Evidence of meeting #43 for Public Safety and National Security in the 40th Parliament, 3rd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was rcmp.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
On another subject, Commissioner Elliott, we found out that there were armed U.S. Homeland Security officials who were allowed to freely enter and exit Canada with the same powers as Canadian law enforcement officers. Does this mean anything to you?
Commr William Elliott
I'm not exactly sure what you are referring to. I know that the U.S. agency referred to as ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has entered into some cross-designation arrangements with some municipal police forces, not with the RCMP.
We do have a program called Shiprider, under which we cross-designate U.S. law enforcement in the marine mode. We have done that on a pilot basis, and there is legislation pending with respect to establishing an appropriate legal framework for it.
Liberal
Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Precisely: the legislation is pending. But can you tell us how many of these armed U.S. Homeland Security officials took part in the G-20 security operations?
Commr William Elliott
I don't have that information; perhaps one of my colleagues does. I'm not aware of any.
Deputy Commissioner Al Nause Deputy Commissioner, Chief Human Resources Officer, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
I think you may be referring to the fact that on occasion U.S. Secret Service agents who come into Canada are sometimes appointed supernumerary special constables for the purpose of being able to carry their firearms, which is a reciprocal agreement that we have with many countries when our Prime Minister travels abroad. This is something that has occurred over the last 20 years.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Thank you very much.
We'll move to Madame Mourani.
Madame Mourani, vous avez sept minutes.
Commr William Elliott
Mr. Chairman, if I may add one point of clarification, the arrangement that Deputy Nause just referred to would certainly have been in place with respect to the Secret Service protecting the President of the United States while he was here for the G-8 and G-20 summits.
Conservative
Bloc
Maria Mourani Bloc Ahuntsic, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Good afternoon to everyone. I thank you for being here with us today.
Before broaching labour relations or management issues within the RCMP, I would like to know whether you read a document prepared by the RCMP entitled: Human Trafficking in Canada: A Threat Assessment.
Bloc
Maria Mourani Bloc Ahuntsic, QC
This document was published several months ago. I must admit that I was extremely shocked when I read it. I wondered whether the fact of considering prostitution as sex trade work was an inherent part of the RCMP philosophy.
Is that the case?
Conservative
Bloc
Maria Mourani Bloc Ahuntsic, QC
Yes. I am referring to: Human Trafficking in Canada: A Threat Assessment. It is dated March 2010.
Does the RCMP consider prostitution to be sex trade work?
Commr William Elliott
I'm not sure I understand the question.
People involved in prostitution are commonly referred to as sex trade workers, so I don't understand the question behind the honourable member's question.
Bloc
Maria Mourani Bloc Ahuntsic, QC
The purpose of my question is to find out whether for the RCMP, prostitution is work.
Conservative
November 29th, 2010 / 3:50 p.m.
Conservative
Dave MacKenzie Conservative Oxford, ON
I think we've gotten into some difficulty here. I know the orders of the day say that it's a briefing on the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, but I think, with all due respect, that to get into some of these extraneous issues...it's very difficult for the panel to try to address them. I think the Commissioner has been clear here. I don't think he understands or knew what Ms. Mourani was talking about. If we could just focus on what the initial intention was...?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Thank you, Mr. MacKenzie. At these committees, I try to give a fair bit of leeway.
Madame Mourani is referencing a report. By the RCMP...?
Bloc
Maria Mourani Bloc Ahuntsic, QC
Yes, a report was produced by the RCMP, and throughout the document prostitution is defined as work. And so as a federal organization, I want to know whether it is the philosophy of the RCMP to consider prostitution as work, yes or no. It is a very simple question.