SECU Committee Report

Government Response to the Second Report of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security

Review of the Witness Protection Program

Mr. Garry Breitkreuz, M.P.
Chair
Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
Justice Building
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A OA6

Dear Mr. Breitkreuz:

I am pleased to table the Government’s Response to the Second Report of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security: Review of the Witness Protection Program in accordance with Standing Order 109 of the House of Commons.

The Government of Canada commends the Committee for preparing a comprehensive report on the complex issues related to the current Witness Protection Program. The Government of Canada supports the broad direction of the Public Safety and National Security Committee’s recommendations to help make the program more accessible, effective and transparent.  In Canada, as in many other countries around the world, an effective and reliable witness protection program has proven its value in the fight against crime, especially organized crime and terrorism.  High profile informants and key witnesses are more willing to testify knowing that a program is available to protect them against intimidation and retaliation. 

The Government believes that effective protection for witnesses should take into consideration several factors, such as the benefit of an integrated program, with consistent and standardized policies and practices, which may help to ensure that Canada continues to offer the most effective protection of witnesses.  As well, witness protection programs should be able to respond to a continuum of need, based on the gravity of the crime and the related danger to the witness.

The Committee has identified important issues with respect to the existing Witness Protection Program, and the appropriate time must be devoted to studying best practices and lessons learned by our international partners so that we may develop, along with our federal, provincial and territorial partners, the best possible program for Canada.  Consultations with our partners are currently underway and the Committee’s recommendations will certainly help guide further discussions and inform future enhancements to the Program.

The Government agrees with the Committee, that a distinction should exist between investigative and prosecution functions. While this does not preclude retaining the administration of the Program within the RCMP, the Government will conduct further analysis with respect to the most appropriate mechanism to achieve this. The Committee also recommends that psychological assessments be offered to protectees and family members prior to admission to the Witness Protection Program and the Government notes that this is now an element of the selection process for protectees, and that these services are also made available to individuals while in the Program. In addition, the annual report on Witness Protection has been modified and enhanced to provide Canadians with a more precise picture of the Program.

The Government is committed to giving the Committee’s recommendations full and proper consideration before any further action on major reforms is taken.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and the other members of the Committee for your excellent work in carefully reviewing the Witness Protection Program, and providing constructive recommendations aimed at improving this Program.  The Government of Canada remains committed to setting a path ahead to ensure a responsive and effective witness protection regime in Canada.  

Yours sincerely,

Stockwell Day, P.C., M.P.

Minister of Public Safety