QUESTION PERIOD — Public Safety
Cybercrime
June 6, 2024
Senator Gold, I would like to build on some of the findings from the Auditor General’s report this week on combatting cybercrime.
We were informed that victims of fraud reported financial losses totalling $531 million to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre in 2022 and that three quarters of these reports were cybercrime related. What is most concerning is that in the centre’s estimation, only 5 to 10% of cybercrimes are reported.
My question is twofold. First, what is the government doing to ensure we have the adequate deterrence measures and protective safeguards in place to reduce cybercriminality? Second, is the government engaged in any education or awareness campaigns to help Canadians navigate the complex world of online fraud and cyber-threats?
Thank you for your questions, senator. The government recognizes the importance of strengthening Canada’s capacity to counter cybercrime. To that end, in 2020, the government provided the RCMP with approximately $137.5 billion to establish the National Cybercrime Coordination Centre to work with domestic and international law enforcement, and other partners, to investigate and combat cybercrime. They also note that the RCMP has invested an additional $78.9 million to increase its federal policing capacity, including establishing specialist cybercrime teams across the country. As well, Bill C-26, an act respecting cybersecurity, is currently making its way through Parliament. Its provisions will give the government additional tools to protect Canada’s critical infrastructure systems from cyber-threats.
With regards to the second part of your question, I’ve also been informed that in the coming months the government will launch Canada’s new national cybersecurity strategy. It will outline a strengthened whole-of-society approach to protect our economic interests from such cyber-threats.
Thank you for those answers. The auditor found that some authorities did not have the capacity to effectively enforce laws intended to protect Canadians from the growing volume and sophistication of cybercrime. Can you provide us with an update on the Department of Finance’s work on the data governance review? How might it benefit Canadians and help cyber resiliency? As part of its cybersecurity strategy, the government announced the launch of the data governance review in Budget 2024.
Thank you for your questions. I’m not in a position to provide an update on the proposed review, but I do understand that the review will be focused on best practices for cybersecurity as well as on identifying areas to improve and build on our resiliency in this area.
