Minister of Justice Meets with United States Attorney General

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - July 28, 2015) - Department of Justice

Today, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, met with United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch. The meeting of the two officials is the most recent example of the long-standing cooperation between Canada and the United States and of their shared commitment to keep streets and communities safe.

While the meeting touched on a wide range of issues, a particular focus was placed on the global fight against terrorism. Minister MacKay highlighted the Government of Canada's new anti-terrorism legislation and discussed other tools already in place to protect citizens from terrorism. They also had a productive conversation on the issue of foreign terrorist fighters.

Quick Facts

• Loretta E. Lynch was sworn in as the 83rd Attorney General of the United States on April 27, 2015. Today's meeting marks the first time she has met with her Canadian counterpart.
  
  
• Both Attorneys General are members of "the Quintet," which brings together the principal legal officers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States to share knowledge and information about issues of common interest.
  
  
• As part of Economic Action Plan 2015, the Government is investing $292.6 million over five years in intelligence and law enforcement agencies for additional investigative resources to counter terrorism.
  
  
• On June 18, 2015, the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2015 received Royal Assent. The legislation will directly address the threat of terrorism by enhancing the Government of Canada's ability to share information between relevant government departments and agencies for national security purposes; criminalizing the advocacy and promotion of the commission of terrorism offences; preventing terrorists from travelling and recruiting others; and providing police forces with the additional tools they need to prevent, detect, and respond to the threat of terrorism.
  
  
• On February 4, 2011, Prime Minister Harper and President Obama released Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness. The vision is based on a perimeter approach to security and economic prosperity. This collaboration is enhancing security and accelerating the legitimate flow of people and goods.
  
  

Quotes

"Canada shares more than just a border with the United States - we share democratic values, legal traditions, and many of the same justice system challenges. These similarities, and the fact that we're neighbours, means that we must work together and learn from each other. It was a pleasure to meet with Attorney General Lynch and I am confident that, together, we will build on the cooperation which has been so integral to keeping both our countries safe."

Peter MacKay

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Associated Links

- Meet the Attorney General of the United States

- Canada's Counter-terrorism Strategy

- Canada's recent ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime
(http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2015/07/08b.aspx?lang=eng )

- Anti-Terrorism Act, 2015 receives Royal Assent
(http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=988629&_ga=1.92654685.1186822082.1396898969 )

- Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness

- Beyond the Border Action Plan

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