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Four Corners Meeting (Opioids)

Talking Points
What we are currently doingfrom a law enforcement perspective:

MOU with China

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canada Border
Services Agency (CBSA) have begun building relations with law
enforcement counterparts in China, including the Chinese Ministry of Public
Security, in an effort to strengthen collaboration to combat criminal
activities with the goal of disrupting international drug trafficking networks.

On November 24 th
2016, the RCMP and Chinese Ministry of Public
Security announced their commitment to work together to coordinate
enforcement efforts against illegal trafficking of fentanyl into Canada,
including interest to formalize joint investigations between the RC]VIP and
China.
This response was bolstered by a Memorandum of Understanding between
the Minister of Public Safety and the Chinese Ministry of Public Security to
enhance cooperative crime-fighting efforts between the two countries, which
will help strengthen efforts to increase cooperation on the issue of fentanyl.

As confirmed in a call that took place with US Officials in December 2016,

the US recognizes the positive contribution that China has made to world
health and safety by controlling over 100 substances whose manufacture and
distribution is not addressed by the UN Conventions.

In 2015, China introduced laws to expedite scheduling of new synthetic

substances and is working in partnership with the US on data collection that
will bolster Chinas case to quickly ban these substances from production.
As Chinese officials were recently in Canada (December 2016), a possible
next step could be a coordinated visit to China with the RCMP, CBSA,
British Columbia officials, to discuss the various fentanyl/opioid and other
synthetic drugs.

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North American Drug Policy Dialogue

Canada is engaging in trilateral discussions with the United States and

Mexico on the opioid crisis through the new North American Drug Policy
Dialogue.

Public Safety Canada led the Canadian delegation, which included officials
from Health and Justice Canada, at the inaugural meeting held in October
2016.

The result of the dialogue was the identification of best practices to combat
the opioid problem and approaches to gather and share data to enhance
cooperation.

The next meeting of the three countries is planned for as early as the first
quarter of 2017, in Mexico.

The proposed Canadian actions for this forum include, (1) information
sharing on research proposals, methodology and results about the level of
drug use in each country; (2) sharing of results and methodologies for
analyzing and reporting on heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine profiles,
including workshops with scientific and technical experts to strengthen
Mexican technical capacities particularly through training; and (3) sharing of
evidence-based best practices and policies related to reducing opioid harms,
to conduct expert-level best practice workshops on supply and demand
reduction.

Frontline Preparedness

The level of preparedness among frontline police and border officers to

address supply issues and safety precautions around fentanyl and other
opioids is increasing.
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The CBSA has made specific modifications to its enforcement databases to

enhance the Agencys ability to track and report on seizures of fentanyl and
related substances.

To ensure the safe handling of goods when suspected fentanyl or fentanyl

analogues are encountered at the border, the CBSA has developed and
distributed safety guidelines for frontline personnel.

Similarly, the RCMP has equipped frontline officers with naloxone kits to
respond effectively to accidental opioid exposure and overdoses.

In July. 2016, British Columbia Premier Christy Clark appointed a Joint

Task Force on Overdose Response. As part of the response, local law
enforcement is working at all levels of government to interdict the supply of
illicit drugs, and health officials are working to address the immediate and
longer-tenn health needs.

Domestic Mail

In August 2015, the CACP passed Resolution #08-20 15: Amendments to the
Canada Post Corporation Act, which requests that the Government of
Canada amend the Canada Post Corporation Act to clarif,r that police can
obtain judicial authorization to seize, detain, or retain parcels or letters while
they are in the course of mail under Canada Post control. This resolution is
supported by law enforcement across the country and the RCMP. (See
RCMP Paper Attached)

The issue of drugs in the mail extends beyond opioids/fentanyl coming into
the country illegally and finding its way into the domestic mail. Organized
crime groups are and will continue to exploit the legislative gaps in the
domestic mail system.

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With the legalization of cannabis, the need to strengthen controls to expand

the authorities of the police to obtain judicial authority to search mail in the
course of post. These changes would support efforts to restrict access to
children and youth, and others not legally permitted to possess and consume
the drug by sending cannabis through the mail.

Who is involved?

We have had several DG level calls with PS, CBSA, RCMP and PSPC officials.
PCO participated on the last DG call.

What are we considering?

Currently, there is no statutory police authority to seize, detain and search
packages in the, course of the domestic post using Canada Post (CP).

The consensus among portfolio partners including PS is that legislative change

is an effective way to address the issues that the CPCA presents for police to
address contraband in the domestic CP mail system.

The primary concern for police is that the CPCA prevents the exercise of search
or seizure powers under the Criminal Code of Canada, Controlled Drugs and
Substance Act, Copyright Act or Trade-marks Act. Specifically, section 40 (3)
could be amended to permit the police to get a warrant under the Criminal Code
or other relevant legislation to search CP mail in the course of post based on
reasonable and probable grounds.

Obstacles and Challenges

The challenge is determining the right channel at CP to engage and the
appropriate level to do this (director, DG or ADM) given the sensitivities.

There is also a pressing timeframe to resolve this issue. Also there is a longer
term operational review taking place internally CP that will need to be
considered.

Timing
Timing to engage CP is being contemplated for February.

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Next Steps

Bill C-37

Proposed amendments to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, through

the tabling of Bill C-37, will further assist law enforcement and border
officers in addressing the opioid crisis.

Under Bill C-37 regulatory mechanisms would be applied to better restrict

pill presses and other designated devices used in the manufacturing of illegal
pills containing opioids, including fentanyl.
The Bill also proposes to remove the 30 gram or less mail exception from
the Customs Act, granting border officers the authority to open international
mail of any weight, should they have reasonable grounds to suspect the item
may contain prohibited, controlled or regulated goods.

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