Financial Transactions And Reports Analysis Centre (Fintrac)
| The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre (FINTRAC) is the national financial intelligence agency in Canada. It is responsible for collecting and analyzing financial transaction reports and other financial intelligence, and for disclosing this information to Canadian law enforcement and national security agencies to help them combat serious crime and threats to the national security of Canada. FINTRAC was established in 2000 under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act. It is a specialized, independent agency that reports to the Minister of Finance. FINTRAC's mandate is to: - collect and analyze financial transaction reports and other financial intelligence; - disclose information to Canadian law enforcement and national security agencies; and - contribute to the prevention of money laundering and terrorist activity financing in Canada. In order to carry out its mandate, FINTRAC is authorized to collect financial transaction reports from financial institutions and other entities, as well as to obtain information from foreign financial intelligence agencies. It is also authorized to disclose information to Canadian law enforcement and national security agencies, and to foreign financial intelligence agencies, subject to strict confidentiality requirements. FINTRAC's activities are guided by three principles: - information must be collected and analyzed in a manner that respects the privacy of Canadians and the confidentiality of financial information; - information must be disclosed only where it will help combat serious crime or threats to the national security of Canada; and - FINTRAC must be accountable to Parliament and Canadians. FINTRAC is headed by a Director and supported by a team of analysts, investigators and support staff. The Director of FINTRAC is appointed by the Governor in Council and reports to the Minister of Finance. FINTRAC is located in Ottawa, Ontario. |
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