Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
My name is Robert Davis, and I'm the district commander for the RCMP's federal and international operations service delivery here in the greater Toronto area. On behalf of the RCMP and specifically O Division, I thank you for providing Inspector Penney and me with this opportunity.
The committee has invited us to discuss the state of organized crime. I will be directing my remarks principally in the context of the GTA. I would like to begin by taking a very brief moment to highlight relevant information regarding the GTA.
According to recent census figures, the GTA represents less than 1% of the geographic expanse of Ontario, yet it is home to more than 5,500,000 people, and these figures are three years old. Over 140 languages and dialects are spoken here, and approximately 44% of the population lists a language other than English or French as a mother tongue. In addition, the GTA is Canada's largest immigrant receiving area; more than 70% of residents over 15 years of age are either immigrants or the children of immigrants.
The GTA contains the seat of the provincial government and is the industrial and financial capital of Canada. It contains the country's largest and busiest airport, which in 2008 saw passenger traffic of over 32 million people and processed some 45% of all of Canada's air cargo. It is also within one day's drive of 135 million people in two countries.
In short, our immediate field of play is a comparatively small piece of real estate containing the financial hub of the country, close to 20% of the population, enormous domestic and international political influence, and a community that is a tremendous mosaic in terms of culture, heritage, education, business, religion, and common interests. In other words, there are an enormous number of variables, which in turn present an abundance of opportunity to criminal organizations and at the same time significant challenges to law enforcement and the community as a whole.
The RCMP's policing environment in the GTA--and in Ontario and Quebec, for that matter--is different from what it is in most other areas in the country. City, regional, and provincial police services have primary jurisdiction, while the RCMP in these non-contract provinces is primarily responsible for the enforcement of federal statutes and national security matters. Our GTA district federal policing is predominantly project-based and focused on criminal organizations. Typically these investigations are long-term, multi-jurisdictional, and costly. Fortunately, we enjoy close informal and formal working relationships with our policing partners.
Within this environment we have seen, and continue to witness, the evolution of criminal organizations in both number and variety. From historical secret societies--which still do exist--to the vast array of more recent criminal enterprises, adaptability is the cornerstone defining their survival and success. Our enforcement initiatives have identified a move from traditional heritage-based organized crime groups to multicultural criminal organizations forging alliances that are fluid in both duration and scope. The basis of these alliances is a common purpose and the requisite criminal capabilities.
Regardless of the illicit commodity, the sole purpose of any criminal organization is the acquisition and legitimization of wealth. To accomplish this goal, they have studied and embraced many of society's legitimate approaches to the 21st century. They outsource, they apply the latest advances in technology, and they consider law enforcement response as well as potential legal sanctions in the context of their undertakings. They also seek vulnerabilities and co-opt individuals from all sectors who have influence or knowledge that would further their goals. Examples range from government employees with access to passport documentation or knowledge of internal security processes to personnel within banking and related businesses, such as the money service businesses used to transfer money around the world.
Criminal organizations take active steps to mitigate risk. An example would be the compartmentalization of organizations active across the country or across countries. Many investigations directed at criminal organizations are commenced locally, yet take on a national or international dimension in short order. In one instance, the lead criminal organization was formed in one country and the commodity in a second, while the movement of the commodity between a third and fourth country was outsourced to other criminal enterprises. Canada was the third country in that scenario. This creates numerous issues relating to jurisdictions, the various systems of law, and sovereignty.
I understand you have spoken to a number of other sources across Canada regarding today's subject matter, and from what I have read, many of those discussions have focused on drugs. The drug world, with its rapid and high return, and its high sanctions, routine violence, and tremendous visible human carnage, is a universal subject when discussing organized crime. There is no doubt in my mind that drugs are one of the mainstays for organized crime. We see the illicit drug trade as an underlying influence across almost all federal programs here in the GTA, from identity theft to counterfeit currency to airport security.
Inspector Penney has been good enough to accompany me today, and he can address any questions on organized crime that are specific to drug enforcement.
Organized crime is involved in many activities and commodities other than the drug trade. It is an area I would like to take a few minutes to speak about, as it is all too often overlooked.
Human smuggling, counterfeit pharmaceuticals trafficked through the Internet, market and securities frauds, insurance fraud, tax fraud, tobacco smuggling, mass marketing schemes, counterfeit DVDs and electronic games, counterfeit banking instruments, and identify theft all generate great wealth at dramatically reduced risk to criminal enterprise when compared to drug trafficking. In some of these cases, profits can be just as high as in the drugs cases, tobacco smuggling for example, but the risk of prosecution and the criminal sanction upon conviction is considerably lower.
These crimes are not victimless, and they are extensive. Criminal groups that engage in these activities recognize that police resources are limited and that communities expect their more serious threats to be addressed first.
Legal sanctions associated with many other related federal statutes should be refreshed in order to provide real deterrence to current big criminal organizations. In some instances, the legislation itself should be reviewed and expanded. For instance, copyright offences are specifically excluded from proceeds of crime legislation, thereby limiting the ability to restrain assets derived from illegal activity. Also there is a lack of parity between current legislation and the speed of evolution in communications technology. Lawful access must be realized, as current technology permits criminal organizations to virtually hide in plain sight. I believe communication technology companies, including Internet service providers, should be guided by legislation that facilitates our lawful accessing of the information we need to bring criminal organizations before the courts. This speaks to encryption and the ever-changing digital communication platforms.
I am aware that Assistant Commissioner Mike Cabana appeared before the committee in March of last year and spoke to the issue of lawful access, as well as the challenges to law enforcement associated with disclosure. I will not belabour the point, but I will say that the current applications of disclosure weigh very heavily on all police operations. Disclosure reaches back in time and across jurisdictions, but it must be relevant disclosure. When already stretched resources are further encumbered in responding to no more than a subjective interpretation of a prosecutor or the delaying tactics of the defence, our capacity and capability are unnecessarily diminished. In the absence of defendable standards, it can be a tool to frustrate and exhaust legitimate enforcement. It can also cause crucial international partners to view us with considerable reticence.
In closing, Mr. Chair, the RCMP, particularly the GTA District Command, is committed to effectively challenging organized crime. This requires an ability to address gaps between the evolving capabilities of criminal organizations and the capabilities of law enforcement to respond to them.
Thank you.