Canada Outlines Collaborative Measures Against Organized Crime and Terrorism

Photo: Ottawa

The Honorable Rob Nicholson, minister of justice and attorney general of Canada and the Honorable Stockwell Day, minister of public safety, joined their G8 counterparts in Tokyo, in renewing their commitment to work together to fight transnational organized crime and terrorism. The key topics discussed included: counter measures against drug crimes, counter terrorism, the fight against the sexual exploitation of children, identity-related crime and building capacity to create a fair and functioning rule of law.

"Given the close international cooperation fostered at this meeting, I am confident that Canada will be able to make greater progress on issues of longstanding shared concern such as the illegal drug trade and the sexual exploitation of children, including child pornography on the Internet," said Minister Nicholson. "I was also pleased to have an opportunity to discuss the emerging global phenomena of identity-related crime with my G8 counterparts, as it is an issue of significant concern to Canadians.

"The issues discussed with our G8 colleagues are key to our government's commitment to the protection of our citizens," said Minister Day. "International cooperation is ever more important in the global fight against crime and terrorism and we are committed to reinforcing our strong partnership with our allies to address pressing global threats to safety and security." Ministers Nicholson and Day also shared with their G8 counterparts Canada's progress and achievements aimed at tackling crime. In the past year, Canada has:

• Passed the Tackling Violent Crime Act which cracks down on gun criminals, dangerous offenders, impaired drivers and sexual predators targeting our youth.
• Passed legislation to increase penalties for those convicted of street racing.
• Passed legislation to end conditional sentences (house arrest) for serious personal injury and violent offences, including sexual assault.
• Introduced a National Anti-Drug Strategy, including legislation that would provide mandatory jail time for serious drug crimes.
• Introduced legislation to address property theft, including the serious crime of auto theft, often associated with organized crime.
• Introduced legislation to strengthen the Youth Criminal Justice Act and announced a review of this Act in 2008.
• Introduced legislation to protect Canadians against identity theft.
• Invested in crime prevention community projects across Canada that targets those most at-risk.
• Increased capacity in emergency management.
• Enhanced security at the border by arming our border officers and hiring 400 new officers.
• Added more police in the streets.
• Made the federal government's largest investment ever to a national charitable organization, which helps to protect children from online sexual predators.