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Conclusion

CISC is cognizant that not all organized crime groups or serious crime issues that affect Canada are discussed within this Annual Report. There are many crime groups that do not readily fit within the broad-based cultural-geographic groupings currently used by CISC as a basic intelligence framework. In some instances, crime groups outside this framework may engage in criminal activities that are equal to or surpass the scope and magnitude of organized crime groups within CISC's current national intelligence priorities and monitored issues. In future Annual Reports on Organized Crime, CISC will assess the level of criminality and threat posed by such groups. As well, in assessing organized crime groups, broad-based cultural-geographic groupings used by CISC are problematic as the membership of some crime groups increasingly consists, either partially or completely, of second- or third-generation Canadians with diminishing linkages to their historical languages, homelands and cultures. In addition, the composition of some crime groups is becoming more fluid and diverse, consisting of members with various ethnicities.

While conflicts continue between some organized crime groups over the control of criminal markets, increasingly criminal organizations engage in cooperative ventures to enhance their mutual criminal profits. In many cases, this cooperation may not be a permanent alliance but a temporary relationship centred on a single criminal venture based upon mutual need. Once completed, this relationship may dissolve though it could provide a foundation of trust for future joint criminal ventures.

Organized crime has a symbiotic relationship with many aspects of the legitimate business and social community that enables it to conduct criminal activities and launder criminal profits. In some instances, the legitimate business community is exploited, both knowingly and unknowingly, to facilitate the movement and distribution of organized crime's illicit products. Most established organized crime members do not flaunt their criminality or criminal associations. Many attempt to integrate themselves within their economic, social and cultural communities to establish personas of legitimacy, normality and respectability and to insulate themselves from law enforcement attention.

Organized crime groups and their criminal activities have diverse and varying negative impacts, affecting individual Canadians and communities nationally with various societal, economic, health and safety repercussions. Some of these effects are visible, such as street-level drug trafficking, the presence of street gang members, acts of violence, or the dismantling of marihuana grow operations in quiet suburbs. Other effects, while often less visible to average Canadians, may significantly affect their quality of life as organized criminal activity can result in increased costs for goods and services. As well, organized crime can undermine the Canadian economy, threaten social stability and be a corrupting influence on public institutions and the effectiveness of their operations. The Canadian law enforcement community will continue in its coordinated efforts to combat organized and serious crime in Canada and to reduce its negative impacts on individuals and communities throughout the country.