Question Period Note: Enforcement Actions

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• The maintenance of public health and the protection of public safety are priorities for the Government of Canada. Under federal legislation, activities with controlled substances are illegal, unless authorized under regulations or an exemption.
• We are working closely with public safety and criminal justice partners in Canada and internationally to:
o help identify and disrupt the flow of illegal drugs and precursors across our borders;
o identify and address money laundering of the proceeds of illegal drug trafficking; and
o investigate and charge criminal actors suspected in the manufacturing and/or trafficking of illegal drugs.
• Canada is working closely with the United States to disrupt the illegal drug supply, including trafficking, through forums such as the North American Drug Dialogue and the Canada-US Opioids Action Plan.
o Example: Canada and the U.S. performed a joint audit of facilities and detection technology at ports of entry along the Canada-US border to identify existing tools with a view to sharing resources.
o Example: Officers in the Canadian and U.S. Postal systems have conducted joint training in the detection of trafficked substances.
o Example: A joint Canada-U.S. initiative to target and intercept precursor chemicals from source countries. This project focuses on precursor chemicals and clandestine laboratory equipment.
o Example: We have implemented 82 safe examination areas at high-risk ports of entry to help border services officers to identify and safely examine shipments suspected to contain opioids.
• We have taken regulatory action to give law enforcement tools to take action against the illegal importation and sale of precursor chemicals used to make synthetic drugs like fentanyl.
• Those who conduct prohibited activities with controlled substances, such as trafficking or diversion, are subject to criminal penalties. Specific questions about enforcement operations would best be directed to my colleague, the Minister of Public Safety.

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