Sub-series contains all the records created and maintained by all the Division's Task Forces and by Headquarters concerning the Papal Visits of 1984 and 1987. The files concern administrative, intelligence security and physical security issues. The files include minutes of committee meetings, operational and logistical plans, security assessments, investigations, accreditations, correspondence between the RCMP and other governments, financial records, as well as some published material including news clippings. As well, the accession contains two maps, three technical drawings and one air photo of RCMP preparations for the Papal visit to Fort Simpson in 1984.
In October of 1982 the Pope accepted the invitation of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) to make a tour of Canada. Because his visit was to be private and pastoral and not political or secular in nature, responsibility for the visit was to fall on the CCCB. However, the Pope's position as the Head of State for the Vatican City obliged Canada to ensure his safety under the rules of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Internationally Protected Persons. Therefore in June 1983 the RCMP were asked to assume responsibility for security, transportation and media logistics. The federal government also assumed responsibility for arrivals/departures, protocol and the development of the program format. To coordinate their efforts the Canadian Federal Government Papal Visit Task Force (Cantask) was formed and Chief Superintendent Poirier of the RCMP was appointed as Security Coordinator for the visit. Poirier formed the RCMP Papal Visit Task Force and recommended the formation of similar task forces at Divisional levels. Each task forces kept its own records, but reported up to the next level. The Pope returned for another visit in September 1987 and once again the government supplied security, transportation, and media logistics, but no task force was created, and Cantask was not reactivated for the visit.
