Justice committee  I did mention it briefly. I hate to say it, but I don't know if I have a great deal of expertise on the cost of shutting them down. I don't know if somebody else wants to take it. I can say something, but it's probably not the most authoritative response. If nobody else wants to, I will.

Justice committee  No. Beyond that, there's not much I can say other than to mention the fact that in the areas where they're coming across, the porous areas of the ports, I think there's an unknown element to it. It's hard to speak exactly to what extent it is happening, but certainly there's no question that it's happening, by both means.

Justice committee  I'm aware of two current investigations that involve corruption. I suspect one of them is the same one that Chief Hanson was making reference to. I also know of incidents of corruption at a lower level, where a detachment clerk, for example, was inappropriately manipulated for the purpose of gaining intelligence.

Justice committee  On a day-to-day basis, we in the intelligence community see exactly what Chief Boyd is speaking to; I would like to confirm that it's exactly the case. But to add to that, yes, we do see the traditional organized crime groups. It's just that how they interrelate with other organized crime groups is evolving.

Justice committee  Oh, absolutely. Not only do they have contact, but very often the organized crime groups expand across the country. So certainly, there's leadership outside of the province in some cases.

Justice committee  I have the red light, so that's great. I was wondering when I was going to get a chance.

Justice committee  Thank you. In Alberta there's a great deal of exchange of intelligence, but we are challenged by technology. We are hoping the new API system that Mr. Gibson spoke to is going to help solve that problem. We utilize ACIIS, the national crime data bank, and various other processes to do that.

Justice committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. I am the officer responsible for the RCMP criminal intelligence program in the province of Alberta. Alberta's organized crime landscape has changed rapidly in the last 10 years, in part due to our prosperous economy. The economy has also resulted in a population influx from across Canada and around the globe.