Tag: public safety canada

Intelligence Officials Previously Warned Ottawa About TikTok’s Data-Harvesting Methods: Report

The federal government was allegedly warned by a Canadian intelligence official that the Beijing-linked video-sharing app TikTok was misleading governments and the general public about its data-harvesting methods nearly half a year before Ottawa banned the app from all federal devices, according to an internal briefing note. A document prepared for the government in September…


CSIS Memo on Beijing Targeting of MPs Was Sent to Wrong Office, Says Blair

Former public safety minister Bill Blair says that a secret memo prepared by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) to inform the federal government of Beijing’s targeting of Conservative MP Michael Chong never reached him at the time because it was sent to the wrong office. “Just to be very clear, CSIS did not brief me…


Poilievre Calls for Mendicino to Resign Over Revelations on Bernardo Prison Transfer

Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre is calling on Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino to resign in light of revelations that his office was aware of Paul Bernardo’s transfer to a medium-security prison months ago. “He’s lied about his knowledge and role in moving Paul Bernardo from a maximum security penitentiary to a medium security penitentiary,”…


Feds Enter New Deal With Gun Group in Step Toward Firearms Buyback Program: Mendicino

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino says a new agreement the government has entered into with an association that represents Canada’s hunting and sport-shooting industry is a “significant milestone” in Ottawa’s move to implement a buyback program for restricted guns. Mendicino told reporters in Ottawa on April 26 that the new agreement with the Canadian Sporting Arms…


Feds Moving Forward on Creating Agency to Tackle Financial Crimes Such as Money Laundering, Fraud

The federal government is moving forward with a plan to tackle financial crime by calling for consultants to assist with creating a Financial Crimes Agency, which the Liberals first promised in their 2021 election campaign platform. “The Department of Public Safety has a requirement for a contractor to conduct research, analysis and undertake key stakeholder…


‘Significant Increase’ in Drug-Impaired Drivers Across Canada Since Cannabis Legalization: Federal Study

There has been a “significant increase” in the number of people driving under the influence of marijuana since Parliament legalized recreational cannabis use in 2018, according to a study by a federal department. “Compared to data from previous surveys, there has been a significant reduction in the prevalence of alcohol use among drivers, but a…


33% of Canada’s Cannabis Market Controlled by Illegal Dealers, Says Federal Memo

About one-third of Canada’s cannabis market is still controlled by illegal dealers despite the federal government legalizing its recreational use in 2018, according to a report. “One of the main goals of legalization of cannabis was to reduce criminal activity by keeping profits out of the pockets of criminals. The illicit drug trade provides organized crime with…


Ottawa Allocating Over $3 Million to Ontario City for Initiative Aimed at Curbing Gun Crime

The federal government is giving over $3 million to the city of London, Ont., for an initiative aimed at curbing rising gun crime in the area, says the Department of Public Safety. “Investments in grassroots efforts in London are essential to addressing the social conditions that lead youth and young adults to get involved in…


Organized Crime Suspected of Operating Within Public Sector: Federal Memo

A federal department briefing note says that organized crime is suspected to be operating in the public sector, although the specific federal offices that are allegedly involved went unnamed. “It is also suspected that organized crime groups are also involved in areas of the public sector,” said the memo from the Department of Public Safety, titled…


Foreign Powers Using ‘High Profile’ Individuals to Influence Federal Officials: Government Document

High-profile Canadians may be receiving payment from foreign countries in exchange for advancing their political interests, according to a question period briefing note from the Department of Public Safety. The document has been made public amidst increased scrutiny on China’s interference efforts in Canada. The note, titled “Foreign Interference” and dated Jan. 19, says foreign…