The first priority of the Government of Canada is to protect Canadian sovereignty and to ensure the safety and security of Canadians both at home and abroad.
The Public Safety Portfolio plays a pivotal role in ensuring that Canadian sovereignty is respected and enforced in all aspects of our work. This includes work in Public Safety Canada and CSIS to protect Canada from threats to national security, CBSA's role to ensure integrity of our borders and RCMP's efforts to maintain order and the rule of law.
National security
The safety and security of Canadians and Canada remains our priority.
Preserving national security is multi-faceted and requires cooperation across a diverse range of initiatives and programs.
Canada's law enforcement and security agencies, investigate and respond to potential threats, and we will always take the necessary action to keep Canadians and those on Canadian soil safe.
Public Safety Canada coordinates work to confront threats to national security, including counter-terrorism, critical infrastructure, cyber security and foreign interference.
Foreign interference
Foreign interference poses a significant threat to Canada, targeting aspects of society and government.
Canada works extensively with international partners – bilaterally, multilaterally, and through other international bodies – to ensure that our approach to addressing malicious cyber activity and foreign interference is focused and protects Canadians and our democratic institutions.
Public Safety Canada plays a leadership role in bringing coordination to Canada's response to foreign interference.
Recent legislation (Bill C-70 Royal Assent on June 20, 2024), updates our laws to better equip us to detect, disrupt, and protect against foreign interference threats.
Border security
Canada must continue to prioritize efforts at the border that protect Canadian interests.
We are ensuring 24/7 eyes on the border through enhanced surveillance and mobilization of law enforcement and civilian forces with new and modernized equipment. Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are working on protecting the border.
Canada and the U.S. have an important relationship and we continue to work together to protect the security of our shared border while facilitating the secure transfer of services and legitimate goods.
We know that reciprocal operational coordination and information sharing between our federal, provincial and territorial authorities, the U.S. and other international partners is key to fighting organized drug crime, fentanyl trafficking and money laundering and we are actively working to enhance this.
Canada is executing a Border Action Plan to bolster security at the border and strengthen the immigration system, all while keeping Canadians safe and prioritizing Canadian sovereignty. Backed by an investment of $1.3 billion and built around five pillars, this plan will bolster border security, strengthen our immigration system and contribute to ensuring Canada's future prosperity.
Key actions taken through our Border Plan include working with U.S. counterparts to establish a Joint Operational Intelligence Cell (JOIC) and North American Joint Strikeforce; the listing of seven transnational criminal organizations largely responsible for fentanyl pouring into our communities; and the launch of a new intelligence partnership made up of key players from Canada's financial services sector and law enforcement.
Removals
The CBSA has a legal obligation to remove all foreign nationals and permanent residents who are inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
The decision to remove someone from Canada is not taken lightly. The Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) determines when a person is admissible or whether to issue a removal order.
We have also strengthened our visa screening to keep unauthorized people out, and increased our ability to remove bad actors from Canada.
All individuals who are subject to removal have access to due process and procedural fairness. The CBSA only actions a removal order once all avenues of recourse have been exhausted.
Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) / Asylum seekers
It is illegal to enter between ports of entry and it is not safe. Asylum seekers should cross the border at designated ports of entry. The Safe Third Country Agreement applies to the entire land border.
People who do not meet a STCA exception, or are otherwise determined ineligible, will be removed to the U.S.
Firearms
The safety and security of everyone in Canada is the government's top priority, and it requires strong action to protect individuals from gun violence.
In the coming months, we will build on the investments made in law enforcement, border security, and Canadian communities as well as on the strong legislative and regulatory measures now in effect like the national handgun freeze, new harm reduction measures and increased penalties for trafficking and smuggling.
Removing assault-style firearms from Canadian communities is another way to prevent gun violence and crime.
An efficient Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program aims to provide fair compensation for eligible businesses and individuals who possess these prohibited firearms.
The compensation program is showing good results with firearms businesses having submitted claims for compensation for over 12,000 assault-style firearms.
The compensation program is expected to be extended to include the assault-style firearms prohibited last December and March, and to be open to individual firearm owners later in 2025.