ARCHIVED - RPP 2006-2007
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

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Section V – Special Chapter on Canadian Firearms Program

Commissioner's Message

On May 17, 2006 the responsibility for the Firearms Act and its regulations were transferred to the RCMP. 

I welcome this new responsibility, and I am confident that the integration of the Canadian Firearms Program into existing RCMP operations will allow Canadian police authorities to more effectively coordinate gun control activities with other crime control measures. 

To ensure the RCMP maintains the strong commitment of the former Canada Firearms Centre (CAFC) of transparent reporting to Parliamentarians and Canadians, what follows is a special chapter dedicated specifically to the transition of CAFC and the day-to-day operations of Canadian Firearms Program (CFP) into the RCMP. This chapter describes the expected benefits of transferring the Firearms Program to the RCMP, sets out the plans and priorities of the 2006-2007 fiscal year, provides a summary of the Firearms Program planning and performance framework as well as key financial information.

The effective operation of the Firearms Program is important to approximately two million Canadians who hold a valid firearms licence. It is also important to the law enforcement community, who rely on the information contained in the Canada Firearms Information System to help them keep our homes and communities safe. 

The RCMP has a solid track record of operating national databases and repositories for the benefit of the entire Canadian law enforcement and criminal justice communities. I am confident that our expertise in providing effective stewardship of these national systems will be of significant value as we undertake to operate the Firearms Program. 

As Canada's national police force, the RCMP will continue to uphold the Firearms Act as envisioned to protect the rights of all Canadians. Our operation of the Firearms Program will not impact on our policing mandate or vice versa, except where legislation compels our police officers to act.

As Commissioner of the RCMP, I look forward to meeting the challenges related to the Firearms Program and I am committed to building upon the work done over the past several years by the staff working within the former CAFC in issuing firearms licences (individual and business) and registration of firearms in Canada. 

Under the direction of the RCMP, the Firearms Program will continue to enhance public safety by providing support to law enforcement agencies efforts aimed at the prevention and investigation of firearms related criminal activity. The RCMP will work closely with its partners to ensure that the Firearms Program continues to contribute to safe homes and safe communities in Canada.

G. Zaccardelli
Commissioner

Transfer of the Canadian Firearms Program to the RCMP

Canada's new Government is committed to effective firearms control that targets criminals, while maintaining the highest standards of public safety. On May 17, 2006, the Government announced:

• Responsibility for the Firearms Act and its regulations was transferred to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), taking over from the former Canada Firearms Centre
• The annual operating budget for the Program was reduced by $10 million
• Implementation of licence renewal fee waivers and refunds
• Elimination of physical verification of non-restricted firearms
• Introduction of a one-year amnesty to protect previously-licensed owners of non-restricted firearms from prosecution and to encourage them to comply with the law as it currently stands

The transfer of responsibility for the Firearms Act and regulations, including the firearms registry, to the RCMP will aim to provide a cost-effective firearms program that will meet the Government's commitment to accountability. 

The government announced it will also take action to improve service delivery introducing a more cost-effective lifetime licensing system that will eliminate waste and avoid unnecessary burdens on firearm registrants. Under this system, the police will be able to know and verify who is authorized to own legal firearms and who is not. The transfer will also make it easier for Canadian police authorities to coordinate gun control activities with other crime control measures.

The transfer of the responsibility for the Canada Firearms Centre (CAFC) to the RCMP includes the transfer of all CAFC approved funding and existing personnel. The RCMP also assumed responsibility for all ongoing operational aspects of the program, including relationships and funding commitments with opt-in provinces and the Canadian Border Services Agency. 

Within the RCMP, the Firearms Program will be managed under the National Police Services (NPS) responsibility area. By integrating the program within NPS, the opportunity exists to achieve efficiencies and improve interoperability with many other key programs such as National Weapons Enforcement Support Team (NWEST), Forensic Science and Identification Services. Given that NPS provides services to the entire law enforcement and criminal justice communities, it is expected that positioning the Firearms Program as part of NPS will lead to optimal results and the best possible service to clients.

It is anticipated that in the short-term, the transfer will be cost neutral but may present opportunities for synergy and potential cost savings in the medium to long term through attrition and the integration of corporate activities such as Finance, Human Resources Administration and Information Technology systems into existing RCMP operations.

The reduction of the Firearms Program's annual budget by $10 million, in 2006-2007 and beyond can be achieved without significantly impacting operations or client service. It is anticipated that the potential for further savings may be realized as and when economies of scale associated with the transfer to the RCMP are achieved, and when and if changes to legislation are approved.

Overview of Canadian Firearms Program

Mission

In harmony with the RCMP's mission statement of safe homes and safe communities, the Program's mission is to support police and other law enforcement organizations; prevent the misuse of firearms in Canada; enhance public safety by helping reduce death, injury and threat from firearms through responsible ownership, use and storage of firearms.

Mandate

The RCMP will continue to develop and oversee an effective firearms registration and licensing system that will assist in the reduction of gun violence and meet the Government's principal obligations under the Act. The Firearms Program is intended to reduce gun violence by:

• Supporting law enforcement agencies in preventing and investigating firearm crimes and incidents 
• Controlling the acquisition, possession and ownership of firearms
• Regulating certain types of firearms
• Preventing the misuse of firearms

The Firearms Program will undertake activities in support of:

• Police operations investigating firearms gun crime by providing vital information and expertise
• Licensing all firearm owners including individuals and businesses
• Protection to public safety through continuous eligibility screening of all firearm owners and follow-up investigations of incidents and, when appropriate, revocation of firearms licences
• Firearms-related safety education and public awareness
• Issuance of authorizations to carry handguns and to transport restricted and prohibited firearms

Values 

The RCMP will operate the Firearms Program in accordance with its core values as well as the following:

• Respect the lawful ownership and use of firearms in Canada and support firearm users with quality service, fair treatment and protection of confidential information
• Recognize that the involvement of the provinces, other federal agencies, Aboriginal peoples, police organizations, firearm owners and users, safety instructors, verifiers, businesses, and public safety groups is essential for effective program delivery and achieving success
• Commit to ongoing improvement and innovation in order to achieve the highest levels of service, compliance, efficiency, and overall effectiveness
• Inform and engage the Firearms Program's clients
• Manage its resources prudently to provide good value for money, and clear and accurate reporting of program performance and resource management
• Uphold the values and ethical standards of the Public Service of Canada and commit to fair staffing, employee development and a work environment that encourages involvement and initiative

Program Activity Architecture

Given the timing and complexity involved with the transfer of responsibility, a transition period will be necessary to effectively migrate CAFC's Program Activity Architecture (PAA), financial and human resource data into the RCMP's PAA, financial and human resource systems. In the interim, to maintain transparent, consistent and complete reporting to Parliament and Canadians for planning year 2006-2007, CAFC's existing PAA will be linked to the RCMP's PAA. At the earliest opportunity, the RCMP will work with Treasury Board Secretariat to integrate CAFC's PAA more fully into the RCMP's PAA in a manner that will integrate it with appropriate Activities and/or Sub-Activities.

The graphic below identifies how the RCMP and CAFC PAAs will be integrated in 2006/07. 

Program Activity Architecture

Display full size graphic

The Program Activity Architecture (PAA) for CAFC was amended for 2006-2007 to provide better clarity to the infrastructure, services and support functions performed within each of the operational areas. 

• Activity: Registration, Licensing and Supporting Infrastructure (formerly Maximize Public Safety Benefits of the Firearms Act)
• Activity: Policy, Regulatory, Communications and Portfolio Integration was created and added to CAFC's PAA. The intent of this new activity is to be more transparent to Parliamentarians, partners and clients. This function was previously embedded within the Effective Management of the Program Activity.

Canadian Firearms Program
Strategic Outcome	The risks to public safety from firearms in Canada and international communities are minimized
Program Activities	Registration, Licensing and Supporting Infrastructure			Policy, Regulatory, Communication and Portfolio Integration

Future Direction for the PAA

The RCMP will seek Treasury Board approval to transition the Canadian Firearms Program as a component within National Police Services (NPS) which is responsible for many police support programs. The Program will retain its core values and commitment to safe homes, safe communities that directly support the RCMP strategic priorities of Organized Crime, Terrorism, Youth and Aboriginal Communities.

Planned Financial and HR Resources by Activity1
	Financial Resources ($ millions)			Human Resources (FTE’s)
Program Activity	2006-2007	2007-2008	2008-2009	2006-2007	2007-2008	2008-2009
Registration, Licensing and Supporting Infrastructure	78.3	See note below	See note below	375	See note below	See note below
Policy, Regulatory, Communications and Portfolio Integration	5.3	See note below	See note below	27	See note below	See note below
Total	83.6*	N/A	N/A	385	N/A	N/A

¹ Planned Financial and HR resources for the program are depended upon passage of Bill C-21 An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act. For this reason, planned spending for 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 are not yet defined.

*Reflects the Main Estimates allocation for CAFC as tabled in Parliament; does not reflect the $10M operating reduction announced by the Government on May 17, 2006. 

Program Overview

The Firearms Program is a multi-departmental and multi-jurisdictional program for which the RCMP now has lead responsibility. The core activities of the Program are shown in the chart below:

The Canadian Firearms Information System (CFIS) is designed to support the administration of the Firearms Act. Responsibility for administering and maintaining CFIS now rests with the RCMP. In federally administered jurisdictions, the RCMP, through Chief Firearms Officers (CFO), is responsible for the administration of the Act: British Columbia and Yukon Alberta and Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan and Nunavut, Manitoba and, Newfoundland and Labrador. The provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia administer responsibilities within their jurisdictions, under direction of their provincial governments, in a manner consistent with the Firearms Act. 

The provincial operations are funded by the Government of Canada through contribution agreements entered into between the Government and individual provinces. The RCMP will also work with Aboriginal and other community organizations to further the understanding of, and compliance with, program requirements. These efforts are also funded through contribution agreements.

The RCMP operates the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC), which interfaces with CFIS to provide timely information to Chief Firearms Officers making decisions about client licensing and continuous eligibility. The RCMP is also responsible for the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team (NWEST). NWEST supports the work of local police services across Canada in combating the illegal smuggling and trafficking of illicit firearms. 

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is responsible for administering elements of the Firearms Program at Canada's border crossings. These elements of the Firearms Program are funded through Memoranda of Understanding with CBSA. The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) issues import and export permits for firearms under the Export and Import Permits Act. DFAIT is not refunded the cost of the activity as it was part of its mandate prior to the passage of Bill-C68, in December 1995. DFAIT will continue to issue these permits until such time that the regulations for the importation and exportation of firearms come into force and form part of the Firearms Act.

Risks, Challenges and Opportunities

The RCMP is committed to assisting the government in contributing to safe homes and safe communities. It will continue to build on successes and lessons learned to meet the Firearms Program's future risks, challenges and opportunities. 

Understanding firearm owner behaviour in Canada will continue to be a priority. While the vast majority of firearm owners renew licences, some still do not do so despite repeated attempts at simplifying obligations to comply with the Firearms Act. In order to mitigate this risk, an analysis to better understand why a minority of Canadian firearm owners have yet to comply with the Act will be undertaken as well as ways to simplify client interactions. Simple, easy to use forms have been well received by the clients in the past and contributed to increased compliance with the Firearms Act. A new, simplified licence renewal form was introduced in July 2005. This new form, along with renewal reminders, had a noteworthy impact on improving the rate at which clients renew licences. 

The quality of data gathered and maintained is of paramount importance. As law enforcement partners increasingly rely on CFP information to carry out their work – thereby improving officer safety and reducing risk to the public – the need for accurate and up-to-date information continues to grow. Dedicated efforts will be maintained to ensure that high standard for data quality is well understood by law enforcement partners. We will continue to improve client service through the optimization of web-based transactions (i.e., online address changes, business-to-business or business-to-individual transfers). The continued use of web-based transactions will improve quality of data gathered for clients and reduce costs. 

The RCMP will continue efforts to develop and maintain broad-based relationships with client and stakeholder groups. Gun control is a sensitive area of public policy and administration, and opportunities to enhance understanding and participation must be recognized.

Plans and Priorities

Moving forward, existing and future priorities of the Program will be aligned to achieving a single strategic outcome, "the risks to public safety from firearms in Canada and international communities are minimized", in the most effective and efficient manner possible. 

The priorities are:

1. Ensure that the public safety benefits of the Canadian Firearms Program are optimized:

• This will be achieved through continually providing excellent service to a diversified clientele that includes police organizations, firearm owners, safety groups and firearm organizations and the general public

2. Support continued compliance with the law:

• Program effectiveness requires continued and enhanced compliance with the law. The RCMP will work closely with Chief Firearms Officers, the provinces, police organizations and other public safety officials, as well as with firearm owners and users to facilitate compliance and support enforcement and crime and injury prevention

3. Continue to engage the public, partners, and other communities of interest to further improve the Program:

• Targeted outreach activities will enhance awareness and understanding of the Program, and support achievement of the objectives of the Firearms Act and related legislation

4. Increase effectiveness of internal operations

• Efficiencies will be gained through merger of Program operations (corporate and operational) with those of the RCMP

Results and Performance Framework

Strategic Goal
The risks to public safety from firearms in Canada and international communities are minimized.
Expected Results and Indicators
Expected Results Reduced access to firearms for those who pose a threat to public safety Useful information made available for policing and law enforcement purposes Safe use and storage of firearms Increased understanding and knowledge of program requirements by clients, community organizations and Canadians		Indicators Licence revocations and refusals  (for individuals and businesses) and associated reasons Queries to CFRO; affidavits produced Participants in safety courses Renewal rate for licences; new clients; individual-to-individual firearms transfers
Activities and Outputs
Registration, Licensing and Supporting Infrastructure: Administering efficient and effective registration, licensing and other non-registration activities		Policy, Regulatory, Communication and Portfolio Integration: An effective legislative, regulatory and policy framework in support of the Firearms Program
Activities: The Act is administered	Outputs: Licences granted Registrations and transfers completed Business licences issued Continuous eligibility monitoring	Activities: Program compliance is supported by effective public awareness activities	Outputs: Relevance of outreach activities and communications materials
Efficient, client-centered services and streamlined processes are in place	Improvements in client service for: licensing, registration and telephone enquiries	Policies and programs are improved through more effective and informed policy development processes	Stakeholder perspectives are considered in policy/regulatory developments and implementation
Border control of firearms is supported by effective monitoring mechanisms	Non-resident declarations	Firearms Program forms an integral part of the national approach to secure safe homes and safe communities	Greater support role for police and law enforcement organizations to effectively coordinate gun control activities with other gun control measures

Financial Tables

The following table represents anticipated planned spending for the Firearms Program. The planned spending is a representation of all Program Activities for which the RCMP will be accountable such as licensing, registration, Chief Firearms Officers, etc.

Table 1: Departmental Planned Spending and Full Time Equivalents
($ millions)	Forecast Spending 2005-2006*	Planned Spending 2006-2007	Planned Spending 2007-2008	Planned Spending 2008-2009
Registration, Licensing and Supporting Infrastructure
Budgetary	60.2	61.5
Statutory (employee benefits plan)	3.8	3.8
Contributions	13.0	13.0
Sub-total	77.0	78.3	Planned Financial and HR resources for the program are dependent upon passage of Bill C-21 An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act.For this reason, planned spending for 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 are not yet determined.
Policy, Regulatory, Communications and Portfolio Integration
Budgetary	3.9	3.9
Statutory (employee benefits plan)	0.4	0.4
Contributions	1.0	1.0
Sub-total	5.3	5.3
Main Estimates (gross)	82.3	83.6
Less: Respendable revenue	0.0	0.0
Total Main Estimates	82.3	83.6
Adjustments:
Procurement Savings	0.0	0.0
Supplementary Estimates:	0.0	(10.0)*
Budget Announcement:	0.0	0.0
Lapse	(13.8)	0.0
Total Adjustments	(13.8)	(10.0)
Total Planned Spending	68.5	73.6
Less: Non-Respendable revenue	(21.9)	(4.3)**
Plus: Cost of services received without charge	3.6	4.4
Total Departmental Spending	50.2	73.7
Full-time Equivalents	371.0	385.0

*As stated in Minister's announcement of May 17, 2006, the ME's level for 2006-2007 will be reduced by $10M to $73.6M.
**Note: An amnesty for collection of fees from firearm owners who need to renew their licence was announced on May 17, 2006 for a two-year period ending in 2007-2008, resulting in a significant reduction in planned revenues.

Table 4: Sources of Non-respendable Revenue
Non-Respendable Revenue
($ millions)	Forecast Spending 2005-2006*	Planned Spending 2006-2007	Planned Spending 2007-2008	Planned Spending 2008-2009
Registration, Licensing and Supporting Infrastructure
Licensing activities
Individual licences activities	17.3	1.9*	1.9*	21.7
Business licences activities	0.5	0.6	0.1	0.6
Non-Resident Declarations	1.9	1.9	1.9	1.9
Miscellaneous (Authorizations, etc)	0.3	0.4	0.4	0.4
	20.0	4.3	4.3	24.6
Policy, Regulatory, Communications and Portfolio Integration
Miscellaneous revenue	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0
Miscellaneous (as per Public Accounts)	1.8	0.0	0.0	0.0
Total Non-respendable Revenues	21.9	4.3	4.3	24.6

*Note: An amnesty for collection of fees from firearm owners who need to renew their licence was announced on May 17, 2006 for a two-year period ending in 2007-2008, resulting in a significant reduction in planned revenues.

Table 5: User Fees
Name of User Fee	Fee Type	Fee Setting Authority	Reason for Fee Introduction or Amendment	Effective Date of Planned Change To Take Effect	Planned Consultation and Review Process
Business Licences	Regulatory	Firearms Fees Regulations	N/A	N/A	See explanation below
Individual Licences	Regulatory	Firearms Fees Regulations	N/A	N/A	See explanation below
Registration Certificates	Regulatory	Firearms Fees Regulations	N/A	N/A	See explanation below
Authorizations	Regulatory	Firearms Fees Regulations	N/A	N/A	See explanation below
Non-resident Permits	Regulatory	Firearms Fees Regulations	N/A	N/A	RCMP will work with  CBSA to develop consultation mechanism.

Note: The RCMP is reviewing the consultations approach in light of proposed legislative changes.

Table 6: Major Regulatory Initiatives
Regulations	Expected Results
Following Royal Assent in May 2003 of Bill C-10A  (An Act to amend the Firearms Act and Criminal Code), supporting Regulations pertaining to the Bill were tabled in both Houses of Parliament in June 2003. The following have not yet been fully implemented: Gun Show Regulations Firearms Marking Regulations In addition, there remain elements of Regulations that are not yet in force. These are: Public Agents Firearms Regulations, including reporting of firearms inventories held by police and other public agencies Importation and Exportation of Firearms Regulations (Individuals) Importation and Exportation of Firearms Regulations (Businesses)	Implementation of these remaining regulatory amendments will continue through 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 (see note below). The purpose of the amendments to the Firearms Act is to: Facilitate public compliance with the Firearms Program Improve administrative efficiency Reduce costs Meet international obligations

Note: Postponed to allow the incoming government to review and align the regulations to priorities and commitments of revised gun control measures.

Table 7: Status Report on Major Crown Projects

Over the planning period of this RPP, the RCMP will be responsible for the Canadian Firearms Information System (CFIS II) Major Crown Project. Supplementary Information on this project is available online at:

www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/est-pre/20062007/p3a-eng.asp

Canadian Firearms Information System

Description

The Canadian Firearms Information System (CFIS) is a national system designed to support the administration of the Firearms Act. The current system was put into production on December 1, 1998, and is the single repository for licence and registration information for the Firearms Program. Since December 1, 1998, approximately two million licences have been issued and seven million firearms have been registered. CFIS links all elements of the Canadian Firearms Program including the Central Processing Site in Miramichi, New Brunswick. The system interfaces with the Canada Firearms Registry On-line (CFRO), the Firearms Reference Table (FRT) and the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC). 

Project Phase

In February 2005, Treasury Board (TB) provided Effective Project Approval for a redefined and renewed Canadian Firearms Information System (CFIS II). The remaining development and implementation effort for CFIS II, including a four-month operations normalization period, was designated as a Major Crown Project.

In March 2005, a contract amendment was signed between CAFC and the service provider. The contract is a multi-faceted service delivery arrangement that includes two basic components: first, development and implementation of the new CFIS II followed by a 15 year period of system support, maintenance and enhancement capabilities; and secondly, the delivery and support of IT Utilities including servers, telecommunications link, desktops, a high availability/reliability network, connections to CPIC and other systems, and helpdesk services over the 15 year operating period. Delivery of the CFIS II solution was scheduled for December 2005.

Leading and Participating Departments and Agencies
Lead Department:	Canada Firearms Centre
Contracting Authority:	Public Works and Government Services Canada
Participating Departments and Agencies:	Royal Canadian Mounted Police Canada Border Services Agency Department of International Trade

Prime and Major Sub-Contractors
Prime Contractor:	CGI Information Systems and Management  Consultants Inc.
Major Sub-Contractors:	Bell; NexInnovations; Aliant; HP

Major Milestones
Major Milestones	Date
Effective Project Approval for a redefined Canadian Firearms Information System Redesign granted by Treasury Board	February 5, 2005
Contract amendment signed with the service provider	March, 2005
Phased deployment of IT infrastructure	Started December 2005
Certification and implementation of CFIS II	Halted

Progress Report and Explanations of Variances

In August 2005, the service provider notified CAFC that they were unable to meet the implementation date of December 2005. A revised delivery date for the spring of 2006 was proposed along with a phased implementation approach to minimize the risks associated with bringing all of the contracted deliverables in at once. This phase implementation began in December 2005 with the deployment of the new network and desktop equipment.

In January 2006, an application and readiness for acceptance testing was performed on CFIS II by CAFC. It was determined following the test that the application was not ready for acceptance or deployment. PWGSC and the service provider are currently in discussions to determine the next steps.

Industrial Benefits

Not applicable 

Table 8: Details on Transfer Payments Programs
($ millions)	Forecast Spending 2005-2006	Planned Spending 2006-2007	Planned Spending 2007-2008	Planned Spending 2008-2009
Registration, Licensing and Supporting Infrastructure
Contributions			Planned Financial and HR resources for the program are dependent upon passage of Bill C-21 An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act. For this reason, planned spending for 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 are not yet determined.
Contributions to provinces/territories	12.6	13.0
Policy, Regulatory, Communications and Portfolio Integration
Contributions to Aboriginal and other communities and/or organizations (not-for-profit)	0.3	1.0
Total Contributions	12.9	14.0

Table 9: Alternative Service Delivery
Treasury Board Ministers approved the continuation by the Canada Firearms Centre of the Central Processing Site (CPS) operations in Miramichi, New Brunswick, to allow a period of normalized program operations following the implementation of the CFIS II System. The decision to outsource the business operations of the CPS as an Alternative Service Delivery (ASD) will be reconsidered in the 2008-2009 fiscal year.
Name of ASD Initiative	Current Status	Projected Implementation Date	Contact
Canada Firearms Centre – operation of the Central Processing Site (CPS) in Miramichi, New Brunswick	Decision to outsource the business operations at CPS has been deferred to 2008-2009 to allow for a period of normalized operations following implementation of CFIS II.	To be determined following assessment of options.

Information concerning the status of the Alternative Service Delivery (ASD) initiative can be found online at: 

www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/est-pre/20062007/p3a-eng.asp

Table 10: Internal Audits and Evaluations

Planned evaluations for 2006-2007 are as follows:

Internal Audits and Evaluations

At this time the following two evaluations are planned. A Formative Evaluation of the Firearms Funding Program for "Opt-In" Provinces and/or Territories is planned for 2006-2007. A summative evaluation of the Aboriginal and Other Communities and Organizations Funds Program is planned for 2008-2009.

Table 11 : Horizontal Initiatives

Horizontal initiatives are activities in which partners (from one or more organizations) have received program funding and have formally agreed (i.e., Memoranda to Cabinet (MCs), Treasury Board submissions, federal/provincial agreements) to work together to achieve shared outcomes. This horizontality/integration of effort also responds to the growing interest of Canadians and Parliamentarians who wish to better understand how departments contribute and work together to achieve results and outcomes.

Over the planning period of this RPP, the RCMP will deliver the Canadian Firearms Program in conjunction with its partners and other departments.

Horizontal Initiative	Canadian Firearms Program
Name of Lead Department(s):	RCMP
Start Date of the Horizontal Initiative:	December 5, 1995 (Royal Assent)
End Date of the Horizontal Initiative:	Ongoing
Total Federal Funding Allocation:	$1,045 billion from 1995-1996 to 2004-2005 (Total Program-excluding revenues); $82.3 million ongoing starting in 2005-2006 plus compensation for annual collective bargaining increases (CAFC only);Reduction of $10 million to $73.6 million in 2006-2007 allocated to the Firearms Program.
Description of the Horizontal Initiative:	Reduce firearms tragedies, accidental deaths or injuries and the criminal use of firearms by strengthening controls on firearms.
Shared Outcome(s):	Protection of Canadian families and communities.
Governance Structure(s):	Note: For 2005-2006 the Governance structure for the Centre remained unchanged. On May 17, 2006 the Minister of Public Safety announced the transfer of the day-to-day operations of the Canada Firearms Centre and responsibility of the Firearms Program to the RCMP. As part of the transition to the RCMP, a new governance structure will be implemented in 2006/07.

Names of Program	Corporate Management Policing and Law Enforcement
Federal Partners	Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC) – The Department
Total Allocation	Starting in 2003-2004; $266 thousand ongoing
Planned Spending for 2006-2007 (in millions)	$266 thousand
Planned Results for 2006-2007	PSEPC ensures that the Minister, Parliamentarians and senior government officials have the tools and information necessary to carry out their responsibilities with respect to the delivery of the Firearms Program.

Names of Program	Canadian Firearms Program
Federal Partners	Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
Total Allocation	Direct costs are recovered annually
Planned Spending for 2006-2007 (in millions)	$619 thousand for IT platform $92 thousand for CPIC system
Planned Results for 2006-2007	The Canadian Firearms Information System is operated on the RCMP's secure computer network. The RCMP is reimbursed for these services.

Names of Program	Canadian Firearms Program
Federal Partners	RCMP – National Weapons Enforcement Support Team (NWEST)
Total Allocation	Between 2000-2001 to 2002-2003 NWEST funding was included in DOJ/CAFC allocations Starting in 2003-2004, separate allocation appropriated directly to the RCMP for NWEST
Planned Spending for 2006-2007 (in millions)	nil
Planned Results for 2006-2007	NWEST's association with the Firearms program concluded at the end of 2004-2005. Its mandate going forward into 2005-2006 was re-focussed to combating the criminal use of firearms.

Names of Program	Canadian Firearms Program
Federal Partners	Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
Total Allocation	Direct costs are recovered annually
Planned Spending for 2006-2007 (in millions)	$1.7 million
Planned Results for 2006-2007	CBSA is responsible for confirming non-resident firearm declarations, collecting non-resident temporary licence fees, and ensuring that residents who import a firearm into Canada have the appropriate possession licence and a valid registration certificate. CBSA will process 80,000 non-resident confirmations, 6,000 licence verifications, and 110,000 personal firearm importations.

Names of Program	Accommodations related to convictions of firearms offences
Federal Partners	Correctional Service Canada (CSC)
Total Allocation	Between 1995-1996 to March 2002: $5 million in capital costs allocated to CSC Annual projections included in CSC's National Capital Accommodation and Operations Plan (NCAOP): 2002-2003, $7.5 million; 2003-2004 and 2004-2005: $7.5 million; starting in 2005-2006, $8.1 million anticipated annually
Planned Spending for 2006-2007 (in millions)	NCAOP planning assumption: $8.1 million
Planned Results for 2006-2007	CSC continues to anticipate a requirement to accommodate (e.g. housing, provision of health care, food, clothing) the equivalent of approximately 275 bed-years related to convictions of firearms offences under the Criminal Code in their NCAOP. CSC however, does not identify and track the type and number of offenders nor the exact number of bed days used that are linked to the application of firearms legislation. The planned spending assumption included in the amount of NCAOP increased from $7.8 to $8.1 million in recognition of compensation for collective agreements increases throughout the planning period of the RPP.

Names of Program	Quality Conditional release decisions
Federal Partners '	National Parole Board (NPB)
Total Allocation	From 1999-2000 to 2003-2004, NPB annual funding rose gradually from $437 thousand to $842 thousand, reflecting workload pressures. Starting with 2004-2005 and future years NPB planned allocation will amount to $0.9 million annually
Planned Spending for 2006-2007 (in millions)	$0.9 million
Planned Results for 2006-2007	Planned spending requirements are related to changes in the Criminal Code as a result of the Firearms Program which provided longer sentences for offenders with firearms convictions and which were expected to generate additional conditional release reviews. Separate funding allocations were provided to NPB to specifically address workload pressures as a result of legislative change. In this context, by the end of 2005-2006, the Board expects to have completed over 12,200 reviews for offenders with firearms convictions. NPB anticipates to complete 1,400 reviews involving offenders with firearms convictions in 2006-2007, under existing legislative provisions.

Names of Program	Canadian Firearms Program
Federal Partners	Department of Justice(DOJ)
Total Allocation	Starting in 2004-2005, direct costs for IT support, Senior Counsel and legal services were recovered from CAFC
Planned Spending for 2006-2007 (in millions)	$0.8 million for Senior Counsel and Legal services  $0.2 million for infrastructure support
Planned Results for 2006-2007	DOJ provides legal advice, drafting and litigation services to the CAFC. Responsibility for the Criminal Code, including Part III (Firearms and Other Weapons), rests with the Minister of Justice.  As Firearms program is transitioned into the RCMP, infrastructure support will not be required.

Names of Program	Canadian Firearms Program
Federal Partners	Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Total Allocation	One half of an FTE is directed to this activity
Planned Spending for 2006-2007 (in millions)	$45 thousand
Planned Results for 2006-2007	DFAIT issues the permits required to export and import firearms under the Export and Import Permits Act.

Names of Program	Canadian Firearms Program
Federal Partners	Public Works & Government Services Canada (PWGSC)
Total Allocation	Allocation based on accommodation policy and negotiated amounts for on-site project team
Planned Spending for 2006-2007 (in millions)	$2.7 million for accommodation levy $0.1 million for project team
Planned Results for 2006-2007	PWGSC administers the accommodation envelope on behalf of the Federal Government. The accommodation levy is held by central agencies for PWGSC for payment of leases, etc. In addition, PWGSC maintains an on-site project team to assist in contractual matters. The amount of accommodation levy will be adjusted to reflect a reduced salary allotment as the Program is transitioned into RCMP operations. PWGSC Project team is depended upon future decision of CFIS II.

Names of Program	Canadian Firearms Program
Federal Partners	Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC)
Total Allocation	Internal allocation
Planned Spending for 2006-2007 (in millions)	$92.8 thousand
Planned Results for 2006-2007	Investigation of complaints from Access to Information requesters seeking information concerning the Firearms Program. OIC anticipates utilization of 1,200 hours annually to investigate these complaints.

Names of Program	Canadian Firearms Program
Federal Partners	Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC)
Total Allocation
Planned Spending for 2006-2007 (in millions)	$0.0
Planned Results for 2006-2007	Investigation of complaints associated with the Firearms Program.

Names of Program	Canadian Firearms Program
Federal Partners	Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS)
Total Allocation	Allocation is based on direction provided by TBS in annual reporting guidelines
Planned Spending for 2006-2007 (in millions)	$1.7 million
Planned Results for 2006-2007	Contributions covering the Government's share of employees' insurance premiums and expenditures such as the Public Service Health Plan and the Public Service Dental Plan. This contribution is separate from Employee Benefits Plan calculations that are reported in the Public Accounts of Canada by Departments.

Results to be achieved by Non-Federal Partners (if applicable): CAFC has developed service delivery models with the provinces for delivery of program activities within their jurisdiction. Funding priorities and activities will focus on the delivery and administration of the Firearms Act and the associated Canadian Firearms Program. 

The delivery of the Program includes, but is not limited to, the following activities:

• Issuance, renewal and revocation of firearms licences
• Approval of certain transfers of firearms
• Issuance of Authorizations to Transport and Authorizations to Carry
• Inspection of firearm-related businesses
• Approval of shooting ranges
• Safety education and training

Table 12: Canadian Firearms Program: Federal Government Costs and Anticipated Planned Spending Requirements
Organization ($ millions)	Past Expenditure (1995-1996 to 2004-2005)	Forecast Spending 2005-2006	Planned Spending 2006-2007	Planned Spending 2007-2008	Planned Spending 2008-2009
Direct Costs:
Canada Firearms Centre	611.2	52.2	58.6
Other Federal Government Departments  (costs reimbursed by CAFC):
Canada Border Services Agency	18.9	1.7	1.7	Planned Financial and HR resources for the program are dependent upon passage of Bill C-21 An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act. For this reason, planned spending for 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 are not yet determined.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police	114.4	2.8	0.7
Department of Justice	1.0	0.2	1.0
Public Works and Government Services Canada	1.6	0.1	0.1
Human Resources Development Canada	32.7	0.0	0.0
Transfer payments to Provinces	179.7	11.2	11.2
Contribution payments to Aboriginal Communities,  Other Communities	1.5	0.3	0.3
Total Direct Costs:	961.0	68.5	73.6
Costs not reimbursed by Canada Firearms Centre:
Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Canada	0.9	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3
Royal Canadian Mounted Police	4.3	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Royal Canadian Mounted Police – NWEST	8.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Canada Border Services Agency	7.4	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Correctional Service Canada	28.1	8.1	8.1	8.1	8.1
National Parole Board	4.2	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9
Department of Justice	10.6	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
International Trade Canada	0.4	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Public Works & Government Services Canada	12.3	1.9	2.7	2.7	2.7
Other	7.4	1.8	1.7	1.7	1.7
Total Indirect Costs:	84.1	13.5	13.7	13.7	13.7
Total Program Costs	1,045.1	82.0	87.3
Net Revenues (1)	(98.7)	(21.9)	(4.3)	(4.3)	(24.6)
Net Program Costs	946.4	60.1	83.0

1. Revenues are credited to the Consolidated Revenue Fund and are not available as offsets to expenditures.
Note: Please refer to Table on Horizontal Initiatives for explanations of expected results, planned spending and indirect costs not reimbursed by CAFC reported by the Centre's federal partners to substantiate estimated planned spending requirements related to the delivery of their portion of the Firearms Program. Expenditures are rounded to the nearest one hundred thousand, e.g. $75,000 is rounded up to $0.1 million, and $45,000 is rounded down to $0.0 million.

 

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