Question Period Note: Human Smuggling

On December 8, 2023 CBC Canada published an article outlining human smuggling operations along the Canada U.S border.

• The border between Canada and the US is the world’s longest undefended border. The RCMP is responsible for enforcement activities between ports of entry.

• Human smuggling is a global problem that requires both domestic and international solutions. The RCMP works closely with its domestic and international partners to gather and share information for the detection and investigation of organized crime groups and networks that are involved in, among other illegal activities, human smuggling.

• I remain confident in the ability of Canadian enforcement agencies to work together to maintain the integrity of the Canada–U.S. border and to enforce Canadian laws, while ensuring the safety of migrants and continuing this country’s long-standing tradition of helping those in need.

Established in 2010, the Migrant Smuggling Prevention Strategy (MSPS) is a whole-of-government strategy, led by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), aimed at preventing and disrupting human smuggling activities and networks targeting Canada. The MSPS was renewed in May 2018 for a period of 5 years, funding expired in 2023. The key modification of the MSPS includes a broadening of the scope to all modes of travel (previously limited to marine-mode only), creating a widening of geographic focus. The renewed strategy also formalized GAC’s role as coordinator for the MSPS, a role that was informally held following the sunset of the PCO office for the Senior Advisor on Human Smuggling.

Broadly, the RCMP is responsible for border security between official Ports of Entry along the border, both on land and in the water. The goal is to prevent, deter, and detect illegal activity that may pose a threat to the safety and security of Canada, the United States, and the international community. The Federal Policing’s Migrant Smuggling Prevention Team (FP-MSPT), is the RCMP’s operational component of the MSPS which focuses on dismantling smuggling networks in Canada and abroad. The FP-MSPT operational strategy includes the disruption of those responsible for planning, organizing, and facilitating the arrival of migrant smuggling by assisting local authorities and dismantling the international criminal networks conducting these operations in Canada and abroad. FP-MSPT currently funds 16 positions including 9 positions overseas and 7 at RCMP HQ in Ottawa. A broad investigation scope allows for prevention and disruption of a variety of criminal activities that support migrant smuggling networks, including credit card fraud, money laundering, trafficking of persons, and drug trafficking.

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