretariat)

The D&I Secretariat plays a lead role in advancing Public Safety Canada's diversity and inclusion efforts, working with the Public Safety portfolio organizations and other government departments in the coordination and sharing of information and best practices. The D&I Secretariat's work includes providing horizontal support to the Department in further enhancing D&I and addressing systemic barriers and racism, and unconscious bias within the workplace, and to advance the departmental Strategic Framework on Diversity and Inclusion.

Program: Internal services (Management and Oversight)

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Global Indicator Framework target: 10.2 "By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status";

10.3 "Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard";

10.6 "Ensure enhanced representation and voice for developing countries in decision-making in global international economic and financial institutions in order to deliver more effective, credible, accountable and legitimate institutions."

Results achieved

Public Safety Canada's Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Secretariat continues to advance the departmental Strategic Framework on Diversity and Inclusion, implementing year two of Public Safety Canada's Accessibility Plan 2023 to 2026 and the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan 2024 to 2027 to remove barriers, improve representation, measure progress, assign hiring and promotional targets for employment equity groups, and create a diverse and inclusive departmental culture. For example:

Immigration Levels Plan

Compassionate and effective management of the border ensures that Canadian safety, security, and mobility is maintained. Public Safety Canada coordinates policy advice to ensure that risks and resource implications are carefully considered and incorporated in the planning of the number of new permanent residents to be admitted to Canada (e.g., economic class, family class, refugees, protected persons).

Program: Border Policy

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Global Indicator Framework target 10.7 "Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies" by ensuring that Canadians, international migrants, and national and international goods can safely and effectively enter Canada.

Results achieved

Public Safety Canada coordinated with Canadian and United States (U.S.) partners to provide immigration security and border policy advice to the Minister of Public Safety on several immigration security issues, such as:

As a result of PS's advice, appropriate screening levels were maintained, and backlogs were reduced, in alignment with the reduction of permanent and temporary resident intakes part of the 2024 immigration levels plan.

Visa Policy

Public Safety Canada provides advice on safety and security matters to inform decision-making related to the Government of Canada's visa policy. Public Safety contributes to advancing global target 10.7 "Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies" by ensuring that Canadians, international migrants, and national and international goods can safely and effectively enter Canada.

Program: Border Policy

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Global Indicator Framework target 10.7 "Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies" by ensuring that Canadians, international migrants, and national and international goods can safely and effectively enter Canada.

Results achieved

Public Safety Canada (PS) advised on the implementation of a partial visa requirement for Mexican nationals. The implementation of the requirement over the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year led to a 74% reduction in asylum claims, helping to preserve system integrity and support regular migration pathways.

PS also supported policy changes that ended the practice of flagpoling, resulting in an 86% decrease in occurrences and significantly reducing operational strain at border crossings.

Finally, the Department also supported the Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada-led implementation of visa information-sharing with the U.S. improving the detection of immigration and border threats and contributing to safer and more coordinated border operations.

Implement United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Coordination with Portfolio Partners

With the passage of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA), the Government of Canada must, in consultation and collaboration with Indigenous peoples, take all measures necessary to ensure that the laws of Canada are consistent with UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Public Safety will be working with its portfolios and branches colleagues and with Federal partners to coordinate Public Safety's response to the UNDA action plan.

The Action Plan 2023-2028 was tabled in Parliament on June 21, 2023, and subsequently publicly released. PS and portfolio partners have submitted Action Plan Measures (APMs) under the thematic areas of: (i) anti-human trafficking; (ii) community safety and well-being; (iii) policing; (iv) reducing recidivism and the overrepresentation of Indigenous People in corrections; (v) Indigenous emergency management; (vi) firearms; (vii) community safety and oversight; (viii) mutual respect and good relationship; (IX) security threats; (X) self-determination and self-government; (XI) conditional release; (XII) correctional services; and (XIII) border and migration.

PS is working closely with OGDs and Indigenous partners to implement APM that are shared priorities. For example, PS is leveraging shared priorities with Justice Canada under the Indigenous Justice Strategy and the Pan-Canadian Strategy to Address Overrepresentation of Indigenous People in the Criminal Justice System to advance the implementation of the Act.

The transformational shift in how the Government of Canada, including PS, will promote free, prior, and informed consent, which through the collaboration of the development of initiatives will address systemic racism and discrimination.

Program: Indigenous Policing

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Global Indicator Framework target 10.3 "Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard."

Results achieved

Public Safety Canada (PS) continues to work closely with Indigenous partners to advance federal United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA) objectives. The Department worked with key partners, such as the First Nations Chiefs of Police Association, the First Nations Police Governance Council, as well as provinces and territories, to build consensus on the potential scope of a federal legislation that would recognize First Nations police services as essential services. In Fall 2024, a shared vision of the legislation was outlined in proposed elements, which incorporated feedback received from First Nations as outlined in the final engagement report led by the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute.

In parallel, the Department is advancing reforms to the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP) to better support First Nations and Inuit police services, including ongoing work to modernize the terms and conditions reducing the administrative burden on recipients. Across these various initiatives, PS has worked closely with First Nations and Inuit partners to best align proposed legislative, policy and program reforms.

In addition, the Department actively contributes towards reconciliation via its involvement in negotiations with Indigenous groups. PS also supports the implementation of these agreements including through the Assessment of Modern Treaty Implications.

Finally, PS is also working with federal, provincial, and territorial partners to promote a fair and accessible justice system, including providing advisory support to Department of Justice on the implementation of the federal Indigenous Justice Strategy which was released in March 2024, and includes priority actions related to Indigenous policing.

Implement United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Advance legislation by co-developing federal legislation for First Nations police services.

With the passage of the UN Declaration Act, the Government of Canada must, in consultation and collaboration with Indigenous peoples, take all measures necessary to ensure that the laws of Canada are consistent with UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Public Safety Canada is committed to continuing advancing the First Nations police services legislation and building the necessary legislative framework through collaboration with portfolios colleagues, indigenous partners and Province and Territories (PT) counterparts.

Program: Indigenous Policing

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Global Indicator Framework target 10.3 "Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard."

Results achieved

In Fall 2024, Public Safety Canada revised the proposed elements which set out the policy intent of a federal legislation which would recognize First Nations police services as essential services based on Indigenous led-engagements that took place in February and March 2024. The main changes made following engagement included:

These elements also highlight that a preamble of a future legislation may note that the Government of Canada is committed to: "Taking necessary measures to ensure consistency with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as required by the UNDA".

Develop a Reconciliation Framework and Cultural Competency Tools for PS

This initiative will bring coherence and a global vision of the Departments ways to increase awareness on issues related to First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada, and their knowledge of the UN Declaration, MMIWG and work towards Reconciliation.

Program: Indigenous Policing

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Global Indicator Framework target 10.3 "Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard."

Results achieved

Public Safety Canada redirected resources to other critical priorities and thus this commitment has not been advanced in 2024 to 2025.

Goal 11: Improve access to affordable housing, clean air, transportation, parks, and green spaces, as well as cultural heritage in Canada

Initiatives advancing Canada's implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities

The following initiatives demonstrate how Public Safety Canada programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.

Planned initiatives

Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program (FHIMP)

In partnership with provincial and territorial governments, the Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program (FHIMP) aims to complete flood hazard maps of higher risk areas in Canada and make this flood hazard information accessible. These maps will inform decision-making in support of land use planning, flood mitigation, adaptation to a changing climate, resilience building, and protection of lives and properties.

Program: Emergency Prevention / Mitigation

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of "Canadians live in healthy, accessible, and sustainable cities and communities";

The Global Indicator Framework target 11.5 "By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations".

Results achieved

Achievement of the United Nations GIF target is supported by the following initiatives:

Natural Resources Canada leads the FHIMP, with support from Environment and Climate Change Canada and Public Safety Canada (PS). Under the FHIMP, PS is responsible for governance, policy and alignment with related initiatives across the federal government and Canada-wide flood hazard risk assessments.

In March 2025, PS closed a competitive bid process which procured a license to a Canada-wide flood hazard model from Fathom and Aon Impact Forecasting (FIF) with limited sharing capabilities. A Quality Control Process was conducted to better understand the uses and limitations of both the FIF Model and any derived products of it. This model helps inform flood resilience initiative led by PS, including the Federally Identified Flood Risk Areas (FIFRA) and the Flood Risk Awareness Portal, which is under development and is set to be launched in Fall 2025. The flood risk awareness portal, once launched, will allow Canadians to be aware of their flood risk and encourage them to take action to increase their own resilience to flooding once the database is available to the public.

In 2024 to 2025, the licensed model served to directly inform the development of the FIFRA, which provides flood hazard ratings for all of Canada, and the Community Risk Index, which will help visualize and communicate community-level flood risk, including exposure and vulnerability, for all of Canada. PS aims to provide linkages with the products created under the FHIMP where possible.

Better flood risk awareness will enable jurisdictions and Canadians to understand flood risk in their own areas and take adequate preparatory actions to limit financial loss, such as adequate insurance for flood risk, or mitigation measures.

Residential Flood Insurance

Following the completion of the work of the Task Force on Flood Insurance and Relocation (TFFIR), Public Safety Canada is working to advance a sustainable solution to rising residential flood costs. Building on the TFFIR's August 2022 report, the Government of Canada is working towards a functional, sustainable, and low-cost national flood insurance system.

Program: Emergency Prevention / Mitigation

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of "Canadians live in healthy, accessible, and sustainable cities and communities";

The Global Indicator Framework target 11.5 "By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations".

Results achieved

This Canadian Indicator Framework ambition ("Canadians live in healthy, accessible, and sustainable cities and communities") is measured by seven indicators (11.1 to 11.7). See https://sdgcif-data-canada-oddcic-donnee.github.io/11/

Each of the indicators measure specific aspects of healthy communities.

Budget 2023 first announced the federal government's intention to launch, in partnership with provinces and territories, a new approach to address gaps in natural disaster protection and help Canadians access affordable insurance. Since then, Public Safety Canada (PS) has been working closely with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the Department of Finance Canada, and the provinces and territories to develop and implement a low-cost flood insurance program, aimed at protecting households at high risk of flooding and without access to adequate insurance. This effort has included various engagements with provinces and territories, industry practitioners, and implicated federal government departments on the design of the program. Most of this collective work has occurred under the umbrella of the Task Force on Flood Insurance and Risk Reduction, which conducted meetings in 2024. Work to develop the national flood insurance program is ongoing. PS will continue to work closely with provinces, territories, and industry towards future implementation of the program.

Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA)

Following the completion of the DFAA Advisory Panel, which reviewed Canada's approach to post-disaster financing and reflected on how best to align these efforts with broader disaster mitigation and climate adaptation work, the Department is working to review the existing disaster recovery programs and ensure that an updated, and sustainable system continues to be available to provinces and territories for disaster recovery. The modernized DFAA will aim to reduce disaster risks through increased investments and incentives for mitigation and climate resilient recovery and help address inequities in recovery timelines and outcomes across the country. The review was based on internal research, a departmental Joint Audit and Evaluation of the DFAA, consultation with Provinces/territories, as well as external inputs and contributions.

Program: Emergency Response / Recovery

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of "Canadians live in healthy, accessible, and sustainable cities and communities";

The Global Indicator Framework target 11.5 "By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations".

Results achieved

This Canadian Indicator Framework ambition ("Canadians live in healthy, accessible, and sustainable cities and communities") is measured by seven indicators (11.1 to 11.7). See https://sdgcif-data-canada-oddcic-donnee.github.io/11/.

The new Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) were launched on April 1st, 2025. The modernized DFAA, once in place for an extended period, will make communities safer and more sustainable by better enabling jurisdictions to take measures to mitigate and prevent disasters, reducing exposure and vulnerability to risk.

Throughout 2024 to 2025, following the approval and distribution of the new DFAA program Guidelines, Public Safety Canada (PS) worked extensively with provinces and territories (PTs) to provide support and training to help them prepare for the transition to the new program. PS staff traveled to 12 of 13 PT jurisdictions to deliver multi-day training in person and hosted many virtual meetings to discuss aspects of the new program. The training sessions walked PTs through the modernized program, focusing on how to build their processes, types of eligible expenses, and considerations for their programs. Participants were asked to rate their knowledge before and after their training concerning the program, and participants on average noted a positive increase in their understanding of the program. PS received positive feedback from all PTs on the training content. PS expects to visit all jurisdictions to deliver training on the new program in the coming weeks.

Overall, the work undertaken in this year was instrumental in assuring the launch of the modernized DFAA program and ensuring a better understanding of disaster risk and strategic risk reduction and recovery across Canada by helping PTs work towards accessing more funds to help those most vulnerable and mitigate repeated losses.

Goal 12: Reduce waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles

Federal Sustainable Development Strategy context

Through its continued implementation of the Policy on Green Procurement, Public Safety Canada (PS) leverages its purchasing power to achieve economies of scale in the acquisition of environmentally preferable goods and services by requiring its suppliers to commit to environmental objectives thereby reducing the cost for government and strengthening greener markets and industries. Through the departmental actions, under the implementation strategy to Strengthen Green Procurement Criteria, identified below, Public Safety Canada continues to place an emphasis on requiring staff with delegated procurement authorities as well as materiel management specialists to complete the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course prior to exercising their procurement authorities. This helps to promote the inclusion of environmental considerations into the entire life cycle of acquired assets and services including planning, acquisition, use/maintenance and disposal. Each year, Public Safety Canada spends approximately $19 million on services, accounting for more than 80% of all procurements conducted by the department. To ensure that these commonly acquired commodities leverage green procurement principles to the fullest extent, Public Safety Canada has developed specific departmental green procurement clauses for service contracts, with a special emphasis on the elimination or the reduction (as applicable) of printed materials on the part of its suppliers. With all deliverables requested to be reviewed, developed and delivered electronically, Public Safety Canada continues to support the reduction of unnecessary printing. The Procurement team has transitioned to a fully-digital information model and no longer uses any paper filing. Additionally, the Department has been, and will continue to be, committed to transforming our light-duty fleet. Currently, 75% of the Department's fleet is made up of hybrid vehicles, and moving forward, Public Safety Canada has committed to purchasing 100% of new vehicles as either zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) or Hybrids. Being able to move towards ZEVs is contingent on the Department's ability to have ZEV charging stations installed in the location in which the fleet are housed, as it does not currently have any. As Public Safety Canada would like to move towards ZEVs, where possible, the Department is pursuing, with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), the installation of ZEV charging stations to be able to support the purchase of ZEVs.

Target theme: Federal Leadership on Responsible Consumption

Target: The Government of Canada's procurement of goods and services will be net-zero emissions by 2050, to aid the transition to a net-zero, circular economy (All Ministers)

Implementation strategy

Transform the federal light-duty fleet

Departmental action

Each year, new light-duty fleet vehicles purchases will be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) or hybrids.

Program: Internal Services (Acquisitions)

Performance indicator, starting point, and target

Performance indicator: Percentage of annual new vehicle purchases that are ZEV or hybrid

Starting point: 75% in 2022 to 2023

Target: 100% of new vehicle purchases each year.

How the departmental action contributes to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and Sustainable Development Goals

Purchasing zero emission vehicles reduces greenhouse gas emissions from conventional fleet operations. This enhances sustainable consumption.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results achieved

Indicator result: 75%

Notes: Public Safety Canada acquired 1 new vehicle in 2024 to 2025, but it is not a hybrid or electric model for several reasons. Firstly, there are constraints related to availability and cost. Secondly, the local infrastructure does not support the charging of such vehicles. Finally, the need was urgent due to the intended use of the vehicle. Departmental vehicles in the National Capital Region are hybrid cars, which reduces their environmental footprint.

This approach supports the Canadian Indicators Framework (CIF) ambition that Canadians consume in a sustainable manner and aligns with the GIF target to implement sustainable consumption and production programs. By including green procurement clauses in solicitations and contracts, we ensure that suppliers reduce the environmental impact of the goods and services they deliver and their supply chains.

Implementation strategy

Strengthen green procurement criteria

Departmental action

Ensure, on an going basis, that all new procurement specialists, materiel management specialists and acquisition card holders are trained in green procurement (such as, the Canada School of Public Service course on green procurement, or equivalent) within one year.

Program: Internal Services (Acquisitions)

Performance indicator, starting point, and target

Performance indicator: Percentage of procurement specialists, materiel management specialists and acquisition card holders trained in green procurement within one year of being hired.

Starting point: In 2022 to 2023, 100% of procurement specialists, materiel management specialists and acquisition card holders are trained in green procurement

Target: 100% of new procurement specialists, materiel management specialists and acquisition card holders will receive training with one year.

How the departmental action contributes to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and Sustainable Development Goals

Green procurement incorporates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and is expected to motivate suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of the goods and services they deliver, and their supply chains.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results achieved

Indicator result: 100%

Notes: All procurement officers, materiel management specialist and acquisition card holders have taken the Green Procurement Course (COR405).  The new course on reducing environmental impact in purchasing goods and services is no longer being offered. Should other courses offered by the CSPS be available on green procurement, the contracting and procurement unit will register.  

The Contracting Officers also must ensure to include green procurement clauses and considerations to their procurements. This is documented through their procurement file checklists. By including these clauses into solicitations and contracts it helps to ensure that suppliers reduce the environmental impact of the goods and services they deliver and their supply chains.

Implementation strategy

Strengthen green procurement criteria

Departmental action

Incorporate environmental considerations into the procurement of goods and services that encourages contractors to refrain from printing all documents required under the contract.

Program: Internal Services (Acquisition)

Performance indicator, starting point, and target

Performance indicator: Percentage of procurements that incorporate green procurement clauses.

Starting point: 90%

Target: 100% in 2024-25

How the departmental action contributes to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and Sustainable Development Goals

Green procurement incorporates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and is expected to motivate suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of the goods and services they deliver, and their supply chains

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results achieved

Indicator result: 100%

Notes: All of Public Safety Canada (PS)'s solicitations and contracts include green procurement clauses, such as to provide and transmit draft and final deliverables in electronic format, print on minimum recycled content of 30% and/or as originating from a sustainably managed forest, print double sided in black and white format and recycle (shred) unneeded printed documents in accordance with security requirements of the contract. PS also only accepts invoices electronically including proposals in response to solicitations.

All competitive procurement files use e-bidding and PS only accepts proposals via email.

These measures reduce environmental impact, promote digital efficiency, and encourage contractors to adopt sustainable practices. As a result, PS directly supports the CIF Ambition of sustainable consumption, contributes to CIF Indicator 12.2.1 by influencing business environmental practices, and aligns with GIF Target 12.7 by embedding sustainability into public procurement in accordance with national priorities.

Goal 13: Take action on climate change and its impacts

Federal Sustainable Development Strategy context

The effects of human-caused climate change are felt across Canada. Canadians are experiencing more extreme temperatures and precipitation as well as more frequent and severe wildfires, heatwaves, droughts, and flooding. Effective and urgent action on climate change requires transitioning to a net-zero economy by reducing greenhouse gas and short-lived climate pollutant emissions while continuing to grow prosperity, and by realizing opportunities in emerging markets such as renewable energy and clean technology. At the same time, Canada needs to adapt to the changing climate by building resilience and reducing vulnerability to impacts in communities, regions, ecosystems, and economic sectors.

Additionally Public Safety Canada's ongoing development of the National Risk Profile (NRP) will serve to provide the necessary evidence base needed to strengthen the disaster awareness, preparation, and response capabilities of Canadians and governmental and non-governmental organizations. The Department recognizes that disasters disproportionately impact vulnerable populations and communities. The Department will continue to work with civil society and international partners to uphold to the principles of the Sendai Framework to reduce disaster risks, adapt to climate change and foster resilience in a manner that reduces inequities towards most vulnerable populations, including, but not limited to women, Indigenous People, and minority communities.

PS has launched a Sustainable Development (Green) Committee in 2023 which will work to help realize additional departmental actions towards the implementation strategy of implementing the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government's overall operations. Currently PS is working towards improving the percentages of Follow-me-printing, which will help to reduce paper consumption through prevention of accidental print requests. Over the span of the 2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy reporting cycles, PS will, through the contributions of the Sustainable Development (Green) Committee and with support from the Department, increase the breadth of its contributions and departmental actions towards greening government. PS is currently in discussions in relation to actions concerning: the amount of standard equipment provided to employees, increasing video-conferencing availability, additional ways to reduce paper usage, and educational pieces.

Target theme: Federal Leadership on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions and Climate Resilience

Target: The Government of Canada will transition to net-zero carbon operations for facilities and conventional fleets by 2050 (All Ministers)

Implementation strategy

Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government's overall operations

Departmental action

Lead by example as an early adopter of clean technology innovations: reduce paper consumption through follow-me printing across PS.

Program: Internal Services (Acquisitions)

Performance indicator, starting point, and target

Performance indicator: Percentage of printers with Follow-me-printing installed

Starting point: 67% of printers currently have Follow-me-printing installed

Target: 95% of printers have Follow-me-printing installed

How the departmental action contributes to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and Sustainable Development Goals

Reduce paper consumption which will reduce the need to purchase paper, thus reducing green-house gas emissions produced during manufacturing and transportation of paper

Implementation of follow-me printing across PS.

This system is used to prevent the printing of documents immediately upon sending a print job to the printer. In doing so, a document can only be printed once the requester has swiped their access card. This reduces the automatic printing of documents that are accidently sent to the printer before the job is cancelled.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Canadian Indicator Framework ambition/target: "Canadians reduce their greenhouse gas emissions" / 13.1 "By 2030, reduce Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45%, relative to 2005 emission levels. By 2050, achieve economy-wide net-zero greenhouse gas emissions"

Results achieved

Indicator result: 67%

Notes: Procurement of specialized access printer cards (which ensures that jobs will not be printed until the employee swipes their card at the printer) and establishment of necessary agreements required for regional distribution remained pending and are still currently underway. Once resolved, regional onboarding can begin.

In parallel, we are collaborating with three Ministers' offices in Ottawa to implement the same technology for their printers, ensuring consistent print management and security across all locations.

Implementation strategy

Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government's overall operations

Departmental action

Dispose of waste in an environmentally sound and secure manner, where possible.

Program: Internal Services (Management and Oversight)

Performance indicator, starting point, and target

Performance indicator: Percentage of waste disposed of in an environmentally secure manner, where possible

Starting point: 100%

Target: 100%

How the departmental action contributes to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Aagenda National Strategy and Sustainable Development Goals

Disposal of waste such as physical assets, including end-of-life electronics, furniture, and office supplies, in an environmentally sound manner which will reduce their presence in landfills where it can produce higher GHGs.

PS utilizes different environmentally and socially secure disposal methods for end-of-life assets, such as computers for schools, the Workplace Diversion Program, GCSurplus, or contracts which include environmental disposal criteria. By utilizing both environmentally and socially secure disposal methods, PS contributes towards Greening Government, while also considering socio-economic aspects within its disposals. Through its utilization of the Workplace Diversion Program, lead by PSPC, PS is supporting the environmentally secure disposal method of GCSurplus, while also supporting the creation of employment for people with disabilities.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results achieved

Indicator result: 100%

Notes: The use of specialized printer cards ensured that no documents were printed until a PS employee was present to pick up the completed job. As such, all waste disposal under the direct control of PS was managed in an environmentally sound and secure manner as print jobs were never left unattended requiring needless paper disposal.

Implementation strategies supporting the goal

This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal "Take action on climate change and its impacts" but not a specific Federal Sustainable Development Strategy target.

Implementation strategy

Collaborate on emergency management and disaster risk reduction

Departmental action

The National Risk Profile (NRP)

Program: Emergency Preparedness

Performance indicator, starting point, and target

Performance indicator: Percentage of Canadians who are aware of risks facing their household

Starting point: N/A; new program with a date to achieve target in 2024

Target: ≥ 60% (target date will be set in 2024)

How the departmental action contributes to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 National Strategy and Sustainable Development Goals

Public Safety Canada to continue its work on the National Risk Profile (NRP), which provides the foundational evidence base needed to strengthen individual and institutional disaster risk awareness, preparation, and response capabilities across the country. The first National Risk Profile report was released in May 2023 and is Canada's first, strategic, disaster risk assessment. It provides a national picture of disaster risks facing Canada, and the existing measures and resources in our emergency management systems to address them.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results achieved

Indicator result: 92%

Notes: The National Risk Profile (NRP) was a five-year initiative which sunset in 2024. Public Safety Canada (PS) continues to consider options for building on the tools and intelligence created through the NRP, including through potential future assessments. Completed assessments and methodologies have been made available to the public to inform decision making by jurisdictions, as well as better inform individual Canadians about the level of risk in their communities.

Throughout 2024 to 2025, PS continued to advance knowledge and understanding of disaster risk by completing a second round of risk and capability assessments through the NRP, including an assessment of the impacts of heat events, hurricanes, and geomagnetic storms, a separate assessment of the disproportionate impacts of disasters on distinct vulnerable populations, and a hazard-agnostic assessment of each capability in the Canadian Core Capabilities List.

Assessments included data collection from whole-of-society subject matter experts across Canada via surveys and discussions. PS continues to review the results of the risk and capability assessment, with publication intended for the near future. The Department continues to consider options for building on the tools and intelligence created through the NRP, including through potential future assessments.

Goal 16: Promote a fair and accessible justice system, enforce environmental laws, and manage impacts

Initiatives advancing Canada's implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The following initiatives demonstrate how Public Safety Canada programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Planned initiatives

Participation in the Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI)

The CRI is a U.S.–led initiative that provides an informal government-to-government mechanism to improve international cooperation to counter ransomware. Established in late 2021, membership currently consists of over 30 countries, including Canada. Initial work, which was conducted throughout 2021 to 2022, focused on Resilience, Disruption, Countering Illicit Finance, Diplomacy, and Public-Private Partnerships. The Government of Canada (GC) participated as a member of each of the working groups dedicated to these themes. At the 2022 Summit, principals chose to focus their future work into three pillars:

  1. Diplomacy and Capacity Building;
  2. an International Counter Ransomware Task Force (ICRTF); and
  3. Policy.

Cybercrime continues to be the cyber threat activity most likely to affect Canadians and Canadian organizations. Due to its impact on an organization's ability to function, ransomware is almost certainly the most disruptive form of cybercrime facing Canadians. The National Cyber Security Directorate's participation and active engagement in the United States (U.S.)-led Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI) will combat organized cybercrime, promote, state resilience and the rule of law, and improve international accountability for perpetrators. The CRI is an ongoing annual summit which brings together a growing roster of like-minded states to discuss the ransomware threat and develop response mechanisms through taskforces, toolkits, and political commitments. In the most recent summit held in Washington DC in November 2022, members committed to promote international cooperation, share intelligence and improve criminal accountability for transnational cyber criminals, through enhanced global governance, complimentary legislation, and international law enforcement efforts. Public Safety is Canada's Principal as well as the domestic secretarial lead and coordination body for Canada's participation in the CRI. The GC continues to work to protect Canadians from malicious cyber actors and the physical, economic, operational, and reputational damage of ransomware by engaging in a variety of domestic and international fora.

Program: Cyber Security

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of "Canadians are safe and secure, in person and online": indicators 16.2.1 "Crime Severity Index", 16.3.1 "Incidence of Selected Types of Crime", and 16.4.1 "Incidence of Cyber Crime"

Results achieved

In early 2024, Public Safety Canada (PS), on behalf of the Government of Canada, became chair of the Private Sector Engagement Working Group (PSEWG). By accepting this role, Canada has agreed to deliver on two initiatives: establish a Public-Private Sector Advisory Panel that could be used by all CRI members, and develop a Workplan. The Advisory Panel was launched at the 2024 Counter-Ransomware Initiative (CRI) Summit with seven private sector partners: Arctic Wolf (co-chair), BlackBerry (co-chair), Cyber CX, Ensign InfoSecurity, Institute for Security and Technology, Microsoft, and Royal United Services Institute. Ahead of the 2025 CRI Summit in October, the Advisory Panel will be executing three projects (Table-Top Exercise, Incidence Response Mechanism, Public-Private Collaboration of Cyber Security Products), in collaboration with CRI members.

The Advisory Panel hopes to facilitate meaningful engagement and collaboration between the public and private sector, while continuing to build public-private sector engagement within the CRI and maintain relationships with our private partners. As society becomes more connected to the Internet and reliant on digital infrastructure, malicious cyber actors are provided with a greater number of vectors that they can exploit to the detriment of Canada's national security, economic prosperity, and personal safety. Collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential to effectively prevent, respond to, and recover from ransomware attacks, as cyber threat actors are evolving more rapidly than government agencies can keep pace with.

During the 2024 CRI Summit, PS endorsed three documents: the International Counter Ransomware Initiative 2024 Joint Statement, CRI Guidance for Organizations During Ransomware Incidents, and the Member's Statement on Holding Ransomware Actors to Account. The public statements demonstrated Canada's and the CRI's continued commitment to building collective resilience to ransomware, disrupting the ransomware ecosystem and designing policy approaches to combat ransomware. As a secretariate, PS streamlined the Canadian response on the joint statements to ensure that CRI members share the same objective to strengthen the CRI.

PS continues to work with domestic and international partners to protect Canadians from malicious cyber actors and the physical, economic, operational, and reputational damage of ransomware by engaging in a variety of domestic and international fora.

Modernize Law enforcement and policing, including Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

Consistent with the Minister of Public Safety's mandate commitment, Public Safety Canada, with the RCMP, is leading an assessment of contract policing through engagement with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous partners and other stakeholders with a view to better understand the needs of partners and stakeholders in delivering more effective, sustainable, and responsive front-line policing services where the RCMP is the police of jurisdiction. Additionally, Public Safety Canada, as overall authority for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) contract policing program, engages and consults with federal and inter-governmental partners and other stakeholders on matters that may affect the governance, costs and quality or capacity of RCMP contract policing services. Under this program, the RCMP is contracted to provide front-line policing services to assist all provinces and territories (except Ontario and Quebec), and 155 municipalities across Canada. These engagements will help the federal government better understand how the program is currently functioning and, potentially, could be improved, and inform federal approaches to renewal of the contracts in 2032 when they expire. The important findings of the Mass Casualty Commission Final Report will also help inform the future delivery of contract policing services. This initiative is expected to ultimately contribute to more effective, sustainable and responsive policing services and towards the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy goal of promoting a fair and accessible justice system.

Program: Law Enforcement and Policing

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Global Indicator Framework targets 16.3 "Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all" and 16.6 "Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels."

Results achieved

The Contract Policing Assessment was completed in May 2024 with the publication of a "What We Heard" report that is available on Public Safety Canada (PS)'s website. PS continued to engage with contract jurisdictions, federal and intergovernmental partners on contract policing service delivery and the way forward beyond the expiry of the current Police Service Agreements in 2032. This engagement included dedicated Deputy Minister discussions, regular PS bilateral engagements with Provinces and Territories (PTs) and the ongoing work of the Contract Management Committee, a forum through which PS, PTs, Municipal representatives and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) share information, consult, collaborate and resolve issues related to contract policing and the Police Service Agreements. The insights gathered through the "What We Heard" report and ongoing discussions with contract policing partners contribute to Canada's commitments to strengthen institutional accountability (SDG 16.6) and improve equitable access to justice services across RCMP-police jurisdictions (SDG 16.3), particularly in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.

National Crime Prevention Strategy

The National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) contributes to the advancement of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by funding interventions that address the root causes and factors that put individuals at risk of offending. Successful and well-designed interventions have a positive influence on behaviours and reduce not only crime and victimization but also the social and economic costs that result from criminal activities. The NCPS consists of four funding programs: the Crime Prevention Action Fund, the Youth Gang Prevention Fund, the Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund, and the Security Infrastructure Program.

Public Safety Canada's National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) is an integral part of the Government of Canada's continued efforts to tackle crime and contributing towards the global target of "Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere". The NCPS contributes to the advancement of SDG 16 by funding interventions that address the root causes and factors that put individuals at risk of offending. Public Safety Canada has made improvements to the Security Infrastructure Program to make it more responsive to the needs of the communities it serves, and to provide funding as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Program: Crime Prevention

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Global Indicator Framework targets 16.a "Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime" and 16.1 "Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere."

Results achieved

The National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) supports Sustainable Development Goal 16, target 16.1 by contributing to the reduction of all forms of violence in Canada through its funding of crime prevention interventions. Public Safety Canada (PS) launched a call for applications under the NCPS at the end of 2024. This call was for the following programs: the Crime Prevention Action Fund, the Youth Gang Prevention Fund and the Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund. These programs support direct intervention projects and research to address the harmful factors that lead youth to get involved in violent criminal activities.

In addition, successful projects needed to specifically target one of the following at risk populations: Indigenous youth, racialized youth, youth at risk of committing violence, or youth who have had repeat contacts with the criminal justice system. An example of an intervention funded through the Crime Prevention Action Fund is a youth empowerment program implemented in London, Ontario. The purpose of the program was to develop and deliver an eight-session violence prevention curriculum tailored to youth. The program is being delivered through one-on-one support or in a small group setting. By supporting the implementation of community-based interventions that address the complex causes and factors that put individuals at risk of offending, the NCPS contributes to enhancing the resilience of Canadian communities against violence.

Public Safety Canada launched the new Canada Community Security Program (CCSP) in 2024, which replaces and enhances the former Security Infrastructure Program. The CCSP provides financial assistance to community organizations to enhance the security of their community gathering spaces that serve communities at risk of being targeted by hate-motivated crime. Program changes were implemented to enhance the responsiveness of the CCSP, based on feedback from organizations and partners. As a result of these enhancements, communities are now able to apply for funding under the CCSP at any time throughout the year, allowing for the evolving needs of communities to be met in a timely manner, especially during heightened risk. In addition, a broader range of organizations can now access CCSP funding to strengthen the security of their community gathering spaces with reduced financial burden. Public Safety Canada continues to work with communities in the administration of funds under the CCSP to protect vulnerable groups from hate-motivated violence, further contributing to the global target of significantly reducing "all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere".

An example of a community gathering space funded through the CCSP is a Hasidic synagogue located in Montreal. This synagogue serves the local Jewish community by offering religious services, education, and charitable activities. Through the CCSP, this synagogue received funding to purchase and install security infrastructure and provide training on how to use the new security equipment. By supporting communities in enhancing their security infrastructure, a reduction in hate-motivated crime is anticipated, thereby improving overall community safety.

In support of SDG target 16.a, the Department continued to strengthen relevant national institutions for building capacity at all levels of government in 2024 to 2025 by co-chairing the Federal, Provincial, Territorial (FPT) Working Group on Crime Prevention. The Working Group continued to focus on promoting Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) initiatives throughout 2024 to 2025. A CSWB approach recognizes the complex reasons why people commit crimes and brings together a range of partners in different sectors to address crime. Over the past year, the Department worked with provincial and territorial partners to develop a common definition of CSWB, as well as a compendium of best practices implemented across the country. Through these initiatives, the FPT Working Group on Crime Prevention has helped strengthen regional capacity to prevent violence, and promoted a more coordinated approach to public safety.

Strengthen transparency and accountability of Canada's law enforcement agencies to increase public trust in these institutions

Bill C-20 responds to the Minister of Public Safety's mandate commitment to "introduce legislation to create a review body for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), including defined timelines for responding to complaints and recommendations." The Public Complaints and Review Commission will be mandated with reviewing and investigating complaints concerning the conduct and level of service for the RCMP and the CBSA. Bill C-20, an Act establishing the Public Complaints and Review Commission and amending certain Acts and statutory instruments, is currently at consideration in committee in the House of Commons. It intends to replace the current Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) for the RCMP with a new Public Review and Complaints Commission (PCRC) that reviews and investigates complaints concerning the conduct and level of service for the RCMP and the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA). This initiative supports Federal Sustainable Development Strategy Goal 16 by delivering a robust complaints process which holds the RCMP and CBSA accountable for its activities and the conduct of its members that is impartial, independent, fair, equitable, and credible in addressing complaints is aimed at building effective, accountable, and inclusive law enforcement and policing services.

Program: Law Enforcement and Policing

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of "Canadians are supported by effective, accountable, and transparent institutions";

The Global Indicator Framework target 16.6 "Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels".

Results achieved

Bill C-20, the Public Complaints and Review Commission Act (PCRC Act) obtained Royal Assent on October 31, 2024. This marks an important milestone, as it establishes the first ever independent review body for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and creates an enhanced review mechanism for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Once implemented, the PCRC will be able to review public and third-party complaints regarding the conduct and level of service of RCMP and CBSA officers. Establishing the PCRC closes a longstanding accountability gap: CBSA conduct and service has not been subject to external review since it was established. It will also respond to goal 16 by promoting accountable and inclusive institutions, where everyone feels confident in the agencies that serve them, and feel free of fear of repercussion should they need to make a complaint.

Most recently, Public Safety Canada is advancing policy and regulatory efforts to establish the new agency such as leading a Treasury Board Submission and developing regulations, with a Plan for the PCRC to be operational by Fall 2026.

Advance legislation by co-developing federal legislation for First Nations police services

First Nations police services have faced significant challenges and financial obstacles in being able to deliver adequate and culturally appropriate policing services in part due to the limitations of the First Nation Indigenous Policing Program (FNIPP). As a result, First Nations have long called for reform to First Nations police services and have advocated for federal legislation that recognizes First Nations policing as an essential service. These calls for reform were heightened with the release of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, which included Call for Justice 5.4 to reform the delivery of policing services in Indigenous communities. Public Safety is committed to continuing advancing the First Nations police services legislation and building the necessary legislative framework through collaboration with portfolios colleagues, indigenous partners and PT counterparts.

Program: Indigenous Policing

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of "Canadians have equal access to justice";

The Global Indicator Framework target 16.3 "Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all and to justice for all".

Results achieved

Public Safety Canada (PS) worked with key partners, such as the First Nations Chiefs of Police Association, the First Nations Police Governance Council, as well as provinces and territories, to build consensus on the potential scope of a federal legislation that would recognize First Nations police services as essential services. In Fall 2024, a shared vision of the legislation was outlined in proposed elements, which incorporated feedback received from First Nations as outlined in the final engagement report led by the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute. The main changes made following engagement included:

While the Department has faced challenges reaching consensus on the scope of an envisioned federal legislation, active measures are being taken on program reform to better support policing in First Nations and Inuit communities, including making progress on the recommendations made by the recent Auditor General of Canada's report on the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program, in collaboration with Indigenous partners, policing experts, and provinces and territories.

Providing Funding to Support the ATIP Community Development Office

PS is committed to supporting transparent and accountable institutions, through upholding the Department's obligations under the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. The Department is actively engaged in a range of initiatives to enhance the accountability and transparency of federal institutions and to protect the privacy of individuals. The Department actively contributed to the government-wide Access to Information (ATI) Review and has contributed to many of the initiatives that have flowed from the Review. PS provides funding to support the ATIP Community Development Office, an initiative led by Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat to support Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) communities in recruitment, retention and professional development.

PS provides funding ($19,000 annually over 5 years until 2026 to 2027) to support the ATIP Community Development Office (APCDO). The APDCO is an organization led by TBS which aims to enhance the capacity of ATIP offices to provide Canadians with access to government information in a timely manner, by attracting new talent to these offices and by providing ATIP professionals with centralized training and professional development programs.

Program: Internal service (Management and Oversight)

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Global Indicator Framework target 16.10 "Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements."

Results achieved

In 2024 to 2025, Public Safety Canada (PS) contributed $19,000 to the Treasury Board Secretariat to support the activities of the ATIP Community Development Office (APCDO). Activities undertaken by the APCDO during the year include coordinating 1 external recruitment process and opening 6 internal recruitment inventories, as a means to increase the number of ATIP professionals across government departments; organizing over 20 information sessions for ATIP professionals, as a means to increase knowledge and capacity within the community; and creating guidance tools, such as an ATIP learning catalog. These activities contributed to enhancing the capacity of ATIP offices to provide Canadians with access to government information in a timely manner by attracting new talent to ATIP offices and providing ATIP professionals with centralized training and professional development programs.

During the year, PS ATIP staff attended numerous events organized by the APCDO, including sessions on the application of Cabinet confidence exclusions; exemptions pertaining to third parties and solicitor-client privilege; and the use of federal court jurisprudence in ATIP case processing. As these exemptions and exclusions are frequently used by PS ATIP practitioners when processing requests, the sessions are actively helping to ensure that PS ATIP analysts have the tools they need to support the department in meeting its obligations under the federal ATIP legislation. In addition, the sessions are also helping to reduce the training burden for PS ATIP team leads, in that having access to a centralized source of training for new ATIP staff has allowed PS team leads more time to focus on reviewing ATIP files. Finally, by providing support to the APCDO, PS is also contributing to building capacity across the public service ATIP community, as a means to ensure public access to information in accordance with legislative provisions.

Pilot project to declassify certain national security records

Public Safety Canada has also taken leadership, in collaboration with the national and security intelligence community, TBS, and Library and Archives Canada, towards developing a declassification framework to support the proactive declassification of government information to support transparent and accountable institutions. The pilot project aims to declassify certain historical national security records. The project will serve as a first step in determining how a largescale review of classified records might be undertaken.

Program: National Security Leadership

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Global Indicator Framework target 16.10 "Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements."

Results achieved

Public Safety Canada, in collaboration with the National Security and Intelligence Community, completed a pilot project through which the draft declassification framework was developed and evaluated, gaining valuable insight into the considerations around such a project. As announced on June 20, 2025, Treasury Board Secretariat is now leading a process to review the Access to Information Act, identifying the declassification and disclosure of historical records as a priority area.

Community Resilience Fund (CRF)

The CRF provides financial support to organizations working to improve Canada's understanding and capacity to prevent and counter violent extremism. Eligible CRF activities include research, programming, evaluation, and networking (including network and coalition building). Through the CRF, the Department provides $7 million in annual funding to organizations working to improve Canada's understanding and capacity to prevent and counter radicalization to violence in both on- and offline spaces.

Program: Crime Prevention

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of "Canadians are supported by effective, accountable, and transparent institutions";

The Global Indicator Framework target 16.a "Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime."

Results achieved

Public Safety Canada invested a total of $18.4 million to support efforts to prevent and counter radicalization to violence via research and interventions projects through the Community Resilience Fund, allowing for the establishment of 7 new projects. This amount included a one-time addition to the CRF of $8 million of new, immediate funding to combat hate, including combatting antisemitism as announced by the Minister at the National Forum on Countering Antisemitism in March 2025.

One example of a new project supported by this funding, and launched in 2024 to 2025, has been the creation of a new national, multi-university partnership called the Canadian Network for Research on Security, Extremism and Society (CANSES), to foster communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing between researchers and practitioners, law enforcement and national security, and government policy- and decision-makers from across Canada, as well as with international counterparts. For example, in March 2025 CANSES hosted a symposium on 'Corrections and Countering Violent Extremism,' with civil society, academic, and government stakeholders in Ottawa which has already led to new efforts to improve communication and collaboration between corrections and countering radicalization to violence professionals. The CANSES initiative represents broad knowledge-sharing and evidence-building to improve the field of countering radicalization to violence in Canada at all levels, including through the collection of longitudinal data from frontline programs to develop metrics of success in prevention.

Multi-stakeholder engagement and knowledge sharing efforts

Public Safety's Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence (Canada Centre) was created in 2017 to lead Canada's National Strategy on Countering Radicalization to Violence (CRV), with a focus on the prevention of extreme forms of grievance-based violence. As a part of its capacity-building efforts, the Canada Centre organizes events bringing together diverse stakeholders (multi-stakeholder engagement and knowledge-sharing sessions, such as workshops linked to ongoing projects, as well as events co-organized with international partners). The Canada Centre also works on policy development in collaboration with other government departments, industry, civil society, and academia to address violent extremist content online. This includes leading Canada's engagement in multilateral fora such as: the Christchurch Call to Eliminate Terrorist and Violent Extremist Content Online (Christchurch Call to Action) – a series of voluntary commitments by governments and digital industry to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online; the Global Internet Forum on Counter Terrorism (GIFCT), where Canada is one of seven governments on the GIFCT Independent Advisory Committee; and in the G7 and Five Eyes alliance.

Program: Crime Prevention

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of "Canadians are supported by effective, accountable, and transparent institutions";

The Global Indicator Framework target 16.a "Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime."

Results achieved

As part of its core work to build capacity to prevent extreme forms of grievance-based violence, in May 2024 Public Safety Canada (PS)'s Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence (Canada Centre) hosted its fifth international 'Megaweek' conference on countering radicalization to violence in Montréal. Close to 450 participants from 16 countries and across Canada attended the week-long series of events designed to support knowledge exchange, provide training, showcase new methods and resources for analysis and prevention of violent extremism, and host multiple consultations to help improve policy, practice and research.

In this context, during the year, the Canada Centre focused on building capacity and networks to address priority needs and gaps identified at Megaweek, such as to expand focus on youth needs, enhance upstream multi-agency collaboration at earlier signs of warning, and continue to prioritize psychosocial intervention programming with individuals at-risk/involved in violent extremism.

In addition to investments such as in the CANSES network mentioned above, the Canada Centre also expanded stakeholder outreach through the creation of a dedicated Engagement Team, to expand efforts to identify and reach stakeholders in underserved sectors and parts of Canada. For example, in February 2025, the Canada Centre coordinated a capacity building workshop in Halifax for over 30 youth-serving organizations in Atlantic Canada, while also. expanding outreach across sectors including with all orders of government, professional associations, local stakeholders, front-line practitioners, networks and working groups, civil society organizations, law enforcement, researchers, and through international advocacy and leadership, resulting in knowledge sharing and multi-sectoral collaboration.

Internationally, PS increased Canada's commitments to the Christchurch Call to Eliminate Terrorist & Violent Extremist Content Online. This included Canada's participation on the Independent Advisory Committee of the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism. The Canada Centre also launched a new interdepartmental Working Group to track fulfillment of the Christchurch Call commitments and to facilitate collaboration among federal departments and agencies working at the intersection of public safety and tech.

The Firearms Buyback Program (FBP)

In response to the prohibition of roughly 2,000 makes and models of assault-style firearms (ASFs) in May 2020, the FBP aims to safely remove ASFs from circulation by offering fair compensation to firearms owners who turn-in their firearms for destruction or deactivation. The intent of the ASF Program is to support a "Safe and Resilient Canada" by removing ASFs from circulation and decreasing the risk of firearms-related violent crime.

Program: Law Enforcement and Policing

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of "Canadians are safe and secure, in person and online";

The Global Indicator Framework targets 16.1: "Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere" and 16.4: "By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime."

Results achieved

Given the growing concern for public safety, the increasing public demand for measures to address gun violence and mass shootings and, in particular, the concern resulting from the inherent deadliness of assault-style firearms (ASFs) that are not suitable for civilian use, the Governor in Council prohibited approximately 2,500 makes and models of assault-style firearms (ASFs) in May 2020, December 2024, and March 2025.

The Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program (ASFCP) (known at the Firearms Buyback Program at the time of preparation of this commitment) for businesses has already launched, with claims closing for firearms prohibited in May 2020 on April 30, 2025. As of the closing date, businesses claimed over 12,000 firearms and over 14,000 parts and components, with over $22 million paid and to be paid in compensation.

Preparation for extending the compensation program to individual firearms owners is still under way, as the Government builds on the success of the work done with firearm businesses. In 2025 to 2026, additional detail on results achieved for the ASFCP will be available.

Financial Crime Coordination Centre (FC3) and the Canada Financial Crimes Agency

The Financial Crime Coordination Centre (FC3) is a pilot program introduced by the Canadian government in 2019 to bring together experts from across intelligence and law enforcement agencies to identify and address significant financial crime threats. The Financial Crime Coordination Centre within Public Safety Canada has been supporting the Minister of Public Safety's mandate to bring forward options for the establishment of the Canada Financial Crimes Agency (CFCA), which is intended to be Canada's lead enforcement agency in the financial crime space. Current work focusses on strengthening coordination among operational partners, increasing support to counter money laundering and financial crimes in Canada and the development of options to establish a new Canada Financial Crimes Agency, whose purpose will be to investigate these highly complex crimes. In particular, the agency's objectives will include increasing money laundering charges, prosecutions and convictions, and asset forfeiture results in Canada FC3 contributes to Federal Sustainable Development Strategy Goal 16 by supporting the anti-money laundering (AML) efforts of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

Program: Serious and Organized Crime

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of "Canadians are safe and secure, in person and online"

The Global Indicator Framework target 16.4 "By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime."

Results achieved

Public Safety Canada (PS) supported the Department of Finance Canada's leadership role for the Canada Financial Crimes Agency proposal via the Financial Crime Coordination Centre (FC3), including sharing information on law enforcement considerations and its experience on the file.

The Department completed a Policy Brief via the FC3 examining criminal asset recovery in Canada to identify legal, policy and operational challenges, as well as proposed options for Regime consideration moving forward, conducting research and outreach as part of a review of operational challenges and gaps within the Canadian financial crime landscape. The Policy Brief identified a number of policy options to strengthen and increase the recovery and return of stolen assets.

PS also hosted the 2025 Spin Cycle conference via the FC3, building a greater common understanding of the latest financial crime threats and tactics among the 1,650 registrants from public sector anti-money laundering and prosecutorial branches. FC3 also supported inter-agency collaboration, networking and training by providing additional information and resources on its online Knowledge Hub Portal. The FC3 Spin Cycle conference helped reduce illicit financial flows, strengthen asset recovery, and combat organized crime by enhancing cross-sector understanding of emerging threats, promoting best practices, and fostering collaboration among anti-money laundering and prosecutorial professionals.

The Department supported the Department of Finance Canada, via the FC3, in preparing for the upcoming evaluation of Canada by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). This work included: coordinating engagements and consultations with Federal/Provincial/Territorial and law enforcement partners under committees co-chaired by PS and the Department of Justice Canada; sharing input towards Canada's effectiveness and technical compliance submissions to the FATF as part of the mutual evaluation process; and, conducting analysis to support updating the National Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risks, a foundational guiding document for Canada's evaluation. Through these efforts, FC3 contributed to a comprehensive and well-prepared evaluation process, aligned with FATF standards, and to strengthening Canada's approach to combatting financial crime and money laundering.

Working jointly with the Department of Finance Canada, PS via the FC3, is working to support the Integrated Money Laundering Intelligence Partnership initiated by Canada's Border Plan, which will, once fully operationalized, support the permissible sharing of money laundering and organized crime intelligence between law enforcement and Canada's big banks.

Integrating Sustainable Development

Public Safety Canada will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of Federal Sustainable Development Strategy goals and targets through its Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process. A SEA for a policy, program or regulatory proposal includes an analysis of the climate, nature, environmental and economic effects of the given proposal.

Public statements on the results of Public Safety Canada's assessments are made public when an initiative has undergone a detailed Strategic Assessment (SEA). The purpose of the public statement is to demonstrate that the environmental effects, including the impacts on achieving the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy goals and targets, of the approved policy, plan or program have been considered during proposal development and decision making.

Public Safety Canada did not complete any detailed Strategic Environmental Assessments in 2024 to 2025.

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