Evidence of meeting #19 for Public Safety and National Security in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was officers.
A recording is available from Parliament.
President, National Police Federation
You should probably speak through to CBSA. They would be the subject matter experts on that.
Conservative
Rhonda Kirkland Conservative Oshawa, ON
Okay.
It seems to me that they ought to be detained until they are removed, to prevent them from vanishing again, but I suspect that's not what is happening.
You did mention they flee, resist arrest and then reoffend. Were you referring to being released and reoffending or...?
President, National Police Federation
Should someone be in Canada illegally with a criminal record or with exposure to criminal history, and should they be released on their own recognizance awaiting an appearance, they may reoffend, yes.
Conservative
Rhonda Kirkland Conservative Oshawa, ON
They are being released then, after they're taken into custody. Rather than being removed, they're being released.
President, National Police Federation
It's my understanding, yes. Not all, but some are being released, yes.
Conservative
Rhonda Kirkland Conservative Oshawa, ON
Perhaps, based on the public safety minister's testimony, those are the addresses he possibly is referring to. When we release them, we have addresses, but who knows where they go after that? We do not know, if we release them.
Do you have any more insight into how Canada reached the point where so many convicted foreign nationals can simply disappear before deportation? Do you have anything more to add on that?
Conservative
Rhonda Kirkland Conservative Oshawa, ON
Okay. How much danger do these missing individuals pose to the general public, would you say?
President, National Police Federation
Without knowing who we're talking about or case specifics, I can't really comment on their propensity for danger, but obviously we do have a challenge with those who are in the country illegally and who have not been properly vetted.
Conservative
Rhonda Kirkland Conservative Oshawa, ON
I'll just pivot for my last question.
How much time do I have left, Chair?
Conservative
Conservative
Rhonda Kirkland Conservative Oshawa, ON
Perfect. I'll just pivot briefly, because I was made aware that the RCMP recently did a review essentially regarding firearms and recommending that the Government of Canada overhaul the firearm classification system.
I know this is slightly off-topic, but I have a quick question. It's a troubling report, in my opinion, because it feels like it was done in secret. I don't know what consultations were done with regard to that.
I know you weren't prepared to answer questions on that, but if you have anything that you could share with the committee, that would be helpful.
President, National Police Federation
When we start talking about guns, I'm a fan of investing in stopping illegal firearms trafficking versus investing elsewhere.
Conservative
Rhonda Kirkland Conservative Oshawa, ON
Okay. That's good to know.
Do you know the qualifications of the folks in the RCMP who wrote that report?
Conservative
Rhonda Kirkland Conservative Oshawa, ON
You have no idea what's hidden. There are redactions in that report, and quite a lot of them; do you know what that is?
Conservative
Rhonda Kirkland Conservative Oshawa, ON
I have 30 seconds. What else can I ask you?
Can the RCMP confidently tell Canadians that the missing individuals will not reoffend?
You cannot. You've already answered that question.
President, National Police Federation
I can't tell you that any missing individual or anyone who's been released on their own recognizance will not reoffend.
Conservative
Rhonda Kirkland Conservative Oshawa, ON
If you were to pick one breakdown point in the process that could be fixed rather quickly, would you be able to name one?
President, National Police Federation
The RCMP process is actually fairly expedient. From us—
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Frank Caputo
Unfortunately, we will have to pick that up later.
Thank you, Ms. Kirkland.
I now give the floor to Mr. Ehsassi for six minutes.
Liberal
Ali Ehsassi Liberal Willowdale, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Sauvé, for coming back once again. I've always found your testimony to be very helpful, very concise and very well considered.
You made three specific recommendations. Number two, I believe, was about stronger coordination among the CBSA, RCMP and police services.
Could you describe how that coordination is currently taking place and what alternative you had in mind, so we can do a better job of making sure that communication is taking place and it's helpful to police services?