Environmental Scan — June 2003

TABLE OF CONTENTS
	Foreword
	Acknowledgements
	Demographics
	Society
	Economy
	Politics & Governance
	Science & Technology
	Environment
	Policing & Security
	Appendix A — Legislative Overview
	Appendix B — Acronyms

FOREWORD

This is the 2003 version of the RCMP Environmental Scan. As per scans of the previous three years, we are focusing our “sensing” compass on seven key headings, and offer a comprehensive overview of the macro-level trends - both international and domestic - shaping our environment.

We have attempted to highlight new trends, as well as update themes reported in past editions. We have drawn from a wide range of sources including: print media; international organizations such as the OECD, WHO, UN, World Bank, etc.; think tanks in Canada and abroad; law enforcement agencies around the world; conferences; government publications and Web sites; radio and television documentaries; and input from RCMP business lines and Divisions.

While we try not to report the news, events of magnitude are increasingly reshaping both the global governance structure and the security environment of the world. The forces of the past year, particularly the war in Iraq, have had significant implications for the research in this document. With some distance from the events of September 11, we can see with greater clarity how they continue to affect and mold the future.

The scan is provided in pdf format for easy reading — with graphics as appropriate, quotes or statistics (white and yellow boxes) and the occasional trend implication highlighted (blue boxes) to promote further discussion.

Giuliano Zaccardelli
Commissioner

To obtain an electronic copy (PDF) of this section or the complete report, please send a request by e-mail to the Strategic Policy and Planning Branch of the RCMP at web@rcmp-grc.gc.ca