Who handles public safety & justice?
Public Safety & Justice
Public safety involves all three levels. Federal sets criminal law and manages the RCMP, provinces operate courts and provincial police, and municipalities run local police and fire services.
⚠️ Shared Jurisdiction: This area involves multiple levels of government. The information below shows the primary responsibility at each level, but overlap is common. When in doubt, start with the level most directly related to your issue.
Federal
Parliament of Canada
- ● Criminal law and sentencing (Criminal Code)
- ● Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
- ● National security and border services
- ● Firearms regulation
💡 Example: Contact the RCMP for federal law enforcement matters, or your MP about criminal law reform.
Provincial
Provincial Legislature
- ● Provincial police services (OPP, SQ, or RCMP under contract)
- ● Court system administration
- ● Emergency management
- ● Provincial corrections and parole
💡 Example: Contact your provincial police for provincial matters, or your MPP/MLA about court access and emergency preparedness.
Municipal
City / Town Hall
- ● Municipal police services
- ● Fire services and prevention
- ● By-law enforcement (noise, parking, property standards)
- ● Community safety programs
💡 Example: Call 911 for emergencies, report by-law violations through 311, or contact your councillor about community safety.
Quick Reference — Who to Contact
🏛️ Federal
Your Member of Parliament (MP)
🏢 Provincial
Your MPP, MLA, or MNA
🏘️ Municipal
Your City Councillor
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