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Despite the enduring characterization of Canada as a historically law-abiding nation, the country has a long history of organized crime, much of which is transnational in nature. Smuggling, in particular, has long been a mainstay of well-organized criminal groups operating within and outside of Canada. Perhaps there is no other country in the world with the “perfect storm” of conditions that promotes widespread smuggling. This presentation will examine transnational organized crime affecting Canada in both historical and contemporary terms, including Canada’s well-established role as a source or transit country for illegal drugs, illegal migrants, deceitful mass marketing, counterfeit goods, and other contraband.

A central thesis put forth in this presentation is that organized and transnational crime have shaped Canada and Canadian history more than most people expect.

Speaker’s biography
Dr. Schneider is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology and the Coordinator of the Graduate Program in Criminology at St. Mary’s University. One of Stephen’s interests is organized crime. In this context, he has worked as a researcher, educator, government policy analyst, and consultant. This expertise dates back to the late 1980s, when he began working as a researcher and policy analyst in the Drugs and Major Crimes Section of the Ministry of the Solicitor General. His accomplishments in this capacity included a major study on money laundering in Canada (co-authored with Margaret Beare) and research that led to the creation of the Integrated Anti-Drug Profiteering Units (the first integrated law enforcement units in Canada).

After leaving the federal government, Prof. Schneider was engaged as a research and policy consultant – independently and as an employee with KPMG Investigation and Security – with various federal departments and agencies, including the RCMP, the Department of Justice, Industry Canada, Public Safety Canada, as well as inter-departmental and inter-governmental working groups.

Some research projects in the area of organized crime that Stephen has carried out in this capacity include an evaluation of the joint force proceeds of crime units, an evaluation of the federal Anti-Smuggling Initiative, research and policy recommendations concerning innovative approaches to combating organized and transnational crime, and an assessment of the Combined Forces Special Forces Enforcement Unit of Greater Toronto.

Stephen is the author of numerous peer-reviewed articles and books on the subject of organized and transnational crime. This includes articles dealing with money laundering, contraband smuggling, the role of organized crime in the real estate market, the use of companies by criminal organizations, and innovations in organized crime enforcement.
He is the author or co-author of five books, including the best-selling Iced: The Story of Organized Crime in Canada. Originally published in 2009, the second edition was published in E-book format in 2016 by Harper Collins.

Registration
Online registration available here via EventBrite.