RCMP commissioner challenges accuracy of Alberta Next survey on provincial policing

RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme waits to appear before the House of Commons Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics committee, Tuesday, February 27, 2024 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

In a letter to the premier, RCMP commissioner Mike Duheme challenged the accuracy of the Alberta Next policing survey, saying some of the information is incorrect.

The Alberta Next Panel survey, which launched in late June, aims to collect feedback from Albertans on issues including immigration, the Alberta pension plan and provincial policing.

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Before taking the survey, participants are required to watch a short video with information about each topic.

One video regarding the provincial police service incorrectly asserted that the Government of Canada sets provincial policing priorities, the commissioner said.

Duheme pointed out that under Article 6 of the Provincial Police Service Agreements, it is the responsibility of the provincial minister to establish the objectives, priorities and goal of the provincial police service.

“Neither the Government of Canada nor RCMP Headquarters sets priorities in this regard,” wrote Duheme, adding that the Municipal Police Service Agreement enables the head of the municipality to set objectives, priorities and goals of the municipal police service.

“In this vein, the RCMP is, and has been proud to deliver policing services that reflect the priorities and needs of communities across Alberta,” said Duheme.

In a response to the letter, the Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Services said federal white paper, A New Policing Vision for Canada, “clearly signals a shift in the RCMP’s long-term mandate.”

The paper said the federal government should be committed to working closely with provinces to support a transition away from contract policing while maintaining strong interoperability with federal policing.

Contracts with municipalities and the RCMP are set to expire in 2032.

The paper also said provinces should be on a path to fully exercise their responsibilities over policing, adding that provinces are best placed to define their own policing models.

Duheme addressed a statement in the video that claimed regular members in Alberta are prevented from obtaining promotional opportunities in the province on the belief that they must be bilingual, saying it is inaccurate.

“In addition, I assure you that the RCMP does not move regular members out of communities on a “moment’s notice,” said Duheme. “The process to relocate a member includes careful planning to support them and their families should they choose to pursue another opportunity. This choice is up to each individual member.”

The ministry’s statement said the RCMP previously confirmed in a CBC story that all deputy and assistant commissioner positions in Ottawa are designated bilingual, as are senior positions held by civilians within senior staff.

“On bilingualism, the RCMP is wrong,” said the statement from press secretary Arthur Green.

However, the story also discovered that many senior officers in bilingual-designated positions can’t speak French and aren’t learning it.

A “frequently asked questions” portion of the document contained an inaccuracy related to the distinction between major crimes and the RCMP’s federal policing program, claimed Duheme.

“I would like to clarify that in the context of a transition, the RCMP would retain responsibility for investigating criminal activity that poses the highest threat to Canada through its federal policing mandate,” wrote Duheme.

The responsibility for major crimes investigations, such as homicides, would be retained by the incoming police or jurisdiction, which is currently the case where the service is delivered by Alberta RCMP as the provincial police service.

Premier Danielle Smith unveiled a plan for the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service last month, allowing municipalities to opt for a provincial police service over the RCMP.

The move has had mixed reactions and has raised questions about recruitment while RCMP has been struggling to hire officers.