Evidence of meeting #74 for Public Safety and National Security in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was programs.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:50 a.m.
Assistant Commissioner, Federal and International Operations, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
You are talking about potential witnesses?
9:50 a.m.
Assistant Commissioner, Federal and International Operations, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
There is an interview process held with them to ensure that they know people well, and that they can prepare a management program for us which will allow these people to succeed within the program.
9:50 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Thank you very much, Mr. Rousseau.
We'll now move over to Mr. Gill, please.
Mr. Gill, you have five minutes.
March 5th, 2013 / 9:50 a.m.
Conservative
Parm Gill Conservative Brampton—Springdale, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I also want to thank the witnesses for appearing before our committee this morning.
I'm not sure who it is my question is directed to; it's whoever is the best individual to answer.
Can you help us understand the services that may be provided to a witness? I understand that every situation is probably different, depending upon the needs the individual may have, but what are they in general? I guess currently you have 108 or so witnesses under protection.
9:50 a.m.
Assistant Commissioner, Federal and International Operations, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
No, 108 would be the number of assessments we did last year.
9:50 a.m.
Conservative
Parm Gill Conservative Brampton—Springdale, ON
How many would you say you currently have in the program?
9:55 a.m.
Assistant Commissioner, Federal and International Operations, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
In the program, it's probably....
9:55 a.m.
Officer in Charge, Witness Protection Operations, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
It's between 800 and 1,000.
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
Parm Gill Conservative Brampton—Springdale, ON
That is 800 or 1,000 overall. For these 800 or 1,000, what services are needed for these individuals for the most part?
9:55 a.m.
Assistant Commissioner, Federal and International Operations, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
We've spoken here this morning to an extent about the program being protectee-focused. Some of it would be legal assistance, as they make a decision about entering the program. Certainly we provide psychological assessment and a case management plan. And then, you're absolutely correct, if it's a family, if there are linguistic disabilities, if job training is needed, if educational upgrading is required.... It can really run the gamut, but the goal, based upon the case assessment plan, is to help those people entering the program, recognizing the type of individual coming in, to succeed and become contributing members of society and not have to rely upon the program to support them throughout.
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
9:55 a.m.
Assistant Commissioner, Federal and International Operations, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
That's correct.
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
Parm Gill Conservative Brampton—Springdale, ON
What percentage of the candidates would be accepted into the program, out of the 108?
9:55 a.m.
Assistant Commissioner, Federal and International Operations, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Last year, I think it was about 30, so it's probably a third.
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
Parm Gill Conservative Brampton—Springdale, ON
Who has the final or ultimate say on whether someone is going to be accepted into a program or not?
9:55 a.m.
Assistant Commissioner, Federal and International Operations, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Ultimately it would be my sign-off, but there are a lot of processes before it would reach my desk. The potential protectee could decide not to, the assessments could evaluate that the person is not suitable to enter the program, for a multitude of reasons—it could be a dependency problem, it could be that the financial wherewithal of the person is such that as a business person.... There are a lot of evaluations that have to be done. There are a lot of measures along the way that could make the determination. The person could decide not to enter or we could decide that the person is not suitable to enter the program.
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
Parm Gill Conservative Brampton—Springdale, ON
Would you say that all of those 108 appeared before you, in front of you, on your desk?
9:55 a.m.
Assistant Commissioner, Federal and International Operations, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
Parm Gill Conservative Brampton—Springdale, ON
No. So some were eliminated before they got to your desk?
9:55 a.m.
Assistant Commissioner, Federal and International Operations, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Absolutely.
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
Parm Gill Conservative Brampton—Springdale, ON
Okay.
You mentioned the cost of $60,000 for a family of four. Can you tell us what sort of period that covers?
9:55 a.m.
Assistant Commissioner, Federal and International Operations, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
As I said, that's an estimate. Everything would vary, but that would be for one year.
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
