Public Safety Canada

Public Safety Canada (PS), formerly known as Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC), builds and implements national policies for emergency management and national security, and helps ensure community safety by delivering crime prevention programs and developing federal policies for law enforcement and corrections.

The PS portfolio consists of the Department, and five agencies: Correctional Service Canada, the National Parole Board, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Preparedness (OCIPEP) was moved into the Emergency Management and National Security Branch of the Department of Public Safety but is still presented here as a separate section until its content is migrated into the appropriate section.

Click here to visit the Public Safety Canada official website.

Resources

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National plan to protect us from terrorists
The government plans to roll out a national strategy to protect critical infrastructure from terrorist attacks and other threats. Support could be provided by the Integrated Threat Assessment Centre, an around-the-clock operation headquartered at  [...]
HTML | Published: 2007-05-26 | Added: 2007-06-03

Integrating terrorism intelligence resources
Nine departments are represented in ITAC: the Privy Council Office, Foreign Affairs Canada, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, National Defence, Canada Border Services Agency, Transport Canada, CSE, CSIS and the RCMP.
HTML | Published: 2007-02-24 | Added: 2007-02-24

Canadians to face more pre-flight scrutiny
The RCMP and CSIS will be able to examine up to 34 pieces of information about everyone who flies in Canada under a comprehensive passenger screening program being developed by Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada.
HTML | Published: 2007-01-24 | Added: 2007-01-24

Deputy Prime Minister releases progress report on implementation of National Security Policy
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Anne McLellan today tabled in Parliament Securing an Open Society: One Year Later, a progress report on the implementation of the National Security Policy.
HTML | Published: 2005-05-11 | Added: 2005-05-12

Securing an Open Society: One Year Later
This report describes progress in implementing a number of initiatives identified in the National Security Policy, as well as several other national security enhancements.
PDF | Published: 2005-04-01 | Added: 2005-05-12

Government of Canada Announces CBRN Strategy
The aim of the Government of Canada's CBRN Strategy is to protect Canada and Canadians by taking all possible measures to prevent, mitigate and respond effectively to a CBRN terrorist incident.
HTML | Published: 2005-03-31 | Added: 2005-04-24

Mountie secrets hinder rights monitor
Canada needs a brand-new watchdog powerful enough to make the Mounties and spy agencies answerable to the public. In the wake of the Maher Arar affair, action must be taken to compel co-operation from investigators in national security cases.
HTML | Published: 2005-03-02 | Added: 2005-03-03

McLellan defends reach, scope of anti-terror law
Canada's anti-terror law needs only "fine-tuning" because it strikes "the right balance" between protecting national security and civil liberties, says Public Safety Minister Anne McLellan.
HTML | Published: 2005-02-15 | Added: 2005-02-16

Ottawa plays down U.S. warning
McLellan said there is no reason to believe that al-Qaeda has a cell of operatives in Canada after the United States issued a warning about an apparent plot to attack U.S. targets this summer by a group of suspected terrorists that includes two  [...]
HTML | Published: 2004-05-27 | Added: 2004-06-01

Further Action Against Terrorism
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Anne McLellan announces further action against terrorism.
LINK | Published: 2004-05-17 | Added: 2004-05-31

Top Canadian spy: Attack probable
Canada's top spy, Ward Elcock, said a terrorist attack on Canada is almost inevitable given that the country appears on Osama bin Laden's blacklist.
HTML | Published: 2004-05-07 | Added: 2004-05-10

Government of Canada releases comprehensive National Security Policy
McLellan today tabled in Parliament Canada's first comprehensive statement on national security. Securing An Open Society: Canada's National Security Policy, sets out an integrated strategy and action plan designed to address current and future  [...]
LINK | Published: 2004-04-27 | Added: 2004-05-01

New funding initiatives
The Government of Canada will invest $137 million to support intelligence enhancement as part of the National Security Policy.
LINK | Published: 2004-04-27 | Added: 2004-05-01

Securing An Open Society: Canada's National Security Policy
Further investments to enhance Canada's intelligence collection capacity, with a focus on Security Intelligence.
LINK | Published: 2004-04-27 | Added: 2004-05-01

Al Qaeda website urges attacks on Canada
Canada has been named again in a chilling new call to arms from al Qaeda. A posting found this week on an al Qaeda website places Canada fifth on a target list. Public Security Minister Anne McLellan downplayed any threat.
HTML | Published: 2004-03-31 | Added: 2004-04-29

Securing An Open Society: Canada's National Security Policy
Further investments will be made to enhance Canada's intelligence collection capacity, with a focus on Security Intelligence.
PDF | Published: 2004-04-27 | Added: 2004-04-27

Ottawa devising system to protect sensitive data
The Liberals are creating a government-wide secret communications system to protect sensitive terrorism information from hackers. "Intelligence gathering is key if you're going to deal with issues around terrorism, if you're going to prevent various  [...]
HTML | Published: 2004-03-26 | Added: 2004-04-22

Ottawa to set up secure communication system safe from hackers
A government-wide secret communication system is in the works to ensure federal officials can talk to each other without hackers or terrorists snooping on them.
HTML | Published: 2004-03-25 | Added: 2004-04-22

A National Security Committee of Parliamentarians
Consultation Paper to Help Inform the Creation of a Committee of Parliamentarians to Review National Security
LINK | Published: 2004-04-07 | Added: 2004-04-21

Deputy Prime Minister tables consultation paper on National Security Committee of Parliamentarians
The Committee's creation is part of the Government's Action Plan on Democratic Reform, announced by the Prime Minister on December 12. It will provide a broader role for Parliament in guiding and reviewing Canada's national security activities.
LINK | Published: 2004-03-31 | Added: 2004-04-21

PSEPC Departmental Organizational Change
PSEPC is a fundamental component of the Government's efforts to integrate federal activities under strong leadership, maximize the effectiveness of interagency cooperation, and increase accountability to all Canadians.
LINK | Published: 2004-04-16 | Added: 2004-04-21

Backgrounder - Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
The Portfolio consists of the Department and six agencies. There are also three independent review bodies that ensure accountability and respect for the rule of law, and two statutory review bodies of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service  [...]
LINK | Published: 2004-02-13 | Added: 2004-04-14

Canada vows to do more to prevent attacks on U.S.
Canada will take new measures to fight terror and prevent the country from being used as a base by militants seeking to launch strikes against the United States. Priorities include intelligence enhancement, marine security, cyber security, improving  [...]
HTML | Published: 2004-03-25 | Added: 2004-04-14

Fraser report sounds security alarm
Canada has ignored the lessons from the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks by bungling efforts to keep terrorists out and allowing as many as 4,500 workers possibly linked to organized crime a free rein at airports, Auditor-General Sheila Fraser says.
HTML | Published: 2004-03-31 | Added: 2004-04-14

Key highlights in response to Chapter 3 of the Auditor General's Report "National Security in Canada - the 2001 Anti-Terrorism Initiative"
The Government is moving in the right direction, with efforts to more closely co-ordinate the collection of intelligence information and to encourage the exchange of information among analysts.
LINK | Published: 2004-03-30 | Added: 2004-04-14

McLellan defends government security spending
Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan defended government security spending on Sunday, two days before an Auditor General's report that will question how effectively the government spent $7.7 billion to secure Canada after Sept. 11.
HTML | Published: 2004-03-28 | Added: 2004-04-14

Securing Canada: Laying The Groundwork For Canada's First National Security Policy
We must protect the physical safety of Canadians, we need to continue to ensure Canada is not a base for threats to others, and our National Security Policy should contribute to the development of a more effective international security system.
LINK | Published: 2004-03-25 | Added: 2004-04-14

Ottawa laying ground work for special Joint Parliamentary National Security Committee: Minister McLellan
In a wide-ranging interview, Ms. McLellan, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, spoke at length about the challenges she faces in her new portfolio.
PDF | Published: 2004-03-08 | Added: 2004-03-18

CIA paid me to spy: Abdurahman Khadr
Prime Minister Paul Martin says it's confidential whether Canadian intelligence agencies knew about the Khadr family's terrorist connections, but says it's a good example of why Canada is investing more in intelligence.
HTML | Published: 2004-03-05 | Added: 2004-03-07

Canada was targeted by al-Qaida, says U.S. report
Jewish targets in Ottawa were part of a foiled terrorist attack by a South American-based group linked to al-Qaida aiming to simultaneously assault landmarks in Canada, Paraguay and Argentina to undermine the Middle East peace process.
HTML | Published: 2004-02-09 | Added: 2004-02-12

PM wants to expand overseas spy service
In the clearest signal yet of a coming shake-up in the counter-terrorism business in this country, Prime Minister Paul Martin said this week he wants to expand Canada's spy operations overseas.
HTML | Published: 2004-02-07 | Added: 2004-02-07

Directory of the National Security Branch
Government electronic directory of the staff at the National Security Branch of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada.
LINK | Published: 2001-01-01 | Added: 2004-02-06

Public Safety ministry combines several agencies
Taking a cue from the United States, the federal government has created an overarching public security ministry to help Canada deal with everything from terrorist threats to natural disasters.
HTML | Published: 2003-12-12 | Added: 2004-02-06

New Structural Changes to the Government of Canada
The new Martin Government has initiated significant structural changes in Canadian Government Operations.
LINK | Published: 2004-01-01 | Added: 2004-01-18

Wesley Wark
With remarkable stealth, Paul Martin and his team developed, and have now unveiled, a surprising and ambitious security agenda. It will take some time to feel its full impact, but Mr. Martin clearly intends to address the many deficiencies in Canada's  [...]
HTML | Published: 2003-12-17 | Added: 2003-12-22

Security agency won't mirror U.S. operation, McLellan says
But as Ms. McLellan emphasized in an interview yesterday, her new ministry is not the mirror image of the one south of the border. It is less sweeping, in one sense, because it does not encompass any immigration functions, a reflection of Canadians'  [...]
HTML | Published: 2003-12-13 | Added: 2003-12-14

Changes to Government
The Government of Canada must play a fundamental role in securing the public health and safety of Canadians, while ensuring that all Canadians continue to enjoy the benefits of an open society. The government will achieve these goals by making the  [...]
LINK | Published: 2003-12-12 | Added: 2003-12-12

Government unveils public-safety department
The Paul Martin government has unveilled a sweeping new public-safety department -- and is creating a new agency -- that will add public-health functions and disaster response to policing and border security.
HTML | Published: 2003-12-12 | Added: 2003-12-12

Martin aims for change as new Canadian leader
Alberta's Anne McLellan, currently health minister, becomes deputy prime minister and in charge of a new portfolio, internal or national security, intended to mirror the U.S. Homeland Security Department.
HTML | Published: 2003-12-12 | Added: 2003-12-12

Martin cabinet takes shape
Mr. Martin plans to set up at least two big new ministries to combine the tasks of several current departments, including a public security portfolio to oversee the RCMP, CSIS and border and port security.
HTML | Published: 2003-12-11 | Added: 2003-12-12

Martin plans domestic security unit
Canada will develop a comprehensive national security policy to deal with the continuing threat of terrorism, says prime minister-to-be Paul Martin. The new approach will ensure greater co-ordination between the military, police, intelligence agencies,  [...]
HTML | Published: 2003-11-16 | Added: 2003-12-12

Time Right for Review of Canada's National Security Policy says Federal Solicitor General Wayne Easter
Federal Solicitor General Wayne Easter said today in a speech to a forum discussing Canada/U.S. relations that it is time for a substantive review of Canada's national security policy.
LINK | Published: 2003-12-04 | Added: 2003-12-04

What's a little torture between trading partners?
As the ever-practical Wayne Easter, Canada's solicitor-general, pointed out, if we're not willing to co-operate with the Americans on "national security issues" we're going to mess up our economic relationship, and our livelihood is at stake.
HTML | Published: 2003-11-25 | Added: 2003-11-26

Notes for a Speech by the Honourable Wayne Easter Solicitor General Of Canada at the CASIS Conference
We set about to reinforce our national security system to the tune of eight billion dollars. We created integrated national security enforcement teams in major Canadian cities, bringing together the RCMP, CSIS, Customs, Immigration and other law  [...]
LINK | Published: 2003-10-16 | Added: 2003-10-17

Solicitor general refuses inquiry
Solicitor-General Wayne Easter has ruled out a public inquiry to determine how Maher Arar, a Syrian-born Canadian, was deported from the United States and jailed for 374 days in a Damascus prison without charges.
HTML | Published: 2003-10-07 | Added: 2003-10-08

Statement On National Security
But the global security environment constantly changes and we must be aware of that. We must stand on guard against these dangers, and adapt to the challenges they pose. We must make sure we have the best people, the best information and the most  [...]
LINK | Published: 2003-06-05 | Added: 2003-06-05