The report covers applications for authorizations in relation to offenses up to December 31, 2002. Section II of this report provides an overview of Part VI of the Criminal Code, which protects the privacy of Canadians by making it an offense to intercept private communications except as provided for by law, while providing the police with the means to obtain judicial authorizations to conduct electronic surveillance to assist in criminal investigations. Section III of the report presents statistics on the number of applications made for authorizations of the use of electronic surveillance, as well as the number of applications made for renewal of authorizations. These data are provided for each year from 1998 through 2002. Data also address the number of applications that were granted, the number refused, and the number that were granted subject to terms and conditions. Other statistics cover the period for which authorizations and renewals were granted; offenses specified in authorizations; classes of places and methods of interception; legal proceedings, use of intercepted material, and disposition; notifications; and prosecutions for unlawful interceptions and unlawful disclosure. The concluding section of this report provides a general assessment of the importance of the interception of private communications for the investigation, detection, prevention, and prosecution of offenses in Canada. A case example of electronic surveillance is presented. Extensive tables and appended list of Federal agents who made an application for an authorization and a list of peace officers designated by the Solicitor General who made an application for an authorization