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C: Approximately 20%

Overall, organized crime and/or gang activity is related to fewer than one in five homicides in Canada each year. In 2010, 94 homicides were considered by police to be gang-related, accounting for 17% of all homicides reported to police.

Source: Juristat article, Statistics Canada, Homicide in Canada, 2010

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C: Marihuana

Criminal organizations in Canada are financed primarily through the illegal production, trafficking and exportation of marihuana. Cannabis products constitute the largest illicit drug market in the world. Organized crime groups use drug money to finance other illegal activities, sparking criminal activity/violence s and endangering the safety of all Canadians. Marihuana is directly related to organized crime, which has an impact on all citizens (higher insurance premiums, identity theft, payment card fraud, etc.).

Source: Marihuana Grow Initiative and Report on the Illicit Drug Situation in Canada, RCMP

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A: Yes

THC levels (main active ingredient) in marihuana today range from 8% to 12%, compared to only 1% to 3% twenty years ago. THC levels are sometimes as high as 25% or 30%. Marihuana is a dangerous drug. Users expose themselves to significant risks, including to their physical and psychological health (dependence), their personal safety, impaired driving and legal consequences.

Source: RCMP

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C: 10%

It is estimated that more than 10% of drugs worldwide are counterfeit. There is a demand for these drugs. Consumers let themselves be seduced by appealing offers from shady pharmaceutical dealers, each for their own reason – a bargain, anonymity (uncomfortable seeking assistance for a specific health problem), a miracle cure for an incurable disease or medication not available on the legal market. Organized crime networks make a lot of money running counterfeit drug operations. Knock-off drugs are a threat to the health and safety of people everywhere.

Source: RCMP

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D: Parents

It might surprise you to learn that 87% of teenagers think their parents are credible sources of information about illegal drugs. In fact, parents have a lot of influence over their kids. Parents are strong role models, and know their children better than anyone else. Children eventually adopt many of their parents’ values and types of behaviour, for instance how they deal with problems and express feelings. Talk to your kids!

Source: Health Canada. Youth and Marihuana Quantitative Research.

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A: Yes

You don’t have to be a member of a criminal organization to contribute to organized crime activity. You may well be boosting their business without even knowing it. How? By purchasing and using contraband products or counterfeit goods, or perhaps by visiting establishments controlled by criminal organizations.

Source: RCMP

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B: Organized crime concerns everyone

Most Canadians believe that organized crime is of no concern to them because they know nobody with ties to crime groups, they are honest, hard-working people, and they have no hand in illicit organized crime activity. All they know is what they hear and read in the media. The truth is that organized crime affects the entire population, children and seniors alike. How does organized crime affect you? Organized crime affects all Canadians in some way. It could be in the taxes you pay (tax revenue losses from contraband tobacco and alcohol), your car insurance premiums (higher auto insurance due to car thefts by organized crime rings), your banking fees (higher from banks recovering fraud costs), even your safety and health (drug-related violence, faulty counterfeit goods, clandestine labs and marihuana grow-ops in residential neighbourhoods, etc.).

Source: RCMP Media Lines

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C: $600 a year

Financial crimes include identity theft, mass marketing fraud, securities fraud and money laundering.

Source: RCMP Media Lines

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B: Ant-virus scams

Virus scams have grown to epidemic proportions in Canada, now accounting for between 70% and 80% of frauds reported daily to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC). Never disclose your passwords or personal information to anyone. Allowing a third party to download software or remotely access your computer carries a number of serious risks.

Source: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

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A: Yes, you can make a difference

Yes, you can play a key role, in partnership with law enforcement, to combat organized crime and minimize its impact on society. Observe the people around you and ask yourself the following questions:

• Do they have a job?
• Do they hang around with shady individuals?
• Do they have an unusually lavish lifestyle?

If you suspect illicit activity, contact your local police.

Source: Sûreté du Québec and RCMP