RCMP deputy commissioner Mike Cabana waits to appear at the Senate national security committee to discuss the anti-terrorism act, Bill C-51 in Ottawa, Monday, April 20, 2015.Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
A senior Mountie says shifting hundreds of RCMP officers to counter-terrorism has hurt the national police force's efforts to fight organized crime.
Mike Cabana, deputy RCMP commissioner for federal policing, tells the Senate national security committee the force needs to find a long-term solution to the resource problem.
Concerns about the threat of homegrown extremism have prompted the RCMP to move more than 600 officers to the terrorism file from organized crime and other areas.
That has prompted criticism the Mounties are being stretched too thin.
The Canadian Press reported Friday that the Conservative government plans to use the federal budget to underscore its pre-election messaging on the importance of national security.
The budget due Tuesday is expected to earmark resources to help security agencies carry out enhanced responsibilities under new anti-terrorism legislation.