The department is committed to enhancing the public safety, security and emergency preparedness of Canadians in an open society. There are three priorities to accomplish this: protecting the security of Canada and Canadians through emergency management and national security; fighting serious and organized crime through policing, law enforcement and interoperability; and enhancing community safety and security through community safety and partnerships.

Through the implementation of an integrated all-hazards approach to the national emergency management system to address the challenges of the current risk environment, the Department engages in activities in an effort to save lives, preserve the environment, and protect property and the economy. The national emergency management system is comprised of four interdependent, risk-based functions, or pillars: prevention/mitigation; preparedness; response; and recovery.

The Department has continued to make progress on developing policies and strengthening coordination activities with federal, provincial and foreign policing and public safety organizations to enhance their capabilities to combat serious and organized crime. Under the National Agenda to Combat Organized Crime, and bolstered by cooperation with the U.S. under the umbrella of the Canada-U.S. Cross Border Crime Forum, efforts are focused on such areas as marijuana grow-operations and clandestine crystal methamphetamine labs; fraud; economic crime; organized crime; cyber crime; and human trafficking. The Department also played a significant policy development role in the area of transportation security and border integrity, including strengthening the public safety components of Canada's immigration program.

Public Safety Canada aims to improve the safety and security of Canadians in partnership with communities through crime prevention, Aboriginal policing and effective corrections. This is achieved by developing, funding and evaluating crime reduction and crime prevention strategies and programs, facilitating the negotiation and implementation of agreements with provinces and First Nations for policing services in First Nations communities, and developing evidence-based corrections policy to support the safe custody and reintegration of offenders.

Public Safety Canada's National Crime Prevention Centre (NCPC) is responsible for implementing the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS). The NCPC work provides national leadership on effective and cost-effective ways to prevent and reduce crime by intervening on the risk factors before crime happens. The approach is to promote the implementation of effective crime prevention practices.

NCPC works closely with partners and stakeholders in the provinces and territories to develop and implement results-driven programs that target specific crime issues in regions and communities across Canada. The Centre also provides communities with tools, knowledge and support to undertake crime prevention initiatives in communities large and small across Canada.