Transition Binder: Transition 2024 – Ministerial Welcome Letter

December 20, 2024

Minister of Public Safety
269 Laurier Street West
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0P8

Dear Minister,

Congratulations on your appointment as Minister of Public Safety. I am very much looking forward to working with you and supporting you in the delivery of the Government's objectives for the Public Safety Portfolio. I am confident that you will be well supported by a dynamic, diverse, and experienced team at the Department and across the Portfolio, as well as the Associate Minister of Public Safety.

As you know, the Portfolio plays a central role in protecting our communities and keeping Canadians safe. In many respects, it is a function that largely falls to the federal government, but requires us to partner with other orders of government, Indigenous peoples, public and private institutions, and a wide variety of civil society actors to ensure the country is secure and able to respond to critical situations.

Advancing high-profile policy priorities will occupy our attention over the coming weeks and months. [REDACTED]

As the Minister of Public Safety, you and your Associate Minister are responsible for leading thirty-one Mandate Letter Commitments as outlined by the Prime Minister in November 2021. Fifteen have been completed and the remaining are in progress, including requiring several legislative measures to advance outstanding commitments. While we work to address a large volume of highly visible and complex organizational and legislative priorities, it will be important to establish strong communication both internally with the Portfolio as well as with our partners and Canadians, to send a clear message of strength and resilience.

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You will find enclosed with this letter a booklet listing key contacts across the Portfolio, as well media lines related to the top issues of public interest. You and your office will also receive an Issues Binder, which outlines in more detail the priorities of the department and a Reference Binder, which provides an overview of the Department and Portfolio. It is important to note that this letter, the booklet and the two binders will be proactively disclosed on the Department's website in 120 days.

Serving as a bridge between the Department and yourself, I look forward to discussing your priorities and how you want to start with briefings. I and the Department also play a centralized role for you with regard to the rest of the Portfolio and I would be pleased to continue in my role coordinating and ensuring you have coherent advice from across the Portfolio.

Once again Minister, welcome to Public Safety. I wish you and your Associate Minister every success during your time here. I look forward to bring to you and the Associate Minister the Department's very best advice and support.

Should you have questions or need to get hold of me, my cell is [REDACTED] and my office line is (613) 991-2891.

Tricia Geddes

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