Annual Report of the Federal Witness Protection Program 2025–2026

Introduction

This is the 30th annual report on the federal Witness Protection Program (WPP, or Program), provided to the Minister of Public Safety by June 30, 2026, in accordance with section 16 of the Witness Protection Program Act (WPPA).

The Commissioner^{footnote 1} of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is designated as the administrator of the Program and determines whether a witness should be admitted to the Program. As set out in the WPPA, the mandate of the WPP is to promote law enforcement, national security, national defense, and public safety by facilitating the protection of witnesses where there is a risk to their security.

Witness protection is an effective tool in combatting serious and organized crime. It is essential that the Canadian public has the confidence to provide information or assistance to law enforcement and security agencies without the fear of retribution or retaliation.

The activities and figures included in this report are based on the services provided by the Program between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026. To avoid jeopardizing the safety and security of protectees, and persons who provide protection, the information in this report has been provided at the aggregate level. This report strives to provide as much information as possible to the Canadian public without compromising the effectiveness and security of the Program, protected persons, and Canadians.

Program activities

The WPP provides protection to witnesses whose security is at risk for having assisted or agreed to assist in a matter relating to an inquiry or the investigation or prosecution of an offence. Protection can also be extended to a parent, child, or anyone whose security may be at risk due to their relationship or association with those witnesses.

The Program is available to law enforcement agencies, federal security, defense, and safety organizations across Canada, including designated provincial or municipal programs,^{footnote 2} as well as international criminal courts and tribunals and trusted international law enforcement agencies.^{footnote 3}

In the 2025–26 reporting period, the Program assessed 13 cases^{footnote 4} for admission, based on factors set out in section 7 of the WPPA:

1. the nature of the risk to the security of the witness;
2. the danger to the community if the witness is admitted to the Program;
3. the nature of the inquiry, investigation or prosecution involving the witness — or the nature of the assistance given or agreed to be given by the witness to a federal security, defense or safety organization — and the importance of the witness in the matter;
4. the value of the witness’s participation or of the information, evidence or assistance given or agreed to be given by the witness;
5. the likelihood of the witness being able to adjust to the Program, having regard to the witness’s maturity, judgment and other personal characteristics and the family relationships of the witness;
6. the cost of maintaining the witness in the Program;
7. alternate methods of protecting the witness without admitting them to the Program; and
8. such other factors as the Commissioner deems relevant.

All assessed cases originated from referrals by the RCMP. Figure 1 provides a representation of the yearly distribution of requests.

In addition to formal referrals, the Program also responds to requests for consultation, providing expert guidance and support to law enforcement, security and defence agencies in assessing suitability and threat considerations related to witness protection. In the 2025–26 reporting period, the Program completed 35 consultations.

A witness who receives protection under the Program is referred to as a protectee. The level and type of assistance and protection provided depends on the circumstances of a protectee and may include relocation, accommodation, change of identity, as well as counselling and financial support to ensure their security and facilitate their re-establishment and reintegration in the community. Protectees are required to meet certain obligations, such as providing all information or evidence required by the investigation or prosecution, meeting all financial and legal obligations, and refraining from activities that constitute an offence against an Act of Parliament or activities that could compromise their security, other protectees, or the Program itself. During the 2025–26 reporting period, 7 witnesses were admitted to the WPP.

During the same period, no witnesses were provided alternate methods of protection by the WPP, and 12 individuals refused all forms of protection. Alternate methods of protection may be provided in cases where individuals refuse to be considered for admission to the WPP or are found to be inadmissible as determined by section 7 of the WPPA. Reasons for an individual’s refusal can include their unwillingness to accept police protection, or to abide by obligations outlined in a protection agreement, such as the requirement to relocate.

It is important to note that the WPP’s admission considerations are independent from investigations. While the value of a witness’ participation in an investigation is a factor that is considered for their admission to the Program, investigators are not involved in the admission process. This ensures the Program maintains independence from investigations and its primary focus is the security and safety of protectees and persons who provide protection.

While protectees may be admitted to the Program for life, financial assistance is not open-ended and is provided only for a defined period based on individual circumstances. Participation is voluntary and a protectee may request that the Commissioner terminate the protection provided by the WPP at any time. This is referred to as a voluntary termination of protection. Reasons that a protectee may request protection be terminated may include a desire to proceed with their lives without WPP involvement, or to return to a threat area. In 2025–26, 14 protectees voluntarily requested termination from the WPP.

Conversely, a protectee may be subject to a non-voluntary termination of protection if there is evidence of a protectee’s material misrepresentation or a failure to disclose information relevant to their admission to the Program, or a protectee’s deliberate and material contravention of their obligations under the protection agreement (section 9 of the WPPA). In 2025–26, 1 protectee was subject to non-voluntary termination of protection.

Figure 2 represents the intake and disposition summary for the Program in 2025–26.

Ongoing responsibilities and protectee support

While referrals, admissions, refusals, and terminations provide a small snapshot of annual activity, they do not fully reflect the ongoing and complex work of the WPP. Supporting protectees is a continuous, resource-intensive responsibility that extends far beyond initial Program admission.

Prior to Program admission, the WPP manages individuals under Emergency Protection for periods of up to 180 days. The Emergency Protection phase is particularly intensive, requiring heightened oversight, coordination, and dedicated resources to ensure immediate safety and stability.

Admission to the Program may be long term, and in some cases, lifelong. Protectees require sustained support, including regular check-ins, coordination of services, security-related arrangements, and responsive assistance as circumstances evolve. Even after financial support has ended, protectees may request assistance at any time to access support related to maintaining their secure identity.

Importantly, the WPP’s obligations do not end upon a protectee’s termination from the Program. In accordance with the WPPA, the Program retains an ongoing responsibility to safeguard the secure identity of former protectees. This includes ensuring that sensitive information remains protected and that appropriate measures are in place to mitigate risks to their safety. Former protectees may also re-engage with the Program at any time to request assistance related to their secure identity, reflecting the enduring nature of the Program’s mandate.

As a result, the WPP’s role is not defined by fixed timelines, but by an enduring commitment to protectees that can span many years, and potentially a lifetime.

Evolving risks and response

The risk environment for the WPP continues to evolve, shaped by rapid advancements in technology, including artificial intelligence, and the increasing reach and sophistication of threat actors. Digital tools can be leveraged to identify, track, or exploit individuals at unprecedented speed and scale, increasing the complexity of maintaining secure identities and safe environments.

In response, the Program is strengthening its capacity in the digital domain, including enhanced expertise in online risk mitigation and secure information practices. A key component of this effort is the development and rollout of a digital security education program designed to equip protectees with practical guidance to reduce exposure in an increasingly connected world. The Program is also engaging with international partners to share insights and align approaches to these emerging risks, recognizing that digital threats often extend beyond national borders.

Transparency and accountability

To ensure transparency and accountability, the Commissioner of the RCMP is legislatively mandated to submit a public annual report on the operation of the Program to the Minister of Public Safety, no later than June 30 of each year. The report is prepared and tabled in Parliament in accordance with section 16 of the WPPA.

In 2013, the Program created the Witness Protection Program Advisory Committee (WPPAC) to provide independent, expert advice to the Commissioner (and by extension, the Program) on a wide range of complex issues and to enhance the accountability of a program that is necessarily discrete, by acting as one of its only external review mechanisms. The Committee produces an annual report to the Commissioner and forms its findings and observations around the Program’s three pillars:

1. Protectee-focus: Ensuring the Program’s service delivery places protectees at the forefront of decision-making by addressing protectee needs to ensure their security, safety, and re-establishment.
2. Program independence: Ensuring the integrity of the WPP, which requires the Program to be independent from investigative or prosecutorial interests.
3. Program standards: Supporting consistent decision-making and professional, standardized service for all witnesses.

The Committee’s eighth report to the Commissioner highlights the Program’s continued progress in strengthening its structure, operations, and support for both protectees and personnel. It commends key improvements in governance, training, and employee wellness, noting these efforts enhance accountability, decision‑making, and overall program effectiveness. The Committee encourages continued advancement in data collection, research and analysis, equity and inclusion, and collaboration with domestic and international partners to ensure the Program remains modern, responsive, and aligned with best practices.

Complaints, civil and criminal litigation

During this reporting period, there were no new civil litigation cases filed, and no public complaints made against the WPP.^{footnote 5}

Protectees may be required to testify in court. As such, the WPP is regularly required to disclose materials related to witnesses in court proceedings. It is essential to protect any information about a protected person’s location and change of identity; the means and methods by which they are protected; and the identity and role of persons who directly or indirectly assist in providing protection. This information is prohibited from disclosure under section 11 of the WPPA.

During the reporting period, no new cases were recorded relating to criminal files which required protected disclosure by the Program, however the Program remains engaged with criminal files and civil litigation claims from previous reporting years. Furthermore, the Program is required to disclose WPP material pertaining to claims filed against investigative units. In 2025–26, Program personnel met the disclosure requirements of all ongoing files.

Effectiveness of the WPP

The WPP reports that no individual protectees were injured or killed by threat actors during the reporting period.

The WPP contributes to the ability to take enforcement actions against serious and organized crime, financial crime, and national security threats, and contributes to the RCMP’s mandate of keeping Canadians safe.

Expenditures

The WPP is administered by the RCMP and funded from within the RCMP budget. A table of costs for the 2025–26 fiscal year is provided in Table 1 below. It includes wages and benefits for personnel, travel costs, administrative and protectee expenses totaling $14.6M.

These costs do not consider expenses incurred by other law enforcement agencies, including other domestic and international witness protection programs.

Summary

The WPP remains an active and essential tool in supporting law enforcement, national security, and public safety in Canada. Over the 2025–26 reporting period, the Program continued to facilitate critical investigations by enabling witnesses to safely provide information without fear of retaliation. Demand for services remains steady, reflecting the Program’s ongoing relevance in addressing serious and organized crime, as well as broader security threats.

Beyond admissions and case decisions, the WPP’s work is defined by sustained, resource‑intensive engagement with protectees. Ongoing care, including emergency protection, relocation, identity management, and long‑term support, requires continuous coordination and commitment. The Program continues to collaborate closely with domestic and international partners to ensure effective, modern, and responsive service delivery, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of Canada’s public safety framework.