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Safe streets and safe communities are a hallmark of life in Canada and are the foundation of happy families and a strong economy. However, Canadian streets and communities are increasingly threatened by gun, gang and drug violence.
As these threats grow, so must the capacity of Canadian law enforcement to respond and protect Canadians. Over the next two years, the Government will tackle crime by increasing the number of Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers. The Government will also help communities prevent criminal behaviour among youth before it takes root. In addition, the Government will work to ensure the integrity of all components of the federal justice system, including providing victims of crime with a greater voice and greater access to victims’ services.
- $161 million for 1,000 more RCMP officers and federal prosecutors to focus on such law-enforcement priorities as drugs, corruption and border security (including gun smuggling).
- $37 million for the RCMP to expand its National Training Academy (Depot) to accommodate these new officers and build the capacity to train more officers in the future.
- Set aside funds to expand Canada’s correctional facilities to house the expected increase in inmates as a result of changes in sentencing rules.
- $20 million for communities to prevent youth crime with a focus on guns, gangs and drugs.
- $15 million over two years to increase the ability of the RCMP to populate the Data Bank with DNA samples from a greater range of convicted offenders
- $26 million to give victims a more effective voice in the federal corrections and justice system, and to give victims greater access to services (such as travel to appear at parole hearings).
- $101 million to begin arming border officers and eliminating "work-alone" posts.
- $303 million to implement a border strategy to promote the movement of low-risk trade and travellers within North America while protecting Canadians from security threats.
RCMP Federal Policing (Including the RCMP National Training Academy)
The Government has committed to enhancing frontline law enforcement capacity in Canada. The RCMP, as Canada’s national police force, maintains a strong and vital presence in all provinces and territories. RCMP officers help protect Canadian families and communities by investigating threats from organized crime, terrorism, drugs and cross-border smuggling.
Budget 2006 provides $161 million over two years for the RCMP to expand the number of police officers across the country, and for the Department of Justice Canada to hire additional federal prosecutors. This funding will enable the RCMP to fill 1,000 vacancies by 2010. These new police officers and prosecutors will focus on law enforcement priorities such as drugs, corruption and border security (including gun smuggling).
The new RCMP officers will receive world-class basic police training at the RCMP National Training Academy (Depot). Budget 2006 provides $37 million over two years for the RCMP to expand the Depot to accommodate these new officers and build the capacity to train more officers in the future. This funding will finance the construction of new buildings such as barracks, classrooms and a dining hall. This funding will also be used to strengthen the field coaching program to ensure that all Depot graduates are paired, during their first posting, with veteran officers who have completed the RCMP field coaching course.
Correctional Service Canada
In support of the Government’s efforts to address serious crime and to ensure that jail sentences match the severity of the crimes committed, Budget 2006 sets aside funding for Correctional Service Canada to expand correctional facilities to address the expected increase in the federal inmate population. A new medium security institution and additional maximum security capacity may be needed.
Youth Crime Prevention
Too many youths are becoming involved with guns, gangs, drugs and other crimes that lead to increased crime in Canadian streets and communities. While law enforcement is important, effective crime prevention is also needed for youth at risk. Budget 2006 provides $20 million over two years for communities to prevent youth crime. Additional details will be announced shortly following consultations.
National DNA Data Bank
The RCMP’s National DNA Data Bank is an important resource for Canadian law enforcement agencies, as it helps police across the country to identify the guilty and exonerate the innocent. Budget 2006 provides $15 million over two years to increase the ability of the RCMP to populate the Data Bank with DNA samples from a greater range of convicted offenders, such as sex offenders, as well as with DNA samples from a greater range of crime scenes.
Victims of Crime
Canadians who have become victims of crime deserve to have a strong advocate for their rights within the justice system. Budget 2006 provides $26 million over two years to give victims a more effective voice in the federal corrections and justice system, and to give victims greater access to services such as travel to appear at parole hearings. Additional details will be announced at a later date.
Securing Canada’s Borders
Keeping Canada safe from external threats requires a dedicated workforce at the border. The border officers of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) manage, control and secure Canada’s border at approximately 1,200 points across Canada and 39 locations abroad. These officers face a growing challenge in intercepting potential threats, including high-risk individuals, firearms, explosives and drugs, without delaying legitimate commerce or travel.
The Government is committed to enhancing border security and the safety of these officers by providing them with sidearms and the training required for their use. This will be done in a staged process beginning with high-traffic ports of entry. The Government will also ensure these officers are not required to work alone.
