Evidence of meeting #136 for Public Safety and National Security in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was fentanyl.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Raquel Dancho
Yes. Thank you.
We'll go to Ms. Zahid for five minutes, please.
Liberal
Salma Zahid Liberal Scarborough Centre, ON
Thank you, Chair.
Thanks to the witnesses for appearing before the committee.
My first question is for Commissioner Duheme.
When we think of securing our border, my mind instantly goes to the good work done by the CBSA. However, between ports of entry, it is the RCMP jurisdiction. What work is the RCMP doing to surveil our borders between the different ports of entry?
Commr Michael Duheme
The RCMP relies on different means of ensuring protection between the ports of entry. We have boats that are on the Great Lakes. We have a program called “Shiprider” for the Great Lakes.
We have the marine security operations centres, that coordination piece that happens on the east coast and the west coast.
Between using both our technology and the human patrols we have, that is how we ensure the security of the border.
Liberal
Salma Zahid Liberal Scarborough Centre, ON
The RCMP are not the only eyes on the land border with the U.S. What should we understand as parliamentarians about the co-operation between agencies, whether federal, provincial, territorial or indigenous, when it comes to border security and border-related law enforcement?
Commr Michael Duheme
Madam Chair, I think it's fair to say that, as Canadians, we all want the same thing: a secure border. If provincial premiers are providing additional resources to assist, I would say that we should ensure there's coordination and that we work together to ensure that the borders are safe because, ultimately, that's the end objective for Canadians.
Liberal
Salma Zahid Liberal Scarborough Centre, ON
Similarly, regarding co-operation with the authorities in various jurisdictions on the American side, how long have such relationships existed? Can you please point to some specific instances of successful inter-agency co-operation?
Commr Michael Duheme
Madam Chair, as for length of time, I'm not aware, but it goes back several years.
In terms of success stories, I think I shared one with the committee the last time I was here. We had a case in Manitoba where our U.S. CBP colleagues spotted six individuals, I believe, crossing northbound on a cold night. We were informed. We dispatched our team there to, I would say, save the people, because most of them were transported to the hospital. I believe that, to this day, there's still one who is in the hospital with severe frostbite. That's good co-operation, and a good example of how we collaborate with U.S. CBP.
I'll go back to what Aaron said earlier. This is done on a daily basis. We have our integrated border enforcement teams—better known as IBETs—working collaboratively. We have people from different agencies and law enforcement coming together, sharing intelligence and sometimes planning operations. This is strong, because nobody can do it alone. It's bringing people together to ensure the border is safe.
Liberal
Salma Zahid Liberal Scarborough Centre, ON
Thank you, Commissioner.
What measures does the RCMP currently have in place to prevent unauthorized or irregular crossings of people at the Canada-U.S. border?
Liberal
Commr Michael Duheme
The measures include data that comes in on a daily basis. At the end of the week, we have a chart of who crossed, how many apprehensions there were, how many were gone on arrival and the ethnicity of the people who are crossing the border. That's spread out on a monthly basis and a yearly basis, as well.
I know we also look at the data the CBSA gets, I think, on a daily basis. I don't want to speak on behalf of Aaron, but I think they collect it on a daily basis.
Liberal
Salma Zahid Liberal Scarborough Centre, ON
How do you think the safe third country agreement supports the RCMP's efforts in preventing irregular border crossings?
Commr Michael Duheme
Well, based on our observations and interceptions, and as I shared earlier, we have 1,100 people to date who crossed northbound. They were all apprehended. Then the safe third country agreement kicks in, so we hand them over to CBSA and they do their work.
Yes, it has an impact, for sure.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Raquel Dancho
I'm so sorry, Mrs. Zahid, but we're out of time. We'll come back to you.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Raquel Dancho
Actually, I might use my prerogative as chair to follow up on something you said briefly about the shiprider program.
That's a dual American-Canadian program. They ride the boat together. When they cross into Canadian territory, the Canadian takes over. In American territory, the American takes over.
Is that correct?
Chief Superintendent Mathieu Bertrand Director General, Serious and Organized Crime and Border Integrity, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Thank you, Commissioner.
You're correct. It's a truly binational operating program. The members train together. The training is done in South Carolina. The premise is this: If there's an interdiction required on the Canadian side, the Canadian law enforcement officials utilize their authorities. When the ship crosses over to the U.S. side, there's respect of sovereignty, and U.S. law enforcement uses its powers.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Raquel Dancho
Okay.
I have a brief follow-up.
You were looking at a “dirt rider” program—an on-land comparison—but that never really came to fruition.
Is that correct?
C/Supt Mathieu Bertrand
Madam Chair, the term is “land rider”. I believe it's still being discussed between the two countries.
