Susheel Gupta

Occupation: RCMP in a newly created role as Senior Strategic Advisor for National Security previous Vice-Chairperson of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, a lawyer by profession, adjudicates cases involving complaints of discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

After eight years as the Vice-Chairperson of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, Susheel Gupta joined the RCMP in a newly created role as Senior Strategic Advisor for National Security. Previously he worked with the Department of Justice War Crimes Section, and as Special Advisor to the President and CEO at Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. A significant portion of his career has been spent as a Federal Prosecutor, and specifically as the Computer Crime Advisor for the prosecution unit in Ottawa, assisting on prosecutions and investigations with Federal and Provincial prosecution agencies and government departments. He was one of the co-counsels in Canada’s first prosecution under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

On a more personal note, Susheel has been actively involved in issues concerning national security, terrorism and aviation security. He has been an advocate for victims of crime. Sush was 12 years old when his 37 year old mother was murdered on board Air India Flight 182. Since that tragic day, he has been a Spokesperson for the Air India Victims’ Families Association, gaining expertise in the area of aviation security, terrorism threats to Canada and victims’ rights and support issues. He was one of the driving forces behind the efforts resulting in a full Public Inquiry into the Air India Bombing. It was this terrorist incident and tragedy that led him down the path to a career working in the public service. Susheel was co-Chair of the Kanishka Project Steering Committee which oversaw a $10 million dollar grants budget towards research that will assist first responders, victims of crime and terrorism and strengthen Canada’s counter-terrorism and national security agenda.

Susheel volunteers extensively with organizations involved in supporting and advocating for victims of crime in Canada and internationally. His work resulted in awards from the University of Waterloo Arts Alumni Award in 2018, and the Ontario Bar Association’s President’s Award for significant contribution of to the rights of victims of crime and the improvement of the justice system in 2016.

Susheel brings a unique and diverse background on issues that are relevant to all of us and offers many perspectives.

Susheel is the Chair of the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime, Member of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) National Working Group on responding to Victims of Terrorism and Mass Violence, and a Member of International Network Supporting Victims of Terrorism and Mass Violence (INVICTM).