Details on transfer payment programs
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List of acronyms and abbreviations
- CPC
- Canadian Police College
- IM/IT
- information management / information technology
- RCMP
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
List of tables
- Table 1: Contributions to the provinces and territories and to Aboriginal and/or other communities and organizations (not-for-profit) - Financial information
- Table 2: Grant to Compensate Members of the RCMP for Injuries Received in the Performance of Duty - Financial information
- Table 3: Pensions under the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pension Continuation Act (Statutory) - Financial information
- Table 4: Grant to Promote Law Enforcement through Crime Prevention, Training, and Public Relations - Financial information
Transfer payment programs with total planned spending of $5 million or more
Contributions to the provinces and to Aboriginal and/or other communities and organizations (not-for-profit) (voted)
Start date
December 18, 1997, for Firearms Funding Program for Opt-in Provinces
December 1, 1998, for Aboriginal and/or Other Communities and Organizations (Not-For-Profit) Contribution Funding Program
End date
Ongoing
Type of transfer payment
Contribution
Type of appropriation
Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions
The terms and conditions for the Firearms Funding Program for Opt-in Provinces were renewed by the former Minister of Public Safety in November 2023.
The Canadian Firearms Program is presently reviewing the 2012-13 terms and conditions for the program for Aboriginal and/or Other Communities and Organizations.
Link to departmental result(s)
Modern specialized police services and technologies support law enforcement and the public
Link to the department’s program inventory
Canadian Firearms Licensing and Registration
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program
Firearms Funding Program for “Opt-in” Provinces
Section 95 of the Firearms Act allows the Minister of Public Safety, with the approval of the Governor in Council, to enter into agreements with provinces that opt to designate a Chief Firearms Officer to administer certain aspects of the firearms regulatory regime, and to compensate them for eligible, actual administrative costs incurred in the delivery of firearms services, up to the maximum amounts set in the agreements, including for:
- firearms licences for individuals and businesses
- transfers of prohibited or restricted firearms
- authorizations to transport and authorizations to carry firearms
- authorizations for shooting clubs and shooting ranges
- designating instructors to deliver firearms safety training
Aboriginal and/or Other Communities and Organizations
The Aboriginal and/or Other Communities and Organizations funding program supports Canadian Firearms Program collaboration with Indigenous communities and groups and not-for-profit organizations to provide information, training and other services to promote firearms safety and compliance with the Firearms Act.
Results achieved
Firearms Funding Program for Opt-in Provinces
During the reporting period, the 7 opt-in provincial Chief Firearms Officers issued 394,464 new and renewed licences: 393,666 to individuals and 798 to businesses and museums. They also refused 1,273 applicants and revoked 3,846 licences.
Aboriginal and/or Other Communities and Organizations
The Canadian Firearms Program is implementing a strategy to better promote the Aboriginal and/or Other Communities and Organizations program and utilize this contribution funding, including enhanced communications, outreach and modernization of the program terms and conditions and other enhancements.
Findings of audits completed in 2024-25
No audit was completed during the reporting period.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2024-25
In fiscal year 2024–25, RCMP Internal Audit, Evaluation and Review completed an evaluation of the Firearms Funding Program for Opt-in Provinces and Territories and Aboriginal and/or Other Communities and Organizations agreements. The evaluation found, overall, that the contribution program allowed the opt-in provinces to effectively administer the Firearms Act. Recent changes have made the program more equitable and effective; however, the RCMP could explore options to make the processing of payments more efficient. It was also recommended that the Canadian Firearms program explore options to better utilize Aboriginal and/or Other Communities and Organizations funding.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024-25:
Firearms Funding Program for Opt-in Provinces
Provincial and territorial Chief Firearms Officers met regularly with the RCMP Canadian Firearms Program to discuss operational matters and attended an annual meeting to discuss emerging issues relating to the administration of the Firearms Act. Managers from Chief Firearms Officers’ offices across Canada took part in monthly teleconferences to promote dialogue and consistency in business operations.
Aboriginal and/or Other Communities and Organizations
The Canadian Firearms Program is implementing a strategy to better promote the Aboriginal and/or Other Communities and Organizations program and utilize this contribution funding, including enhanced communications, outreach and modernization of the program terms and conditions and other enhancements.
Table 1: Financial information (dollars) - Contributions to the provinces and to Aboriginal and/or other communities and organizations (not-for-profit) (voted)
| Type of transfer payment | 2022–23 actual spending | 2023-24 actual spending | 2024-25 planned spending | 2024-25 total authorities available for use | 2024-25 actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2024-25 actual minus 2024-25 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 88,259 | 62,848,122 | 20,584,000 | 58,317,666 | 16,876,159 | -3,707,841 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 88,259 | 62,848,122 | 20,584,000 | 58,317,666 | 16,876,159 | -3,707,841 |
Explanation of variances
The $41.4 million variance between total authorities available for use and actual spending was mainly due to the following:
- Unsigned agreements by the "opt-in" province of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec (the lapse covers the fiscal years 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25) and the Alberta transitional agreement for the fiscal year 2021-22, in total of $34.2 million.
- Approximately $6.8 million associated with a province of Ontario agreement for the fiscal year 2023-24 due to delays in acquiring the necessary authorities to issue the payments.
- Approximately $0.3 million associated with Aboriginal and/or Other Communities and Organizations. This occurred as less indigenous communities applied for funding as part of Aboriginal and/or Other Communities and Organizations.
The $3.7 million variance between actual spending and planned spending was mainly due to an unsigned agreement by the "opt-in" provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Pensions under the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pension Continuation Act (Statutory)
Start date
1959
End date
Ongoing, so long as there are remaining plan members and survivors
Type of transfer payment
Statutory grant
Type of appropriation
Through statutory authority named “Pension under the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pension Continuation Act”
Fiscal year for terms and conditions
Not applicable
Link to departmental result(s)
- Canada and Canadian interests are safe and secure against serious and complex criminal threats.
- Canada’s most fundamental democratic and social institutions are secured through ensuring safety and security of protected persons, sites, government-led events and Canadian air carriers.
- Modern specialized police services and technologies support law enforcement and the public.
- The RCMP provides modern contract policing services.
- Improved relationships with and outcomes for Indigenous people.
Link to the department’s program inventory
Federal Policing Intelligence, Federal Policing Investigations, Federal Policing National Governance, International Operations, Protective Operations, Canadian Firearms Investigative and Enforcement Services, Canadian Firearms Licensing and Registration, Canadian Police College, Criminal Intelligence Service Canada, Departmental Security, Forensic Science and Identification Services, National Cybercrime Coordination Unit, Operational IM/IT Services, Sensitive and Specialized Investigative Services, Specialized Technical Investigative Services, Contract and Indigenous Policing Operations Support, Force Generation, Indigenous Policing, Municipal Policing, and Provincial/Territorial Policing.
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program
The Pension Continuation Act is a defined benefit pension plan whose purpose is to provide a lifetime benefit for RCMP members and, at their option through a separate Fund, their survivors. It provides for the payment of pensions to Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Constables engaged prior to March 1, 1949, except those who elected to come under the RCMP Superannuation Act. The Pension Continuation Act is predecessor to this act.
Results achieved
Eligible RCMP pensioners and survivors received their appropriate benefits.
Findings of audits completed in 2024-25
Not applicable
Findings of evaluations completed in 2024-25
There are currently no plans to evaluate this grant program in the near term. A risk-based approach is used when developing the multi-year departmental audit and evaluation plan. This approach takes into consideration the risks associated with activities undertaken in support of RCMP grant and contribution programs. An audit and/or evaluation will be undertaken if warranted by the results of a risk assessment.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024-25:
Not applicable – All plan participants are either existing pensioners or survivors. There will be no new pensioners entering the plan. Current pensioners and survivors receive correspondence via the Government of Canada Pension Centre.
Table 2: Financial information (dollars) - Pensions under the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pension Continuation Act (Statutory)
| Type of transfer payment | 2022–23 actual spending | 2023-24 actual spending | 2024-25 planned spending | 2024-25 total authorities available for use | 2024-25 actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2024-25 actual minus 2024-25 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 3,511,604 | 2,671,850 | 5,000,000 | 2,208,201 | 2,208,201 | -2,791,799 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 3,511,604 | 2,671,850 | 5,000,000 | 2,208,201 | 2,208,201 | -2,791,799 |
Explanation of variances
The variance between actual spending and planned spending is due a decline in the population eligible for this pension. Due to the difficulty in predicting mortality rates, planned spending has been historically higher than actual spending. Planned spending, as published in the Departmental Plan, will continue to be reviewed and revised as required based on observed trends.
Transfer payment programs with total planned spending of less than $5 million
Grant to Promote Law Enforcement through Crime Prevention, Training, and Public Relations (Voted)
Start date
Treasury Board Decision of August 1984 approved transfer payment program without conditions on an ongoing basis
End date
Ongoing
Type of transfer payment
Grant
Type of appropriation
Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions
Approval of the amended terms and conditions of the RCMP transfer payment program, published in the Main Estimates under the title of “Grant to Promote Law Enforcement through Crime Prevention, Training and Public Relations”, was obtained April 26, 2012.
Link to departmental result(s)
- Canada and Canadian interests are safe and secure against serious and complex criminal threats.
- Canada’s most fundamental democratic and social institutions are secured through ensuring safety and security of protected persons, sites, government-led events and Canadian air carriers.
- Modern specialized police services and technologies support law enforcement and the public.
- The RCMP provides modern contract policing services.
- Improved relationships with and outcomes for Indigenous people.
Link to the department’s program inventory
International Operations, Canadian Police College, Contract and Indigenous Policing Operations Support, and Provincial/Territorial Policing
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program
The program supports lateral initiatives related to law enforcement, public relations, and relationship building with communities, and provides grants to not-for-profit organizations for the purpose of crime prevention, crime awareness, and training.
Attendance at a training or developmental activity offered by the Canadian Police College by personnel of Canadian police services other than the RCMP increases the level of competencies within the national police community. Attendance by personnel of foreign police services at a training or developmental activity offered by the Canadian Police College facilitates international relationships to advance Canadian investigations abroad and combat transnational criminality. It also offers opportunities for police personnel from different jurisdictions to share skills and techniques, and to network in the advancement of policing techniques to a nationally consistent level.
Family Violence Initiative Fund
Since 2004, the Family Violence Initiative Fund has funded 509 initiatives in communities across Canada with the objective of:
- preventing high risk groups from re-offending;
- fostering prevention in Indigenous communities;
- promoting public awareness of relationship and family violence through conferences, seminars, presentations or workshops;
- assisting victims of crime;
- supporting male survivors of physical, psychological, and sexualized trauma through the provision of individual therapy, group therapy, and Victim Services support; and
- fostering RCMP law enforcement and prevention programs
The Troop 17 Scholarship recognizes students who have made significant efforts toward the prevention of bullying and harassment in their schools and/or communities. The creation of this scholarship was part of the Merlo-Davidson class action settlement agreement and is one of the initiatives the RCMP has implemented to help promote diversity and inclusion and prevent harassment. Up to 5 scholarships in the amount of $1,000 are awarded annually to full-time college or university students.
Results achieved
The Canadian Police College (CPC)
In the 2024–25 fiscal year, the Travel Grant proved advantageous for 86 of its police services partners, resulting in a total expenditure of $488,611.74 for 669 participants. The 2023-24 period recorded a total of 640 beneficiaries from 87 agencies and organizations.
Family Violence Initiative Fund
Each year, the Vulnerable Persons Unit distributes grant funding through the RCMP Family Violence Initiative Fund. Funding is made available to detachments, non-profit community organizations and municipal, provincial and territorial partners to support initiatives which address the problem of family violence. The Family Violence Initiative Fund supports initiatives in 3 categories: family and relationship violence, victims’ issues and sexual assault investigator training.
The 2024-25 funding cycle resulted in a total of 129 applications being submitted from across the country and a total of over $2.1 million in funding being requested. The Family Violence Initiative Fund approved a total of 20 initiatives representing all participating detachments that promote awareness of relationship issues and family violence, assist victims of family and relationship violence and foster crime prevention in Indigenous communities for a total of $339,400 in grant funding being distributed to successful applicants.
Troop 17 Scholarship
A total of 20 applications were received for the Troop 17 Scholarship application period, 18 of which met the criteria to be considered for the scholarship. Five students from across Canada were recipients of a $1,000 scholarship, representing: British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island. More information can be found here: Troop 17 Scholarship.
Findings of audits completed in 2024-25
There are currently no plans to audit this grant/contribution program in the near term. A risk-based approach is used when developing the multi-year departmental audit and evaluation plan. This approach takes into consideration the risks associated with activities undertaken in support of RCMP grant and contribution programs. An audit will be undertaken if warranted by the results of a risk assessment.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2024-25
There are currently no plans to evaluate this grant/contribution program in the near term. A risk-based approach is used when developing the multi-year departmental audit and evaluation plan. This approach takes into consideration the risks associated with activities undertaken in support of RCMP grant and contribution programs. An evaluation will be undertaken if warranted by the results of a risk assessment.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024-25:
The Troop 17 Scholarship is advertised through RCMP National Youth Services’ monthly Fast Facts newsletter, as well as the RCMP social media accounts and internal rotator. Divisions and detachments can apply for grant funding through the RCMP Family Violence Initiative Fund on the RCMP Infoweb. Divisions and detachments are responsible for encouraging community partners to take advantage of the fund.
Table 3: Financial information (dollars) - Grant to Promote Law Enforcement through Crime Prevention, Training, and Public Relations (Voted)
| Type of transfer payment | 2022–23 actual spending | 2023-24 actual spending | 2024-25 planned spending | 2024-25 total authorities available for use | 2024-25 actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2024-25 actual minus 2024-25 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 916,239 | 943,878 | 1,375,000 | 1,025,000 | 962,512 | -412,488 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 916,239 | 943,878 | 1,375,000 | 1,025,000 | 962,512 | -412,488 |
Explanation of variances
There are several elements of the Law Enforcement Grant managed by different areas within the RCMP. In 2024-25, the majority of expenditures were consumed by the Canadian Police College (93% of their portion) and Contract and Indigenous Policing (their portion fully consumed). The variance between planned versus actual spending is primarily related to funding ($375,000) for the RCMP’s Indigenous Co-Development, Collaboration and Accountability grant approved through the Addressing Systemic Racism initiative, which was not disbursed in 2024-25 due to pending Terms & Conditions.
RCMP Survivor Income Plan (Voted)
Start date
1980
End date
Ongoing
Type of transfer payment
Grant
Type of appropriation
Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions
Approval of the updated terms and conditions of the RCMP Survivor Income Plan was obtained in April 2022.
Link to departmental result(s)
- Canada and Canadian interests are safe and secure against serious and complex criminal threats.
- Canada’s most fundamental democratic and social institutions are secured through ensuring safety and security of protected persons, sites, government-led events and Canadian air carriers.
- Modern specialized police services and technologies support law enforcement and the public.
- The RCMP provides modern contract policing services.
- Improved relationships with and outcomes for Indigenous people.
Link to the department’s program inventory
Federal Policing Intelligence, Federal Policing Investigations, International Operations, Protective Operations, Canadian Firearms Investigative and Enforcement Services, Canadian Police College, Criminal Intelligence Service Canada, Forensic Science and Identification Services, Sensitive and Specialized Investigative Services, Specialized Technical Investigative Services, Contract and Indigenous Policing Operations Support, Indigenous Policing, Municipal Policing, and Provincial/Territorial Policing
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program
The Survivor Income Plan provides compensation to survivors of Regular and Civilian Members who suffer a duty-related death and was designed to replicate an income level for survivors equal to that which the member would have received had they survived.
Results achieved
Eligible survivors of Regular and Civilian Members who suffer a duty-related death received their appropriate pension benefits.
Findings of audits completed in 2024-25
There was no audit of this grant/contribution program completed during this time frame.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2024-25
There are currently no plans to evaluate this grant program in the near term. A risk-based approach is used when developing the multi-year departmental audit and evaluation plan. This approach takes into consideration the risks associated with activities undertaken in support of RCMP grant and contribution programs. An audit and/or evaluation will be undertaken if warranted by the results of a risk assessment.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024-25:
Not applicable
Table 4: Financial information (dollars) – RCMP Survivor Income Plan (Voted)
| Type of transfer payment | 2022–23 actual spending | 2023-24 actual spending | 2024-25 planned spending | 2024-25 total authorities available for use | 2024-25 actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2024-25 actual minus 2024-25 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 2,610,676 | 2,629,010 | 2,586,483 | 2,936,484 | 2,783,454 | 196,971 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 2,610,676 | 2,629,010 | 2,586,483 | 2,936,484 | 2,783,454 | 196,971 |
Explanation of variances
Planned spending for this grant is based on the Main Estimates allocation and expenditures are based on payments to survivors and dependents of members who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Given the nature of policing, deaths in the line of duty are difficult to predict, which results in an annual variance between the planned and actual spending for this grant.
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