Mr. Chair, thank you for the invitation to discuss the 2017-18 supplementary estimates (A) for the Department of Public Safety.
It’s an honour to have the opportunity to highlight our organization's efforts to keep Canadians safe and to say how these investments fit into that work.
I will begin with a brief overview of the numbers for Public Safety Canada. As committee members will note, on a portfolio-wide basis, the supplementary estimates (A) represent a net increase of $222.4 million, or 2.5%, over the total authorities provided through the main estimates and in-year adjustments for 2017-18.
For Public Safety Canada, voted appropriations sought in these estimates represent an increase of $4.2 million. These investments will help the department carry out three activities.
First, $2.4 million will support the department's work to analyze implementation options for the potential development of a public safety broadband network, further to the commitment made in budget 2015. This initiative is aimed at strengthening Canada's public safety agencies' communications, operations, and response coordination during crises and day-to-day operations.
I would note that the estimates also allocate $600,000 to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada for this initiative. On May 19, 2017, that total of $3 million was announced by Minister Goodale and Minister Bains. It will also allow the departments to conduct stakeholder consultations and produce evidence-based analysis on implementation models for consideration in a public safety broadband network.
Secondly, an investment of $1.1 million will support and enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure in Canada through the one-year renewal of the regional resilience assessment program, RRAP, and the virtual risk analysis cell, VRAC, further to the commitment of budget 2017.
For context, the RRAP conducts site assessments that help better defend and protect critical infrastructure facilities and systems across Canada. The VRAC develops analytical assessments and tools on the immediate downstream and cross-sector impacts of disruptions to critical infrastructure and facilitates enhanced information sharing through an online portal.
Finally, for the department, you'll note an investment of $700,000 for a one-year renewal of the Investment Canada Act national security review program, as committed to in budget 2017. The national security review process is supported by Public Safety Canada and Canada's security and intelligence agencies, and other investigative bodies prescribed in the ICA.
You'll also hear from my colleague, Jeff, the interim director of CSIS, that CSIS is also involved in this work and is seeking a one-year renewal of funding as well. The funding will be used by the department and CSIS to assess each foreign investment transaction to examine whether it is injurious to national security, and if so, make recommendations for appropriate actions to address the threat. At this time, the resources allocated to identification and risk-management activities are time limited until March 31, 2018.
Mr. Chair, what I've just outlined is a small but important sample of the work performed by Public Safety Canada to ensure the security of Canadians. These estimates will help us further deliver on the department’s mandate.
I'll be happy to answer any question you have about these estimates.