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Security capacity-building programs

The security of Canada is linked to that of other states. Preventing and responding to terrorism and transnational crime requires resources and expertise. When foreign states lack these resources, it can put the security of Canadians and Canadian interests at risk, both at home and abroad.

Security capacity-building assistance also increases law enforcement cooperation between Canada and other countries, as well as strengthens regional cooperation to build a stronger more resilient global neighbourhood.

Security capacity-building assistance helps other states prevent and respond to threats. It takes many forms, but consists mainly of providing:

Such assistance is provided in a way that is consistent with international anti-crime and counter-terrorism norms, standards and obligations, including human rights and gender equality considerations.

Canada’s security capacity-building programs

Global Affairs Canada established two programs to improve the capacity of states to counter terrorism and transnational organized crime:

To help states build their local security capacity, the programs work with various implementing partners such as:

Confronting criminal and terrorist threats

The beneficiaries of these programs are mainly countries and regions confronting criminal and terrorist threats but who lack the capacity and resources to do so effectively. Programming activities of the ACCBP and CTCBP include:

Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program

The Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program works to improve the capacity of beneficiary states, government entities and international organizations to deal with transnational crime. The mandate of the anti-crime program is global, but focuses on the Americas, mainly Central America, the Caribbean and Mexico.

The ACCBP also administers the Canadian annual voluntary contributions to the Organization of American States (OAS) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program focuses on:

The Human Smuggling Envelope

The Human Smuggling Envelope was created under the ACCBP to address the threat posed to Canadian interests by human smuggling, and is focused solely on preventing maritime migrant smuggling bound for Canada. It works to increase the capacity of local authorities in both origin and transit countries to disrupt, interdict and deter human smuggling ventures. The focus of this envelope has mostly been on Southeast Asia, with additional programming in West Africa.

Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program

The Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program provides assistance to foreign states to enable them to prevent and respond to terrorist activity. It supports global efforts to fight terrorism and address terrorist threats to Canadians and Canadian interests throughout the world.

The Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program focuses on:

While the program has a global mandate, acute threats to Canada and Canadian interests have pushed the program to focus on several geographic areas.

Sahel region of Africa

In the Sahel region of Africa, the threat posed by terror groups, notably Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), and an overall deteriorating security situation, calls for increased capacity building efforts to help partner states address instability in the region.

Middle East and North Africa

As part of Canada’s response to Middle East crises and violent extremism, a provision for counter-terrorism capacity building has been included for the Middle East and North Africa region. The program focuses on Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan, but is flexible and responsive to the fast evolving security vulnerabilities in the region.

South and Southeast Asia

Longstanding security threats posed by violent extremist groups in Asia, notably in South and Southeast Asian countries, also require continued Canadian engagement.

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