Canada has ratified the Convention but not the Optional Protocol.
Canada signed the CAT on 23 August 1985, and ratified the Convention on 24 June 1987.
On 13 November 1989, Canada made declarations under article 21 & 22 of the Convention, “recognizing the competence of the Committee against Torture to receive and consider communications (complaints) whereby a state party claims that another state party is not fulfilling its obligations under the Convention (article 21), and to receive and consider communications from or on behalf of individuals subject to its jurisdiction who claim to be victims of a violation by a State party of the provisions of the Convention (article 22).”
Although Canada was involved in its drafting, Canada has not signed the Optional Protocol, which establishes “a system of regular visits undertaken by independent international and national bodies to places where people are deprived of their liberty, in order to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”
Canada’s responsibilities to the CAT are shared between the federal, provincial and territorial governments. According to the Department of Canadian Heritage, “Each report is prepared under the auspices of the Continuing Committee of Officials on Human Rights, which includes representatives from all jurisdictions.”