Summary - 2023 Report: Organized crime in Canada

On this page

1. Why this assessment
2. What was found
3. Contact us

Why this assessment

This report provides an overview of the organized crime groups operating in Canada, the serious threats they pose, and the impacts they have on our communities.

What was found

Organized crime groups represent significant public safety and societal threats.

Through their involvement in the illicit drug market, organized crime groups have become major enablers in the accelerating opioid crisis.

Organized crime groups continue to perpetuate violent crime in Canada, whether engaging in overt acts of violence or trafficking illegal firearms.

These groups engage in bribery, corruption, fraud and money laundering via legitimate businesses, threatening the private and public sectors alike.

The structure and membership of these groups are increasingly fluid, due to greater connectivity with national and international networks and associates.

Organized crime continues to adapt and diversify to increase profits and extend influence. Many are involved in multiple markets such as illicit drugs, financial crime, contraband and crimes against people and properties.

Some of the tactics commonly used by organized crime groups include:

• targeting vulnerable communities to traffic drugs and recruit new members
• laundering proceeds of crime through small, cash-based businesses
• infiltrating public institutions to facilitate criminal activity, secure lucrative contracts in key sectors, and inform counterintelligence efforts
• using strategic violence to maintain criminal market shares, including homicide, extortion or intimidation, kidnapping, assault, and arson

The report identifies the most important organized crime threats in Canada, including:

• outlaw motorcycle gangs
• mafia networks
• street gangs
• illicit drug networks
• illicit firearms networks
• money laundering networks

Contact us

For a copy of the full report, email rcmp.cisc-scrc.grc@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.