ARCHIVED - Health Canada

Horizontal Initiative

1. Name of Horizontal Initiative:
Canada's Drug Strategy

2. Name of Lead Department:
Health Canada

3. Start Date of the Horizontal Initiative:
CDS started in 1987
CDS renewed in 2003-2004[1]

4. End Date of the Horizontal Initiative:
Ongoing

5. Total Federal Funding Allocation:
$ 1,568.20 M [2]

6. Description of the Horizontal Initiative:

Canada's Drug Strategy (CDS) was first introduced in 1987 to address substance use and abuse issues through coordinated activities by various federal departments, governments and non-governmental organizations. In 1992, following some initial successes in the areas of prevention and treatment, Phase II was launched with an emphasis on Driving While Impaired.  During Phase II of the CDS, changing government priorities resulted in less than half of the funding being applied to the Strategy making it difficult to fully address complex issues related to both supply and demand reduction.

CDS Renewed (approved by Cabinet in May 2003) is a comprehensive inter-departmental initiative to coordinate and enhance substance abuse programs, knowledge and partnerships in prevention, treatment, harm reduction and enforcement. For more information, please refer to http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/activit/strateg/drugs-drogues/index_e.html.[3]

Budget 2007 announced the establishment of a National Anti-Drug Strategy (NADS) that will focus on prevention, treatment and enforcement activities. Future reporting will be based on these focus areas.  

7. Shared Outcome(s):

Improved Leadership - Setting directions and creating environments that support local action and national action integrally linked to nationally defined objectives and priorities;

Enhanced knowledge generation and management - Providing strengthened capacity to improve evidence-based policy and decision making by promoting leading-edge research, statistical monitoring of drug trends and evaluation of program effectiveness;

Enhanced partnerships and interventions - Discouraging substance abuse, targeting illegal conduct that threatens the safety and security of Canadians, and assisting those at risk from the effects of drugs by supporting partnerships and programs that focus on prevention, harm reduction, treatment and enforcement activities;

Improved modernization of relevant legislation and drug policies - Ensuring that legal and policy approaches underpinning CDS are coherent with and support the Strategy, by reviewing legislation and regulations for responsiveness to current requirements.

8. Governance Structure(s):[4]

Health Canada (HC)

Health Canada is the federal lead for CDS. The Minister of Health is responsible for coordination across federal departments.  Health Canada also partners with provinces and territories to provide national leadership and coordination, manages programs that reduce and prevent harm associated with controlled substances and participates in international fora in support of health-related supply and demand reduction activities.

An Assistant Deputy Minister Interdepartmental Steering Committee is chaired by Health Canada.  Working groups focusing on Communications, Research and Surveillance, Evaluation and Risk Management and Emerging Issues have been established to support decision making by the ADM Steering Committee and Health Canada provides a Secretariat to support these structures.

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

The Public Health Agency of Canada, through its Centre for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (CIDPC) and its Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder team, is responsible for conducting and disseminating  research and surveillance information on public health indicators and illness related to substance use/abuse and injection drug use, as well as on the linkages between alcohol use during pregnancy and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

Department of Public Safety Canada (PS)[5]

The Department of Public Safety Canada is responsible for: a) coordinating the Public Safety Portfolio's drug control policies and initiatives to ensure that they are consistent with and complementary to the broader goals and objectives of CDS; and b) providing strategic advice to the Minister in fulfilment of the Minister's policy leadership role in policing and corrections. The Department also participates in international fora in support of law enforcement-related supply and demand reduction activities.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

The RCMP offers a balanced approach addressing both supply and demand issues. RCMP officers investigate illegal drug activities and organized crime groups.  They disrupt criminal activities and networks related to the supply of illicit drugs.   They also deliver a number of drug awareness and prevention programs targeted at youth, Aboriginal communities, drug endangered children and parents. Additionally, they coordinate specialized training of police officers in Drug Recognition Expertise to detect drug impaired driving.

Correctional Service Canada (CSC)

CSC provides substance abuse treatment programs to federal offenders with substance abuse problems and controls the supply of illicit drugs in correctional facilities through various security measures.  In addition, the Addictions Research Centre of CSC conducts research on substance abuse issues of importance to federal corrections and develops programs to address the substance abuse needs of offenders.

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)

The CBSA contributes to reducing the supply of controlled substances and illegal drugs through their detection and interception at Canadian ports/borders of entry.

Department of Justice (DOJ)

The Programs Branch of the Department of Justice, in collaboration with the Office of Demand Reduction of Health Canada, administers funding and monitors implementation and evaluation of the six federally-funded drug treatment courts. These courts are alternatives to traditional prosecution that integrate both criminal justice and drug treatment responses. The Federal Prosecution Service of the Department of Justice prosecutes drug cases.  Drug cases comprise a significant part of the Prosecution's workload.[6]

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT)

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada represents Canada, in cooperation and coordination with other interested CDS partners, on the international aspects of CDS. The Department and its network of overseas embassies and consulates, covers major international meetings (United Nations, G-8, international regional organizations), represents Canada at international processes (Dublin Group, Paris Pact, transnational organized crime instruments), as well as advocacy, diplomatic and technical assistance activities with bilateral partners.  The Department manages Canada's umbrella contribution agreements to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Organization of American States' Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD), and other drug cooperation projects under the Public Safety Envelope of its Human Security Program.

9. Federal Partners Involved in each Program

10. Names of Programs

11. Total Allocation

12. Forecasted Spending for 2006‑07

13. Actual Spending in 2006‑07

Health Canada

Promotion / Prevention and Public and Professional

$ 14.83 M

$ 5.85 M

$ 5.85 M

Planned Results for 2006-2007:

• Increased awareness of the nature, extent and consequences of substance use/abuse within the school, workplace and Aboriginal communities and among youth, professionals and the general public.
• Improved skills/competencies in the delivery of programs.

Achieved Results for 2006-2007:

Prevention activities under CDS include measures to educate people about the dangers of drug abuse and help them adopt healthy behaviours. 

1. Increased awareness of the nature, extent and consequences of substance use/abuse within the school,    workplace and Aboriginal communities and among youth, professionals and the general public.
   • Number and nature of requests for information – Over 100,000 requests for information were registered by Health Canada.  This number is down from last year. In addition, the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) received approximately 2,500 requests for information, a similar number of requests as last year.  Correspondence and briefing notes prepared among CDS partners indicate that topics of particular interest were: harm reduction, costs of substance abuse, policy and legislation, public and professional resources, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, supervised injection sites and marihuana for medical purposes. 
   • Number and nature of website hits – There were 92,355 hits to the CDS website with 21,437 unique visitors, compared to 20,395 visits in the previous year[7].  Top visited pages included the National Framework for Action, Partners and the National Research Agenda.  There were also 209,196 hits to the National Framework website and 417,042 web sessions on the Be Drug Wise website.  The website sessions for Be Drug Wise represent an increase from 198,343 or 110% from last year.  In addition, the total number of hits to the CCSA website was 566,431, up from 516,160 in 2005-06.  Top visited pages at the CCSA website were the Splash Page, news, and Legal Drinking Age by Province. The top downloaded files were: The Costs of Substance Abuse in Canada: Highlights, 2004; and Highlights, Crack Cocaine Fact Sheet.
   • CDS 101 Session – Health Canada hosted the first CDS 101 session with 40 participants from all CDS partners to enhance their knowledge of the activities/work of CDS. This provided an opportunity to raise awareness of drug use and abuse-related matters as well as to share lessons learned and best practices in effective drug-related program management.
   • Focus on Youth – The RCMP engaged in prevention initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of the nature, extent and consequences of substance use/abuse.  The Drug Endangered Children Program (DEC), which is intended to help reduce traumatic impacts for children affected by their parents' drug activities, was accepted by agencies and communities where the DEC concepts were introduced and resulted in enactment of the Drug Endangered Children Act in Alberta.  The DEC approach has also been recognized as a valuable approach within the United States, including Colorado and California, and has been presented to the Government of Mexico.  The RCMP also worked on refocusing the Drugs and Sports program in order to give coaches and trainers the tools and knowledge to deliver the program themselves, rather than being dependent on police officers. The revamped program will be available in 2007.   In addition, the D.A.R.E. program was implemented in over 1,600 schools encompassing 175 school districts and reached over 65,000 students, an increase of 5,000 students from last year. Similarly, the P.A.R.T.Y program was delivered to more than 1,100 high school students in New Brunswick and 1,500 in British Columbia and the Racing Against Drugs Program was delivered in over 626 Ontario schools to more than 2,900 grade 5/6 students. 
2. Improved skills/competencies in the delivery of programs.
   • Training in the Area of Prevention and Treatment – In summer 2006, CCSA hosted its 4^th and largest National Summer Institute on Addictions, training approximately 100 professionals working in  substance abuse and mental health fields on improving treatment outcomes.  Sixty-seven percent of respondents to a follow-up survey said that attending the conference provided them with tools and/or resources to help them reach out to and partner with organizations.  The RCMP continued to enhance the capacity of police officers and community partners to develop and implement community-based programs/initiatives through its Drug Awareness Officer Training (DAOT).  Two DAOT sessions were held in Vancouver and one in Edmonton, Regina, and St. John's to reach 130 candidates, doubling the number trained last year.  Course critiques and evaluations indicated that the training was successful in providing junior awareness officers with the tools required to adequately deliver information and presentations on drugs as part of their daily operations. In addition, the RCMP trained 161 D.A.R.E. officers and 24 community facilitators from eight Aboriginal communities were trained in the revised Aboriginal Shield Program that now reflects all Aboriginal cultures, instead of focusing on the Cree culture, and can easily be adapted to deal with specific issues in different communities.  Drugs and Organized Crime Awareness Services (DOCAS) coordinators worked on a youth mobilization project at Cegep de l'Outaouais to provide training and support to 180 students taking a full semester on drugs and dependence.  The project was integrated within the curriculum and helped turn the students into prevention ambassadors.  Students developed drug prevention tools and messages aimed at 12 to 17 year olds that promoted reflection and assets development.  The study related to the uptake survey of selected Health Canada best practices will be completed by September 2007.
   • Training in the Area of Enforcement – The Drug Analysis Service (DAS) of Health Canada provided  50 lectures and training sessions on precursor control, clandestine labs, expert witness testimony and clandestine lab hazards to law enforcement, Justice Department, judges and industry personnel.  DAS also distributed 112 drug dog-training kits for law enforcement, an increase from the 86 kits distributed last year.  The Office of Controlled Substances in Health Canada also offered 52 person-days of classroom training for new inspectors plus mentoring by experienced inspectors. The RCMP hosted First Responders training in Toronto and Thunder Bay to provide paramedics, fire fighters and front- line police officers with information on the latest trends and safety issues related to chemical drugs, marihuana grow operations (MGOs) and clandestine labs. A National Chemical Diversion Conference was held in Stratford, Ontario, targeted at educating members of the chemical industry and law enforcement partners involved in Chemical Diversion investigations
   • Training in the Area of Work Force Development – In 2004-05, the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) received $5.3 million over five years to enhance the capacity and skill level of the National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP) addictions workers with the goal of 66% work force certification by 2007-08.  At present, 57% of workers are engaged in the certification process or have obtained Level 1 certification or educational equivalent.  In addition, CCSA's National Advisory Group on Work Force Development developed a discussion paper to chart a strategy and initiated a ‘model' treatment continuum reflecting what is known about the type and scope of services best suited to different client populations. 

Health Canada

Treatment and Rehabilitation Programs / Activities

$ 347.20 M[8]

$ 87.10 M

$85.3 M[9]

Planned Results for 2006-2007:

• Enhanced access and motivation to participate in treatment for substance abuse.
• Reduction in risk behaviours/decisions and overall assessed substance abuse treatment needs.

Achieved Results for 2006-2007:

Treatment-related activities under CDS focus primarily on provision of treatment programs and services to targeted populations such as offenders, women and youth, and First Nations communities.

1. Enhanced access and motivation to participate in treatment for substance abuse.
   • Offenders in Federal Institutions – A total of 3,858 offenders enrolled in substance abuse treatment programs in federal institutions.  This represented an increase of about 22% from the previous year.  Approximately 79% of the participants completed[11] the programs, similar to last year. The largest number of enrolments was for the National Substance Abuse Moderate Intensity Program (49%), and the National Substance Abuse Maintenance Program (19%). 
   • Offenders in Community Substance Abuse Programs – A total of 1,821 offenders enrolled in substance abuse programs in the community.  This represented a decrease of approximately 17% from last year.  This decrease is largely due to the replacement of the National Substance Abuse Maintenance Program with the Community Maintenance Program, which is not coded as a substance abuse program, the deletion of the Choices Program and the use of contracted programs, such as residential treatment centres and one-to-one counselling services. Overall, approximately 82% of  participants completed the programs.  The largest number of enrolments were for the National Substance Abuse Maintenance Program and the National Substance Abuse Low Intensity Program. 
   • Women and Youth – Health Canada's Alcohol and Drug Treatment Rehabilitation Program (ADTR) provided $13.2 million in cost-shared funding to the provinces for provision of treatment and rehabilitation services for youth and women or for general public programs that can accommodate youth and women. The primary focus of ADTR was on working with provinces and territories on reorientation of the program and on establishing new priorities and objectives, including development of a performance measurement and evaluation framework. As part of this process, the ADTR completed several studies, including an environmental scan of provincial performance measurement in an effort to enhance reporting of treatment impacts.  This study found that reporting practices vary across jurisdictions, mainly due to variations in reporting capacity as well as gaps with respect to strategies, infrastructure, data management, collection, and reporting.  As a result of the review, it was decided that the reoriented ADTR program will focus on investing in three main areas: implementation of evidence-informed practices, strengthening evaluation and performance measurement and linkage and exchange. 
   • Drug Treatment Courts (DTC) – All six federally-funded DTC were fully operational and two non-federally funded Drug Treatment Court models entered the early implementation stages.  The four newer sites (Ottawa, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Regina) maintained a base of approximately 15 clients with over 50 applications reviewed at each site, whereas the two established sites (Toronto and Vancouver) maintained a base of 50-60 clients with over 100 applicants reviewed at each site. 
   • First Nations and Inuit Youth, Adults and Families – The First Nations and Inuit Health Branch's (FNIHB) National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP) continued to support prevention and treatment programs in First Nations and Inuit communities. This included a network of 50 treatment centres, two less than last year, with approximately 700 inpatient beds. NNADAP also supported nearly 600 community-based programs, delivered by trained prevention and promotion workers. 
     
2. Reduction in risk behaviours/decisions and overall assessed substance abuse treatment needs. Work on development and validation of a generic evaluation framework for treatment programs continued.  Findings will be used to enhance ability to report on this planned result in future years.
   • Injection Drug Users (IDU) – The most recent data from PHAC, indicated a downward trend of some risk behaviours related to IDUs.  Data reports that 57.6% of male and 63.5% of female IDUs never used a condom with a regular sexual partner compared to 59% and 69.8% respectively in 2002-03, a 2.5% and 9.9% decrease. Among sex trade clients, 11.4% of males and 5.7% of female IDUs reported never using a condom in the most recent data. In 2002-03, these numbers were 28.2% for males and 0% for females.  Additionally, there was a 46% reduction (26.8% to 14.5%) in the number of IDUs who reported sharing needles/syringes.
   • Drug Treatment Courts – The DTCs have not been in operation long enough to assess this result. However, Justice and Health Canada worked on a centralized performance measurement information system that will aid in ongoing monitoring and development of these courts. This will permit collection of information on client retention, compliance, and treatment progress as well as utilization of community services and supports.
   • Computerized Assessment of Substance Abuse (CASA) – In 2006, CSC published a report on the audio-enhanced CASA system that was developed in 2001 to establish substance-abuse severity levels and match offender needs to the appropriate level of substance abuse treatment.  Results from research on the CASA demonstrated that offenders with the highest levels of substance abuse are  most likely to commit new offences and to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of their offence.  These results demonstrate the importance of providing the most intensive treatment to highest risk offenders.  The CASA assessments ensure that offenders receive the appropriate level of treatment for their needs thereby ensuring the efficient and effective use of treatment resources.  Information from the CASA also provides managers with increased knowledge of the drug and alcohol use patterns of offenders entering the correctional system to assist in the planning of future treatment needs.  The CASA will continue to be the primary tool of assessing offender substance abuse programming needs, and assist CSC in making accurate program referrals. Additionally, offender data collected through the course of the CASA interviews provided invaluable information on offender needs and profiles.

Health Canada

Research and Surveillance Programs / Activities

$ 42.46 M

$ 11.04 M[12]

$ 9.63 M[13]

Planned Results for 2006-2007:

• Increased knowledge and understanding of emerging trends and related consequences in the area of substance abuse and what works in preventing and treating substance use/abuse.
• More evidence-based responses to substance use/abuse.

Achieved Results for 2006-2007:

CDS invests in the generation of new knowledge and improved knowledge management to enhance capacity to address existing and emerging substance abuse/use trends by contributing to the development and sharing of knowledge on more evidence-based approaches to substance abuse.

1. Increased knowledge and understanding of emerging trends and related consequences in the area of substance abuse and what works in preventing and treating substance use/abuse.
   • Prevalence of Substance Use/Abuse in Canada – The Canadian Addictions Survey (CAS) data from 2004 is the most recent from a general population survey regarding prevalence of substance use/abuse. The Office of Research and Surveillance (ORS) within Health Canada used this data to produce three reports on surveillance trends related to substance use/abuse – Public Opinion, Attitudes and Knowledge, Youth and Gender.  Report findings include: Canadians felt that existing efforts to address alcohol and other drug use and associated harms are not enough; alcohol was the psychoactive substance most commonly used by Canadian youth, with 90.8% of youth having used alcohol and 82.9% having used alcohol in the past 12 months; 61.4% of youth have used cannabis  and 27% have used it at least once in the past 12 months. Of youth who used alcohol in the past year, 20.9% reported driving under the influence of alcohol during the past 12 months while among youth who used cannabis in the past year, 39.8% reported driving under the influence of cannabis during the past 12 months.  The lifetime and past-year prevalence of cannabis use was greater among men than women: 50.1% of men had tried cannabis and 18.2% had used it in the past year while 39.2% of women had tried cannabis and 10.2% had used it in the past year. An ongoing approach to monitoring provides a better basis for tracking trends, identifying seasonal variations, adding new or cyclic questions and for better financial management than cyclical surveys, such as the CAS.  An ongoing monitoring survey, the Canadian Alcohol and Drug Use Monitoring Survey (CADUMS), will therefore be implemented. Part of the mandate of the National Surveillance Advisory Committee, which was created by ORS in 2005, is to advise the different elements of CADUMS.  In addition, an expert working group was created in fall 2006 for development of the questionnaire which is nearing completion.  It is anticipated that data will begin to be collected in fall 2007.  CCSA also analyzed CAS data and produced a number of reports.  One report compared the perceived seriousness and actual costs of substance abuse and concluded that public perceptions of the relative seriousness of substance abuse programs are incongruent with the actual costs they impose on society.  In particular, the public tended to amplify the seriousness of illicit drugs while diminishing the seriousness of problems associated with alcohol.
   • Surveillance of Canadian Street Youth – In 2006, a report on the findings from PHAC's enhanced surveillance of Canadian Street Youth was released.  Findings of this report and sub-reports were made available through PHAC's website (http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/sti-its-surv-epi/youth-jeunes_e.html), and the Canadian Hepatitis C Information Centre.  This study found that street youth are 11 times more likely to die of drug overdose and suicide than youth in the general population. Approximately 40% of street youth reported recent alcohol intoxication with less than 10% reporting drinking every day.  However 95% reported having used non-injection drugs (marihuana, crack/cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and ecstasy) and 20% used injection drugs (cocaine, heroin, morphine and speedball).
   • Injection Drug Use in Canada and Related Harms – In August 2006, PHAC released its I-Track report on enhanced surveillance of risk behaviours among people who inject drugs in Canada, which reported on data collected from 2003-2005.  This report is available through PHAC's website (http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/i-track/sr-re-1/index.html). The study found that 26% of the injection drug use population reported injecting drugs every day and 23.1% reported injected drugs once in awhile, but not every week. The most commonly injected drugs were: cocaine (77.5%), morphine (45.9%), Dilaudid (32.9%), crack (31.9%) and heroin (27.6%).  Approximately 26% of males and 30% of females started to inject drugs by the age of 16.  The study concluded that although risky behaviours have shown decline over the two phases of the I-track survey, the possibility of the spread of HIV and HCV in these populations still exists. 
   • Intensive Support Units for Federal Offenders – In 2006, CSC published a report outlining the impact of its Intensive Support Unit (ISU) programs for federal offenders with substance abuse problems.  ISU residency offers no special programs or privileges and offenders must sign a contract agreeing to remain drug-free. The study found that even with higher rates of individual cell and personal searches within ISUs, the rate of seizure of substance-related contraband was lower for the ISU group than for the non-ISU group, suggesting that there were fewer drugs and alcohol in the ISUs.  The study further found that in seven of the 11 months under study, no substance-related contraband was found during individual cell and personal searches within ISUs.  Random drug-testing results indicated a decline in drug use detection from 15% before admission to the ISU to 3% afterwards.  The study concluded that there is a potential savings of $8,000 per ISU participant based on decreased incarceration time and reduced likelihood of readmission. 
   • Focus on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) – In September 2006, the Standing Committee on Health (HESA) tabled a report, Even One Is Too Many: A call for a comprehensive action plan for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.  PHAC led the Government of Canada response, tabling their report in January 2007, and appearing before the Committee in February 2007.  New projects were funded under the FASD National Strategic Projects Fund to enhance tools and resources for diagnosing FASD. PHAC hosted the first national roundtable to develop a model for calculating the economic impact of FASD in Canada. This is a significant, long-term activity that involves health and allied professionals as well as provincial and territorial representatives.
   • Evidence-Based Treatment – CCSA prepared a report, Evidence-Based Treatment: Information for the Service Provider.  This report noted that although evidence-based treatment models exist and are available in Canada, some substance abuse programs lack a solid base in integrated theory and supporting evidence. In attempt to rectify this problem, CCSA highlighted those treatment techniques that have an evidence base. These include: skill development exercises, cognitive-behavioural relapse prevention training, high-risk identification training, social skills training, problem-solving training, coping skills training, goal-setting, motivational interviewing, employment skills training, behavioural marital counselling, stress management training, maintenance “booster” sessions and aftercare as well as community reinforcement and support services.
   • Driving Under the Influence of Cannabis – CCSA completed a study that examined the prevalence of driving while under the influence of cannabis (DUIC) in Canada.  It found that between 1988 and 2004, the percentage of drivers who reported driving after using cannabis more than doubled from 2.1% to 4.8%.   DUIC tends to involve a relatively young population who generally believe that their driving ability will not be as adversely affected by cannabis as it is by alcohol.
     
2. More evidence-based responses to substance use/abuse.
   • Program Enhancements for Improved Outcomes –The RCMP continued to implement its revised programs based on program enhancements made last year, such as clarifying materials and use of more real life examples in presentations.  In addition, the RCMP conducted the first ever Canadian survey of the D.A.R.E program in November 2006 to obtain responses of students, parents, teachers and principals to assist in the future development of D.A.R.E. The D.A.R.E. survey focused on identifying how the program has increased awareness of the nature and consequences of substance use and abuse in schools and Aboriginal communities and among youth, professionals and the general public.  The final report is expected to be available in October 2007.The CCSA convened a Treatment Indicators Working Group for a two-year period beginning early in the fiscal year.  The purpose is to discuss and facilitate policy and technical initiatives to further the collection, dissemination and analysis of substance abuse treatment data.  A work plan for four projects being pursued by this working group was developed and CCSA hosted a working group meeting in October 2006.  CCSA also developed an expert working group for a coordinated approach to student drug use surveys.  A number of sub-groups were formed including: School Characteristics, Design and Analysis, and Core Indicators Working Groups.  To date, primary indicators of alcohol and cannabis use have been developed and discussions advanced regarding risks associated with use.
   • Interim Evaluation of CDS – Health Canada tabled the CDS Interim Year-2 Evaluation report and developed a management response to it. The evaluation focused on the Strategy's relevance, design, delivery and success.  More specifically, it was designed to: assess the ongoing relevancy of CDS's objectives; explore the extent to which CDS is organized to meet its objectives; and determine the Strategy's success and progress to date.  Some of the successes highlighted were: corroboration of the relevance of the overall Strategy's objective, especially with respect to prevention, treatment and enforcement; advancements in collaborative efforts among partners to address issues related to supply and demand for drugs; and the significant leadership role played by Canada internationally. Among areas identified for further review and improvement was the need to: strengthen the Strategy's capacity to conduct inspections in the area of synthetic drugs, analyze seized drugs and conduct enforcement activities; as well as enhance structures in support of horizontal and coordinated decision making.  As a result, work has commenced on implementing the recommendations, with a focus on enhanced evaluation and reporting.  Specifically, measures were initiated to streamline indicators, enhance capacity to evaluate the Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund (DSCIF) and other programs and develop collaborative models, such as the National Framework for Action to Reduce the Harms Associated with Alcohol and Other Drugs and Substances in Canada.  Reorientation of the Alcohol and Drug Treatment Rehabilitation (ADTR) program within Health Canada was under way with a focus on enhancing performance measurement, evaluation capacity and application of best practices.  The ADTR and the DSCIF began planning for their own performance measurement and evaluation strategy to enhance their ability to report on results.  Health Canada conducted workshops to review and streamline the CDS performance indicators to facilitate reporting on outcomes pertaining to treatment, prevention and enforcement.  It is expecting that these enhancements will be reflected in a reporting structure for the National Anti-Drug Strategy announced in Budget 2007.
   • Best Practices and Evidence-Based Responses – PHAC used results of the I-track study to plan and improve services at Needle Exchange Programs and to evaluate prevention programs.  Health Canada produced a new best practices document, Early Intervention, Outreach and Community Linkages for Women with Substance Use Problems.  Similarly, the RCMP Drugs and Organized Crime Awareness Services (DOCAS) in British Columbia continued its intelligence probe on chemical drugs and raves. Information on chemical drugs was disseminated to front-line officers who were well trained and used the information to effectively provide first-hand information and facts to youth and other partners. DOCAS helped facilitate community mobilization planning in eight Alberta communities by participating/leading discussions and planning with community partners on substance abuse related issues. 

Health Canada

Contributions Programs

$ 33.88 M

$ 14.78 M

$12.90 M[14]

Planned Results for 2006-2007:

• Increased capacity/ability to identify, understand and address issues pertaining to the demand for and supply of illicit drugs and harmful substances.

Achieved Results for 2006-2007:

1. Increased capacity/ability to identify, understand and address issues pertaining to the demand for and supply of illicit drugs and harmful substances.
   • Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund (DSCIF) – DSCIF received 38 new applications for funding.  Seventeen projects were approved but one was withdrawn. A total of 175 DSCIF projects have been funded and all include active partnerships and dissemination plans to share products and results.  Health Canada published a descriptive list of all projects on its website, including contact information, to encourage information sharing.  A total of $2,912,599 has been spent on national DSCIF projects. This has generated just under $2 million from other sources.  Similarly, regional DSCIF projects have received $6,557,425 in funding and generated over $2 million from other sources.  Although all 175 projects were successfully operating, the majority were not complete. Impact of these projects will be assessed as part of the DSCIF evaluation scheduled in 2007-08. 
   • Funding to CICAD – DFAIT coordinated negotiation and implementation of Canada's $943,000 umbrella cooperation agreement with CICAD, including $400,000 in general funding to the organization and support to the Organization's Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism review process.  Project highlights included seminars on port security, container profiling and investigative techniques (with a focus on Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico and Guatemala).  Support provided to global programs also led to an evaluation of substance abuse programs and capacity building in the area of addiction studies for the Caribbean region.  A number of these projects were pursued with the support of CDS partners. Training was continued, in Canada, for enforcement authorities from countries of Latin America and the Caribbean through the RCMP's International Observer Attachment Program.  The RCMP supplies Subject Matter Experts and instructors to provide training to police officers in Latin America, as well as Central and South America.  Public Safety Canada (PS) also funded CICAD through two contribution agreements for a total investment of $100,000.  PS held four meetings with partners to discuss gap analysis and potential projects to spend its remaining $80,000 allocation. It was determined that projects to be funded would include those that: promote a balanced approach between reducing supply of, and demand for drugs; contribute to protection of Canadian territory from illegal drug trafficking; give enhanced profile to CDS efforts; strengthen Canada's role, leadership and influence in multilateral organizations dealing with the drug problem; and enhance Canada's cooperative efforts with key bilateral partners on drug-related issues.
   • Funding to UNODC – DFAIT coordinated negotiation and implementation of Canada's $2.3 million umbrella cooperation agreement with the UNODC, including a $500,000 contribution to UNODC's drug program, and a series of projects reflective of the CDS balanced approach of addressing the supply of and demand for drugs, and also taking into consideration foreign policy priorities. Highlights included country-specific training programs such as the Afghanistan/Pakistan precursor control workshop, a drug investigation techniques workshop held in Cambodia, and building capacity for demand reduction in Afghanistan.  Support provided to regional programs aimed to improve container controls in Pakistan and Ecuador, improve collection and monitoring of demand reduction data, and improve prevention programs targeted at youth.

Health Canada

Coordination and Collaboration Programs/Activities

$ 13.16 M

$3.37 M

$ 3.37 M

Planned Results for 2006-2007:

• Increased collaboration/involvement of stakeholders.
• Improved coordination/direction of efforts among CDS partners/stakeholders.
• Enhanced credibility/influence of CDS in setting directions/policies in the area of supply and demand reduction.

Achieved Results for 2006-2007:

1. Increased collaboration/involvement of stakeholders.
   • Consultations – Key consultations included those with provincial health representatives regarding  ADTR program reorientation to support system-level treatment activities and those among CDS partners to identify gaps in federal programming regarding treatment, prevention and enforcement efforts, with a focus on illicit drugs.  Public Safety Canada conducted five presentations and provided support materials for 10 international meetings related to substance use/abuse.  Public Safety Canada also contributed by presenting 29 issues to Portfolio partners, such as drug impaired driving, precursor control regulations and Canada-U.S. drug threat assessment.
   • National Thematic Workshops – The last of the National Thematic Workshops was held on Improving the Quality, Accessibility, and Range of Options to Treat Harmful Substance Use including Substance Use Disorders.  Work continued on implementing recommendations out of the National Thematic Workshops held last year.  Furthermore, work continued to develop a National Alcohol Strategy.  This led to a report, Reducing Alcohol Related Harms in Canada: Towards a Culture of Moderation.  As a result of this report, work was initiated on National Drinking Guidelines.  Drafts of these will be available in 2007-08.  The National Treatment Strategy Working Group began developing a report and recommendations for optimizing health services' response to substance use problems, consensus was reached on priority areas, and statements drafted on concepts and indicators for research on psychotropic pharmaceutical abuse. 
   • FASD – The FASD team continued to develop linkages with other federal departments working in the area of FASD and led a Health Portfolio Working Group and an Interdepartmental Working Group on FASD.  The Health Portfolio, through the FASD team and FNIHB FASD team, built relationships with provincial and territorial representatives working in the area and with Canada Northwest FASD Partnership, Atlantic Intergovernmental FASD partnership, and Fetal Alcohol Intergovernmental Action Network of Ontario.  While contributing to sharing information, best practices and resources, and strengthening inter-governmental, cross-jurisdictional alliances, these partnerships also ensure that FASD efforts are consistent throughout Canada.
     
2. Improved coordination/direction of efforts among CDS partners/stakeholders.
   • ADM Steering Committee – As per the CDS Interim Evaluation recommendation, the ADM Steering Committee governance was reviewed and revised.  It was determined that it was only necessary to bring ADMs together when there are substantive issues to discuss, while Directors General would meet on a regular basis.  The ADM Steering Committee met once and approved the Management Response to the Interim CDS Evaluation and the 4^th Submission of the Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism (MEM).  ADMs also agreed to a definition of harm reduction to be utilized by the Strategy as a public health approach that places priority on reducing negative consequences of drug use, rather than on eliminating drug use or abstinence.
   • Emerging Issues Working Group – This interdepartmental working group met once on issues related to CDS partners, rather than Health Canada.  This group provides a forum for partners to share emerging concerns or activities, leading to enhanced coordination of activities and commonalities. 
   • Joint Initiatives – CDS partners were involved in many joint initiatives as a way to coordinate efforts and improve efficiency.  DSCIF of Health Canada was part of four initiatives: MOU with National Homelessness Initiative for Action for Neighbourhood Change; MOU with Justice Canada for funding six Drug Treatment Courts; MOU with NCOC for North American Opiate Medication Initiative (NAOMI) – Community Impact Study; and an MOU with the National Crime Prevention Centre for a Geo-coding project in Toronto.  In addition, the ADTR program had 10 cost-sharing agreements for treatment and rehabilitation services and the Office for Research and Surveillance participated in five joint initiatives for surveys. 
   • Interdepartmental International Working Group – CDS partners regularly met to coordinate positions and priorities for international meetings. For example, Public Safety Canada and Health Canada chaired CICAD steering group meetings and Health Canada coordinated preparations for the annual Commission on Narcotic Drugs.  DFAIT regularly chaired these meetings to coordinate Canadian programming priorities, advocacy efforts or instructions for international meetings such as for the ongoing process under UNODC and bilateral consultations with major partners such as the U.S.
     
3. Enhanced credibility/influence of CDS in setting directions/policies in the area of supply and demand reduction.
   • Nationally – The Office for Research and Surveillance (ORS) received requests for scientific information to feed into policies, legal affidavits/regulations, fact sheets, best practices and publications/presentations.  A significant amount of work was accomplished related to drug-impaired driving, leading to the tabling in Parliament of Bill C-32 by the Minister of Justice.
   • Internationally – Canada secured a seat on the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs and was elected as rapporteur to the Organization and will be represented by Canada's Permanent representative to the UN organizations in Vienna.  Canadian input is being sought on numerous international policies and issues such as the National Framework for 2006 Report on the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Narcotics Control Strategy.  Health Canada was asked to provide input into issues such as the UNODC Drug Strategy, drug-related resolutions for the UN General Assembly, CICAD's Anti-Drug Strategy, International Affairs Directorate on alcohol resolution at World Health Assembly, and resolutions for the G-8 summit. Approximately 40% of  visitors to the CDS website were international.  A Canadian resolution was adopted by the General Assembly on measures to establish by 2009 the progress achieved in implementing the declaration.  Canada was also asked to provide input on resolutions related to Afghanistan, Brazil, the United States, Australia, Japan, India, Argentina, Russia, Switzerland and Mexico.  DFAIT reported regular engagement with representatives of the administrative and legislative branches of the U.S. Government to advocate and further Canadian views and perspectives on drug issues.  As Chair of the Expert Group on Demand Reduction for CICAD, Health Canada provided leadership in a standardized evaluation framework to be used in the hemisphere in ongoing evaluation of prevention programs in substance use and abuse. Additionally, ORS within Health Canada had 10 abstracts accepted for presentations at scientific conferences, many of which were international, and had two papers published in international scientific journals.

Health Canada

Policy and Legislative Review and Development Programs/ Activities

$ 5.70 M

$1.55 M

$ 1.55 M

Planned Results for 2006-2007:

• Improved policy and regulatory responses to the demand for and the supply of illicit drugs and harmful substances.

Achieved Results for 2006-2007:

1. Improved policy and regulatory responses to the demand for and the supply of illicit drugs and harmful substances. Under CDS, all federal partners are involved in development and monitoring of policies and procedures to enhance the effectiveness of the operations of each partner and, therefore, the overall effectiveness.
   • Strategic Policy – Health Canada continued its efforts to improve the policy and/or regulatory response to alcohol and controlled substances.  CCSA, Health Canada and partners worked together to see the National Framework for Action to Reduce Harms Associated with Alcohol and Other Drugs and Substances in Canada formally endorsed by 43 organizations and provincial governments. The National Alcohol Strategy Working Group that was formed last year continued to meet.  A multi- stakeholder approach helped establish the foundation for a national strategy to prevent abuse of psychoactive pharmaceuticals.
   • Regulations for the Production and Distribution of Controlled Substances – Health Canada initiated and/or continued to work on multiple regulatory initiatives aimed at modernizing the controlled drugs and substances legislative and regulatory framework.  Of note is the completion of a Policy Framework and draft regulations proposing the designation of additional classes of health professionals as practitioners under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.  Five Regional Compliance officers were hired to monitor and investigate compliance of persons and companies licensed to distribute controlled drugs or precursors with the requirements of the Regulations. A total of 14,321 licences, import/export permits, authorizations and exemptions were issued compared to 13,764 last year.  This included 1,416 licences granted for controlled drugs, precursors or industrial hemp, 1,470 precursor import/export permits, 3,754 import/export permits for controlled drugs, 1,330 scientific exemptions, 4,118 methadone exemptions and 1,735 authorizations to possess under the Marihuana Medical Access Regulations (MMAR).  Health Canada received 1,028 loss and theft reports, compared to 929 last year.  Health Canada also modified the arrears policy for the Marihuana Medical Access Program to stop shipments to clients who have been in arrears for more than 30 days (the previous policy allowed clients to be in arrears for more than 90 days). The FPT committee on substance use and abuse conducted a review of current legislation, regulations and policy governing administration of controlled substances drug therapy in management of opioid dependence to identify perceived and actual challenges under the current regulatory framework. A draft review report was produced and additional work on this project will be completed by December 2007.  This includes a survey of key stakeholders with the intention to integrate findings from the review report with the survey data in order to identify options for renewed mechanisms.  Health Canada also prepared position papers, fact sheets, speeches and talking points on Alcohol Warning Labels related to Bill C-251. 

Health Canada

Enforcement Programs/ Activities

$ 55.74 M

$ 14.26 M

$ 14.26 M

Planned Results for 2006-2007:

• Improved understanding and knowledge of drugs, related trends, and production and diversion methods.
• Enhanced ability to detect and respond to the supply of illicit drugs and harmful substances.

Achieved Results for 2006-2007:

Enforcement activities under CDS include measures to halt the unlawful import, export, production, distribution and possession of controlled substances.

1. Improved understanding and knowledge of drug production and diversion methods and related trends. Under CDS, improved understanding of the issues and contexts that contribute to real and potential growth in  production and distribution of illicit drugs and harmful substances is key to development of more effective responses to production and diversion concerns.  A number of federal partners collaborate to address these issues.  
   • Trends in Drug-Related Crimes and Charges – A total of 36,226 new drug-related files were opened, an increase of approximately 17% from 2005-06.  During the same time period, 66,449 drug-related charges were laid against 43,303 accused compared to 64,048 charges laid against 37,428 accused in 2005-06.  Comparing drug prosecution activity from 2004-05 to 2006-07, the level of drug trafficking cases billed has increased 40%, from 1,343 cases to 1,878.  The number of Possession for the Purposes of Trafficking cases has also increased by 40% from 4,835 to 6,758.  The rise in cases is believed to be due in large part to Ontario's Guns and Gangs initiative.
   • Trends in Seizures within Federal Correctional Institutions – Drug-related seizures in federal institutions decreased slightly. The number of incidents of offenders with drugs and/or drug paraphernalia seized was 8.4 per 1,000.  Last year's rate was 9.7.  Similarly, the number of incidents where drugs and or drug paraphernalia was seized from visitors decreased from 91 last year to 59 this  year. 
   • Trends in Modes of Transportation – Trend analysis identified that the primary modes of transportation of illicit drugs and harmful substances continued to be post/courier, highway and air passenger. Postal/courier transportation increased by 19% from last year, whereas highway transportation increased by 2% and air passenger decreased by 19%.
     
2. Enhanced ability to detect and respond to the supply of illicit drugs and harmful substances.
   • Seizures – The RCMP spent 73,070 officer hours on investigations which led to the disruption of 372 MGOs (approximately 165,000 plants were seized for a total of just over 277 kg) and 31 clandestine labs.  This represents a decrease in MGO seizures from 2005-06 of approximately 6% and an increase in clandestine lab seizures of approximately 4%.  RCMP CDS-funded teams arrested 149 individuals and 14 criminal organizations on drug-related charges.  The RCMP also continued their intelligence probe on chemical drugs and raves and, as a result, made numerous seizures including 31 tablets being held out as ecstasy at one rave on Hallowe'en.  The RCMP trained MGO teams to respond in an ancillary role to clandestine drub laboratories in order to increase capacity to respond to CDS responsibilities. This will ensure that teams have the ability to investigate or participate in investigations regarding synthetic drug operations.  This initiative was under development and it is expected that approximately 20 officers will be trained in 2007. 
   • Seizures at Canadian Borders/Ports – There was a slight increase in drug and alcohol seizures at Canadian borders/ports compared to 2005-06 while there was a decrease in precursor seizures.  A total of 8,078 drug-related seizures were made in comparison to 3,052 alcohol-related seizures and 174 precursor-related seizures.  Drugs seized included Catha Edulis, cocaine, ephedrine, hash oil, hashish, heroin, ecstasy, marihuana, opium and steroids.
   • Analysis of Seized Drugs – Health Canada's Drug Analysis Service (DAS) was involved in 41 clandestine lab investigations, the same number as last year, and contributed to the safe dismantling of 37 labs.  A total of 104,185 exhibits were sent to DAS for analysis from law enforcement agencies with a total of 91,842 certificates and/or reports produced for police and/or Crown lawyers.  DAS also made 118,006 authorizations for destruction of seized substances, an increase of approximately 9% from 2005-06.  Similar to last year, DAS officials appeared in 40 court cases to report on results of their analyses. 
   • Detection of Illicit Drugs and Harmful Substances in Federal Institutions – Positive urinalysis  rates remained relatively stable with 12% positive test results, the same rate as last year.  The highest rate of positive results was found at medium security institutions while the lowest rate was found at minimum security institutions. 
   • Prosecution of Drug-Related Offences/Offenders – Ontario's Guns and Gangs initiative created more work for in-house counsel at the Toronto office.  It is anticipated that additional police enforcement behind this initiative will be around 170 FTEs, resulting in an increase of 15-20% in the inventory of the intake court with a consequent need to reinforce 13 staff counsel deployed to that court.  Toronto is forecasting an overall prosecution gap of 8.5 FTEs creating a need to outsource work.  The Department of Justice regional office in Calgary was also forced to outsource more drug cases due to a shortage of staff.  There was about an 11% decrease in drug-related acquittals, a 24% decrease in charges declined, a 14% decrease in discharges and an increase of 43% in diversion sentences for drug-related offenders, compared to last year.
   • Potential Diversion of Drugs and Chemical Precursors – Health Canada continues to assume primary responsibility for monitoring the licit production and distribution of drugs and chemical precursors.  Responses to the potential for diversion included 1,028 loss and theft reports, up from 929 in 2005-06 but down from 1,055 in 2004-05. 

Total $1,568.2 M 

Total $408.36 M

Total $397.43 M

16. Comments on Variances:

Comments on variances are provided in footnotes at the bottom of each relevant section.

17. Results Achieved by Non-federal Partners:

18. Contact Information:

Colleen Ryan

Manager, CDS Evaluation, Risk Management and Reporting

(613) 957-2867

colleen_ryan@hc-sc.gc.ca

19. Approved by:

Andrew Adams

20. Date Approved:

6. Description of the Horizontal Initiative: The Federal Strategy on ECD for First Nations and Other Aboriginal Children was announced on October 31, 2002. The Strategy provides $320 million over five years to: improve and expand existing ECD programs and services for Aboriginal children; expand ECD capacity and networks; introduce new research initiatives to improve understanding of how Aboriginal children are doing; and work towards the development of a "single window" approach to ensure better integration and coordination of federal Aboriginal ECD programming. In December 2004, as the first phase of a "single window," Cabinet approved an additional $45 million over three years ($14 million ongoing) to improve integration and coordination of two ECD programs, (Aboriginal Head Start On-Reserve and the First Nations and Inuit Child Care Initiative), beginning in 2005-2006. The objectives of these funds are to increase access to and improve the quality of ELCC programming for First Nations children on-reserve, and improve integration and coordination between the two programs through joint planning, joint training and co-location. Joint planning will also include Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) funded child care programs.

7. Shared Outcome(s):
The federal ECD Strategy complements the September 2000 First Ministers F/P/T ECD Agreement. It seeks to address the gap in life chances between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children by improving the developmental opportunities to which Aboriginal children (and their families) are exposed at an early age (0-6 years). These outcomes are shared by the following federal departments: Health Canada - First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada, Human Resources and Social Development Canada (Aboriginal Affairs Directorate and Social Policy Development Directorate) and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

The funding, approved in December 2004, to enhance child care and work towards the first phase of a "single window", complements funding released to provinces and territories under the March 2003 Multilateral Framework for Early Learning and Child Care to improve access to early learning and child care programs and services.

a)  Health Canada (HC)

(a) Aboriginal Head Start On-Reserve (AHSOR)

$21.5 M

$7.0 M

$20.6M 1

$8.3 M

$26 M

Program expansion and enhancement

See details below  

$15 M

$14.9 M

$14.3 M

 Program expansion and enhancement

See details below

(c) Building Capacity and Networks

$1.02 M

$.95 M

$.66 M

Building capacity and networks

See details below

(d) Horizontal Training

$1.3 M

$1.3 M

$1.3 M

See details below

b)  Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

(a) Aboriginal Head Start in Urban and Northern Communities

$ 12.6 M

$12.6 M

$12.6 M

Program expansion and enhancement

See details below

(b) Building Capacity and Networks

$500 K

$500 K

$500 K

Program expansion and enhancement

See details below

c)  Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC)

(a) First Nations and Inuit Child Care Initiative (FNICCI)

$9.14 M

$7 M

$9.14 M

$16.14 M

Program expansion and enhancement
Increased integration, coordination, access and quality.

See details below

(b) Aboriginal Children's Survey

$3.44 M ongoing

$6 M2

$6 M (est)2

Consultations, finalize content development, collection, data processing and promotional activities development.

See details below

(c) Understanding the Early Years - Aboriginal component

$700 K

$700 K

$03

Understanding the Early Years Call for Proposals to encourage applications from Aboriginal communities

Held consultations with national First Nations, Metis and Inuit organizations

d) Indian Affairs and Northern Development

(a) "Single Window" Work

$0.879 M

$0.879M

$0.879 M

Better coordination and integration

See details below

(b) Building Capacity and Networks

See details below

Total    $80.21M

Total  $82.27M

Total
$77.73M

 16. Comments on Variances
 
Aboriginal Head Start On-Reserve:
All available funding was allocated to meet regional health program needs, including those services that First Nations have identified as priorities.

2 Aboriginal Children's Survey:
Planned spending figure reflects the fact that 2006-2007 was a data collection year. Actual spending figure for 2006-2007 of $6 million is an estimate as actual spending has not been finalized.

3 Understanding the Early Years (UEY) - Aboriginal component:
In late 2004, when the national UEY initiative was announced and assigned to HRSDC's Income Security and Social Development Branch, the management of the Aboriginal component of UEY was also transferred, along with an allocation of $700 K on an ongoing basis.  The implementation of Aboriginal UEY was intended to coincide with the fielding of the first data collection of the Aboriginal Children's Survey (ACS).  Since the ACS was not fielded until fall 2006, the Aboriginal component of UEY was delayed.

6. Description of the Horizontal Initiative:

The Federal Tobacco Control Strategy (FTCS) establishes a framework for a comprehensive, integrated, and multi-faceted approach to tobacco control. The FTCS is the federal contribution to the national tobacco control plan endorsed in 1999 by all Ministers of Health. It focuses on four mutually reinforcing components: protection, prevention, cessation and harm reduction, supplemented by effective use of public education campaigns to reach all Canadians.

7. Shared Outcome:

The FTCS has five 10-year objectives (2001-11):

• Reduce smoking prevalence to 20 percent from 25 percent (level in 1999).
• Reduce the number of cigarettes sold by 30 percent.
• Increase retailer compliance regarding youth access to tobacco from 69 percent to 80 percent.
• Reduce the number of people exposed to environmental tobacco smoke in enclosed public places.
• Explore how to mandate changes to tobacco products to reduce health hazards.

8. Governance Structure:

Resources for implementation were allocated to a number of departments and agencies. Health Canada (HC) is the lead department and is responsible for regulating the manufacture, sale, labelling and promotion of tobacco products as well as developing, implementing and promoting initiatives that reduce or prevent the negative health impacts associated with smoking.

The partner departments and agencies are:

• Public Safety Canada (PS) (formerly Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada) -- administers contribution funding for monitoring activities to determine levels of contraband tobacco activity. The Department also provides policy advice and support on smuggling issues.
• Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (formerly Department of Justice) -- Is responsible for monitoring federal fines imposed in relation to tobacco and other types of offences, and for enforcing and recovering outstanding fines.
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) -- is responsible for the enforcement of laws in relation to the international movement of tobacco products including the illicit manufacture, distribution or possession of contraband tobacco products.
• Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) (formerly Canada Customs and Revenue Agency) -- is responsible for ensuring the assessment and collection of tobacco taxes and monitoring tobacco exports.
• Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) (previously part of the former Canada Customs and Revenue Agency) -- is responsible for monitoring and assessing the level of contraband tobacco in Canada and internationally, reporting to the Dept. of Finance to assist in the development of sound tax policies.

9. Federal Partners Involved in each Program

10. Names of Programs

11. Total Allocation 2001-02 to 2006-07

12. Forecasted Spending for 2006-07

13. Actual Spending in 2006-07

14. Planned Results for 2006-07

15. Achieved Results in 2006-07

1. HC

FTCS

$482.5 M

(Note: this original allocation has been affected by several cuts since the FTCS began.

$80.8 M

(Tobacco Control Program: $67.8 M)
(First Nations & Inuit Health Branch:$12 M)

$75.6 M

(TCP - $66.6 M)
(FNIHB - $8.3 M)

See text below.

See text below.

2. PS

FTCS

$3.2 M

$0.6 M

$0.6 M

See text below.

See text below.

3. ODPP

FTCS

$10 M

$1.3 M

$1.3 M

See text below.

See text below.

4. RCMP

FTCS

$10.5 M

(To offset seven analytical FTEs and five technical support FTEs)

$1.5 M

$1.5 M

See text below.

See text below.

5. CRA

FTCS

$43.1 M

(Total allotment to CRA, includes Customs/CBSA $30.7 M and Assessment and Benefit Services

$1.7 M and Legislative Policy and Regulatory Affairs Branch $10.7 M)

$10.4 M

(Allocated between Customs/ CBSA and two CRA areas)

$10.4 M (Allocated between Customs/ CBSA and two CRA areas)

See text below.

See text below.

6. CBSA Intelligence Directorate and Travellers Division

FTCS

$21.1 M

$5.1 M for activities plus $4.3 M for loss of duty-free licensing

$5.1 M for activities plus $4.3 M for loss of duty-free licensing

See text below.

See text below.

Total

$560 M

Total

$104.0 M

Total

$98.8 M

16. Comments on Variances:

The Health Canada variance is mainly the result of a budget reduction sustained as part of the 2004 government-wide Expenditure Review exercise and a reallocation of FTCS resources to Health Canada's responsibilities with respect to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. This reduction is permanent.

As part of the September 2006 Expenditure Review, the FNIHB portion of the FTCS funding was eliminated. This reduced Health Canada's overall budget by $10.8 M over the next two years (reduction of $2.5 M in 2006-07; $8.3 M in 2007-08; $10.8 M in 2008-09 and ongoing).

17. Results Achieved by Non-federal Partners:

Through funding provided by the FTCS, the Akwesasne Mohawk Police (AMP) have been able to increase their surveillance and monitoring of tobacco smuggling. The AMP has reported participating in joint forces operations that have led to charges and seizures, including tobacco. All tobacco seizures made by the AMP are turned over to the RCMP for prosecutions and reported through the RCMP Cornwall Detachment.

The AMP have enhanced their capacity in intelligence development and specialized criminal investigation techniques through their work with Canadian and U.S. law enforcement partners in the context of the Integrated Border Enforcement Team in the Cornwall area. In addition, they have had an opportunity to lead and participate in Joint Forces Operations related to cross-border criminal activities and organized crime.

An evaluation is being conducted by Consulting and Audit Canada under contract to PS. The final evaluation report is anticipated by July 30, 2007.

18. Contact Information:

Dave Semel

(613) 952-3367

dave_semel@hc-sc.gc.ca