'I did my best': Brenda Lucki retiring as RCMP commissioner
Embattled RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki is stepping down, saying that she is leaving knowing she did her best.
In a statement announcing what she called a "personal decision," Lucki said she has decided to retire ahead of reaching five years in the role. Her last day will be March 17, 2023.
“This was not an easy decision as I love the RCMP and have loved being the 24th Commissioner," Lucki said. "I am so incredibly proud to have had the opportunity to lead this historic organization and witness first hand the tremendous work being done each and every day."
Lucki's departure comes after a rocky tenure as Canada's top Mountie and amid uncertainty over whether her five-year term would be renewed.
As Commissioner, Lucki has been in the hot seat on a few occasions in recent years, and this move comes just ahead of the release of the Public Order Emergency Commission's report into the federal government's use of the Emergencies Act. That report is set to be made public in days, and not far behind it will be the Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission's final report into the 2020 mass killing in the province, expected by the end of March.
During testimony from Lucki and others during the federal Emergencies Act Commission as well as through documentation made public as part of the massive inquiry, it came to light that Lucki felt that officials hadn't used "all available tools" to dismantle the "Freedom Convoy" protests but did not adequately speak up to express this during a key meeting prior to the invocation.
This prompted Alberta's justice minister to call for her resignation, to which Lucki responded by asserting she remained "fully committed to leading the RCMP."
She was also challenged repeatedly over how the RCMP handled the 2020 killing rampage in Nova Scotia that involved a gunman using a replica RCMP vehicle, and numerous times denied related accusations of political interference in the case.
In 2020, amid conversations around defunding the police, Lucki faced calls to resign after saying that she struggled with "five or six" definitions of systemic racism. She quickly acknowledged the national police service's history of racial discrimination.
In an interview on CTV News Channel's Power Play with Vassy Kapelos, Brian Sauve of the National Police Federation—the union that represents RCMP officers—said this move didn't surprise him, nor did the amount of attention her missteps received.
"That's the role, right? You know, as the Commissioner of the RCMP, responsible for the largest policing agency in Canada, and second one in North America, there is going to be a lot of scrutiny," said Sauve.
He said no one could have predicted the series of events that Lucki faced as commissioner, suggesting it can't be known how someone else in her shoes would have handled a mass casualty incident as seen in Atlantic Canada or the groundswell of attention cast on police in light of the police killing of George Floyd in the U.S..
Conservative MP and former police officer Glen Motz—who knew Lucki from going on policing courses together years ago— said he thinks she was "well intended" but "became probably overly yanked around" by the government.
"That's unfortunate," he said. "I wish her well in retirement and I thank her for her service."
In a series of tweets reacting to the news of her coming departure, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino thanked Lucki for her service.
"From training new recruits at Depot to becoming the Mounties' first woman Commissioner, she has dedicated her life to keeping Canadians safe," Mendicino said. "Commissioner Lucki has led the Force for nearly five years, navigating through the pandemic and beyond. I want to thank her for her partnership and dedication."
LUCKI PROMISED TO IMPROVE THE FORCE
Lucki, who joined the RCMP in 1986, was its first permanent female commissioner. Prior to taking the helm, she worked as the commanding officer of the RCMP depot division in Saskatchewan.
Appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Lucki took on the commissioner role in April 2018 after the RCMP went nearly a year without a permanent commissioner upon Bob Paulson's retirement in June 2017.
Trudeau tweeted his thanks to Lucki for her years of service and "work to keep Canadians across the country safe."
"As you head into your next chapter, I’m wishing you and your family the very best," said the prime minister.
Lucki came into the job pledging to build a more diverse RCMP after the national police force had been for years mired in controversy and lawsuits and as a result was facing a staffing crisis as members grappled with issues of discrimination, workplace bullying, sexual harassment and misconduct.
Under her leadership, the organization ratified the RCMP's first collective union agreement, Sauve noted.
"I think a lot of our membership appreciated the fact that she's a people person … I've seen it firsthand," he said.
During her first appearance as commissioner at a House of Commons committee, Lucki was swift to respond after a male Quebec Liberal MP wanted to know how "a lady" would "tell the guys how to behave," a remark he later apologized for.
In her Wednesday statement, Lucki said she thinks the RCMP has made "some great progress" when it comes to modernizing the force and addressing "internal challenges."
"I'm so proud of the steps we’ve taken to modernize—to increase accountability, address systemic racism, ensure a safe and equitable workplace and advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples," Lucki said. "I leave knowing I did my best and take comfort that the RCMP is well-placed to shine in its 150th year."
Though, former RCMP major crime investigator Bruce Pitt-Payne said during a panel discussion on CTV News Channel’s Power Play on Wednesday that as an ex-member he is happy to see Lucki leaving, citing a lack of leadership.
"I think the force has gone downhill in the public eye, not just because of her. It's been even before that with the previous commissioners. But, for people like me, it was really depressing to watch the force as an organization hurt itself over and over and over again with commissioner Lucki at the helm. And she has to take responsibility for that," he said.
During the panel segment, retired RCMP officer Sherry Benson-Podolchuk shared a different view, saying that Lucki came into the job with more systemic issues to address than any one commissioner could fix alone, and that work was compounded by the series of events that transpired over her tenure.
"I think she did a the best job she could considering the monumental task," said Benson-Podolchuk. "She's made some positive changes; I see those positive changes. And I'm hoping that, you know, her legacy is showing that it's possible for women now to achieve the ultimate goal—if that is their goal to be commissioner in the RCMP—and I wish her the very, very best in her retirement."
SEARCH BEGINS FOR LUCKI'S REPLACEMENT
Mendicino said that the federal government will now begin the process of appointing the RCMP's next commissioner.
"We will be searching for an exceptional new leader who will keep our communities safe while advancing the reforms necessary to maintain the confidence of all Canadians," the minister said.
As the search begins, the NDP are calling on the Liberals to ensure the next commissioner can adequately tackle the issues that persist within the federal police force.
"Issues of systemic racism that have been raised around the RCMP. The accountability and the transparency of the RCMP to the Canadian public is something the next commissioner must deal with. And, we have seen most egregiously a number of incidences with Indigenous people ... These are issues as well that the next commissioner of the RCMP must deal with," said NDP MP Peter Julian, who added it's "clear" that over Lucki's time as commissioner these issues were not adequately addressed.
"It's vitally important that the federal government choose somebody who is going to show the leadership to actually resolve these fundamental issues," Julian said.
Similarly, former Nova Scotia premier Stephen McNeil said Canadians should demand answers from Ottawa on what the future of the federal police force is.
"Some of the challenges of this institution don't lay at the feet of this commissioner … I think we need to have a full conversation about what is the role of the RCMP as we go forward, and what does a modern RCMP look like that reflects the Canadian values of today," he said on CTV News Channel's Power Play.
IN DEPTH
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6922467.1718138898!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'Not the result we wanted': Trudeau responds after surprise Conservative byelection win in Liberal stronghold
Conservative candidate Don Stewart winning the closely-watched Toronto-St. Paul's federal byelection, and delivering a stunning upset to Justin Trudeau's candidate Leslie Church in the long-time Liberal riding, has sent political shockwaves through both parties.
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
Opinion
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6850735.1713368648!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6971614.1721493887!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Hazmat response to north London, Ont. apartment complex
Circumstances around a deceased individual in an apartment raise concerns for first responders.
With AI, jets and police squadrons, Paris is securing the Olympics - and worrying critics
With squadrons of police patrolling Paris' streets, fighter jets and soldiers primed to scramble, and imposing metal-fence security barriers erected like an iron curtain on both sides of the River Seine, the city appears ready to host the Olympics.
Canadian musicians struggle to get visas to perform in the U.S., some cancel shows
Backlogs and processing delays of temporary U.S. visas required by entertainers, athletes and artists has forced some Canadian bands to cancel U.S. tour dates because paperwork wasn't processed in time.
'A temporary bump': Taylor Swift's effect on inflation and tourism during the Eras Tour
Taylor Swift fans know all too well the costs that come with travelling to see the singer live on her Eras Tour.
How renovictions are affecting the lives of Toronto residents
CP24 reached out to Torontonians who are facing, or who have faced renovictions in the past in order to get a better sense of how the practice impacts people. The stories they shared show that renovictions not only inconvenience those affected, but can have profound impacts on their lives and futures.
How to protect yourself from West Nile virus
It's been a hot, humid and wet summer so far in Ottawa, making it the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and elevating the risk of West Nile virus.
Here are the signs you're ready to downsize your home
Amid the cost-of-living crisis, many Canadians are looking to find ways to save money, such as downsizing their home. But one Ottawa broker says there are several signs to consider before making the big decision.
Workplace habit of 'coffee badging' prompts reported new policy at Amazon
The term 'coffee badging' has gained some new significance this week with multiple outlets reporting Amazon is allegedly taking measures to counter the workplace trend it refers to.
Secret Service chief noted a 'zero fail mission.' After Trump rally, she's facing calls to resign
When Kimberly Cheatle led the Secret Service's operations to safeguard the American president and other dignitaries, she said she would talk to agents in training about the 'awesome responsibility' of their job.
Local Spotlight
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6971740.1721505533!/httpImage/image.jpeg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpeg)
‘It looks scary, but they’re harmless’: Bees removed from Winnipeg street light
A swarm of bees living in a lamppost in Winnipeg’s Sage Creek neighbourhood has found a new home for its hive.
'Powerful symbol of the progress we have made': Land being returned to Manitoba Métis Federation
Around 100 acres of Manitoba Crown Land near the Saskatchewan border is being returned to the Métis community.
Cape Breton moose hunting suspended for 3 years due to 'significant' drop in population
Nova Scotia is suspending the licensed Cape Breton moose hunt for three years due to what the province is calling a “significant drop” in the population.
What Canadian dog owners need to know before crossing the border
Canadian pet owners visiting the United States will soon have to follow new rules, including requiring their dogs be microchipped.
Social media prank could lead to charges after teens allegedly damage homes
A well-known childhood prank known as 'nicky nicky nine doors,' or 'ding dong ditch,' has escalated into a more serious game that could lead to charges for some Surrey, B.C. teens.
Benefit concert to be held for N.B. teen badly injured in 'freak accident'
It's been more than a month since their good friend was seriously hurt in an accident and two teens from Riverview, N.B., are still having a hard time dealing with it.
Here's what happens to rejected Halifax bridge coins
Halifax bridges have collected thousands of coins from around the world.
Video shows B.C. grizzly basking in clawfoot tub
A donated clawfoot bathtub has become the preferred lounging spot for a pair of B.C. grizzly bears, who have been taking turns relaxing and reclining in it – with minimal sibling squabbling – for the past year.
Cemetery 'investigators' connecting families with forgotten gravestones
A pair of cemetery investigators are cleaning and preserving as many gravestones they have permission to work on, as they conduct their research and document gravestones.