Statement from Ministers Goodale and Wilson-Raybould at the Conclusion of the National Security Consultation

Ottawa, December 16, 2016

“Over three months ago, we launched a broad public consultation on national security.  We asked Canadians to send us their views on how the Government can best keep Canadians safe and at the same time safeguard our rights and freedoms.

This consultation was guided by the principle that every Canadian should be able to have a say on these important issues.

Canadians heeded our call for feedback. At roundtables, town halls and through our online consultation and digital engagement events, we heard from thousands of engaged citizens, community leaders, experts, academics, officers of Parliament, government officials at various levels, NGOs, and international allies, among others.

We are very pleased with the wealth of views and ideas that were provided, and we want to thank everyone who participated. We would also like to thank the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security and the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics for studying the issues under consideration in the consultation.

The Government will be transparent in informing Canadians about what we have heard. A public report that summarizes the input will be released in the new year. Summaries from our public town halls will remain available at Canada.ca/national-security-consultation, and we are in the process of making the online and email submissions accessible to all Canadians through the Open Government portal.  . 

As we move forward, Canadians can be assured their views will help inform the important decisions the Government will make to confront new threats and challenges in the years ahead while at the same time safeguarding Canadians’ Charter rights in a free and democratic society.”

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For more information, please visit the website www.publicsafety.gc.ca.

Information:

Scott Bardsley
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-998-5681

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
(613) 991-0657