Mr. Chair, members of the committee, allow me to introduce myself. I am Inspector Sylvain Joyal. I am the officer in charge of the RCMP Montreal Drug Section. It is a privilege for me and a unique opportunity for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to be here today. I would also like to mention that I am with Inspector Martine Fontaine. Inspector Fontaine is the officer in charge of the Montreal Integrated Proceeds of Crime Section.
I want to thank you, Mr. Chair, for allowing me to address the committee for the next few minutes on the issue of organized crime in Quebec. I will take this opportunity to discuss with you some of the differences between today's organized crime compared with the situation in the 1970s. I will also highlight the contemporary challenges we must face to fulfil our mission to ensure safe home and safe communities. It will be a pleasure for both of us to answer your questions following the presentation.
First, as you know, Mr. Chair, the RCMP in Quebec does not have a primary public safety role as it does elsewhere in Canada. Under the Quebec Police Act, calls from the public requiring emergency assistance regarding such offences as individual cases of theft, fraud or drug trafficking fall under the jurisdiction of municipal or provincial police departments. Our mandate consists in providing federal police services and investigating national and international organized crime.