Fisheries committee  We get extensive training on the enforcement of Criminal Code offences and other statutes that we have mandate over. I'll try to go fairly quickly, with the committee's indulgence. It starts in depot, in our training academy. We get six months initially, followed by six months of field training, and then followed by in-service training throughout our careers.

Fisheries committee  Yes, they are.

Fisheries committee  There was a question asked about assertions made around the RCMP response to trespassing complaints. There wasn't a question about the number of arrests. However, I can say, as I mentioned earlier, that we researched our database. We've had six complaints of trespassing related to the elver fishery since January 2023.

Fisheries committee  “Follow up” could mean anything from taking the call, getting all the information possible from the person who is making the complaint and determining.... For instance, in the case of trespassing—I'm just going to give an example—if the persons are gone, then we're not going to attend, because they're gone.

Fisheries committee  One of the RCMP's national priorities is organized crime, but unfortunately, I can't speak to specific ongoing investigations. Organized crime entities are involved in many commodities. I'll leave it at that. We take complaints seriously and follow up on any that fall within our mandate.

Fisheries committee  We meet regularly with DFO enforcement officials—C and P—on the elver issue to share information that's related to our mandates, if we hear of any information that might assist them or vice versa. We share regularly and try to stay on top of things as they evolve, if that answers your question.

Fisheries committee  No, they have not.

Fisheries committee  I'm sorry. The first part of your question dropped.

Fisheries committee  Exactly. We operate independently of any political interests.

Fisheries committee  I'm not aware of the documents you're sharing with us today.

Fisheries committee  Was that in Nova Scotia?

Fisheries committee  I have no background on it, so I can't answer why the comments were made in that email.

Fisheries committee  No, there was not such a directive.

Fisheries committee  Thank you for your question. It's important to note, as I stated in my opening remarks, that it's about mandate. The RCMP's mandate is focused on public safety and the enforcement of Criminal Code offences. With regard to harvesting, conservation and protection of Canada's freshwater and green fisheries, that falls to the mandate of DFO.

Fisheries committee  I don't think I can project the future state. Our agency doesn't have a direct mandate with the Fisheries Act. We're focused on Criminal Code offences. I assume the question could be answered by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, in terms of their risk assessments surrounding this decision.