Public safety minister eyes steps to strengthen oversight of the RCMP
The federal public safety minister says he is "deeply committed" to enhancing oversight of the RCMP by strengthening the role of the national police force's management advisory board.
In an interview, Marco Mendicino expressed a desire to give the board the "independence and autonomy that it needs" -- possibly through legislative amendments -- to ensure adequate supervision.
He also stressed the need for a clearer line of communication between the board and his office to help build "trust and confidence" between Canadians and RCMP.
- RCMP reform would prevent political interference, criminologists say
- PM Trudeau denies pressuring RCMP investigation, committee to probe
- Blair denies interference in RCMP investigation into Nova Scotia mass shooting
The moves could respond to calls, voiced over many years, to bolster accountability of the Mounties through more robust external supervision.
During the last election campaign, the Liberals promised to enhance the current advisory board to align it "with other Canadian police services to have full oversight over the RCMP."
The task of expanding the board's role was included in Mendicino's ministerial mandate letter. In turn, Mendicino's recent marching orders to RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki direct her to ensure the board "is fully supported as it takes on a greater oversight role."
The eight-member management advisory board, chaired by Douglas Moen, currently has a mandate to provide advice, information and reports on administration of the RCMP to the commissioner, including on development and implementation of policies and the effective use of resources.
The Liberals created the external board of civilian, part-time advisers in 2019 to help the RCMP modernize after years of grappling with internal bullying and harassment.
The board may provide the minister with a copy or summary of guidance it gives to the commissioner.
Mendicino said he wants a clear, strong and transparent line of communication between the board and the minister, including the filing of reports to his office that can then be used "to advance public discourse" about the police force.
He also wants to ensure the board puts forward tangible recommendations on workforce diversification, training, discipline and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
Mendicino sees a role for the board in helping strengthen the Independent Centre for Harassment Resolution, intended to resolve complaints of workplace harassment and violence outside the RCMP chain of command, free of bias or conflict of interest.
"We'll keep all options on the table when it comes to whether or not any of these changes require legislation," Mendicino said.
Soon after Mendicino spoke to The Canadian Press, a political storm erupted over whether Lucki had promised the Prime Minister's Office in April 2020 that details of the guns used in the horrific Nova Scotia shooting rampage would be released.
The difficult aftermath of the worst mass shooting in Canadian history, currently being explored at a public inquiry, is just the latest challenge for the storied police force.
In his May mandate letter to Lucki, Mendicino said his central objectives are ensuring the RCMP meets the needs of Canadians, addressing systemic racism, eliminating harassment and discrimination, and creating a culture of accountability, diversity and inclusion.
He directed Lucki to support development of national standards on crisis intervention, conducting an external review on de-escalation amid concerns about police brutality and discrimination.
He also expects timely RCMP responses to reports and recommendations of the civilian complaints commission watchdog.
To that end, Mendicino recently introduced a bill that would require the Mounties to respond to interim reports from a revamped watchdog within six months -- addressing a long-standing sore point.
The RCMP commissioner was taken to court over chronic foot-dragging in responding to interim reports from the current complaints commission. The problem has led to lengthy delays in the public release of final reports and recommendations.
"I am singularly focused on one thing, and that is making sure that we protect the health and safety of Canadians," Mendicino said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 26, 2022.
IN DEPTH

As it happened: Zelenskyy visits Canada, addresses Parliament as PM pledges $650M in Ukraine aid
During his historic visit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered repeated thanks to Canada for its continued support for his country as it continues to defend itself from Russia's invasion. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada will be making a $650 million 'multi-year commitment' for further Ukraine aid. Recap CTVNews.ca's minute-by-minute updates.
ANALYSIS What do the policies Poilievre's party passed say about the Conservatives' future?
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre spent the summer speaking about housing affordability, a core focus that attendees at the party's Quebec City convention were quick to praise him for. But by the end of the weekend, delegates opted to instead pass policies on contentious social issues. What does that say about the Conservatives' future?
Justin Trudeau and wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau separating, after 18 years of marriage
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife are separating after 18 years of marriage, and while they plan to co-parent their children, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau will no longer be considered the prime minister's spouse in any official capacity.
'A very retro, family-oriented message': New ads aim to reframe Poilievre
With a steady lead in the polls and a healthy war chest of political donations, the Conservative Party is rolling out a trio of new advertisements that are being viewed as aiming to redefine and soften Pierre Poilievre's image and messaging.
Seven rookies promoted, most ministers reassigned in major Trudeau cabinet shuffle
In a major cabinet shuffle on Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promoted seven rookies to his front bench, dropped seven ministers, and reassigned the majority of cabinet roles. In a ceremony at Rideau Hall, Trudeau orchestrated one of, if not the most consequential reconfigurations to his cabinet since 2015.
Opinion

OPINION Don Martin: Poilievre picking wrong fights as Liberals struggle under low morale, support
As morale with Justin Trudeau's Liberals goes down the drain with the party's re-election hopes, all Pierre Poilievre needs to do to win is make sure the drain doesn’t get plugged up with doubts about his leadership, writes Don Martin in an exclusive opinion column for CTVNews.ca.
OPINION Don Martin: Canada is back on the world stage. And mostly alone.
Justin Trudeau got one promise right: Canada is back on the world stage. Sadly, it’s for all the wrong reasons, writes Don Martin in an exclusive opinion column for CTVNews.ca.
opinion Don Martin: Nice try, Prime Minister Trudeau. But it's too little, too late
Nice try, prime minister. But likely too little, too late and too transparently desperate to serve as a realistic government-salvage strategy, writes Don Martin in an exclusive opinion column for CTVNews.ca.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre doesn't feel your pain, but he's sure good at communicating it
Probably no other leader, including Justin Trudeau, has landed in a party leadership with less real-world work experience than Pierre Poilievre, says Don Martin in a column for CTVNews.ca. But Poilievre's an able communicator, and this weekend's Conservative convention is a golden opportunity for him to sell himself as PM-in-waiting.
opinion Don Martin: Who will step up to have 'The Talk' with Trudeau?
Ego and vanity are a potent combination in leadership politics, and in his exclusive column for CTVNews.ca, Don Martin writes this condition is infecting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's mindset as he seems deadly serious about seeking re-election in 2025.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Nearly half of Canadians have no plans to mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
A new survey found that 48 per cent of Canadians say they won’t be taking any specific action to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
'Stories of resilience and survival': Indigenous-led tourism is one way to support communities in Canada
A growing number of businesses popping up across Canada are offering unique experiences that invite tourists to dive into the history, language and culture of Indigenous communities.
What do Indigenous Peoples across Canada really need and want?
The federal Liberal government has made a lot of promises to Indigenous Peoples. But do those promises line up with what communities on the ground really want and need, or reflect their diversity?
Canada’s greenhouse gas emission up 2.3 per cent from last year due to oil and gas production, cold winter: report
New data from the Canadian Climate Institute shows that emissions from the oil and gas industry and buildings continued to climb in the previous year, undercutting Canada's overall emissions reduction progress.
The Dianne Feinstein they knew: Women of the Senate remember a tireless fighter and a true friend
When Washington Sen. Patty Murray received a call early Friday morning that Sen. Dianne Feinstein had died, she immediately started calling her fellow female senators.
On the brink of a government shutdown, the Senate tries to approve funding but it's almost too late
The United States is on the brink of a federal government shutdown after hard-right Republicans in Congress rejected a longshot effort to keep offices open as they fight for steep spending cuts and strict border security measures that Democrats and the White House say are too extreme.
Here's how a U.S. government shutdown could impact Canadians
Economists warn both Canada's economy and individual Canadians could suffer from impacts of a U.S. government shutdown, and that those impacts will deepen and broaden the longer it lasts.
Toronto family shocked they have to rip out $20K synthetic grass putting green
A Scarborough family said they were shocked to get a notice from the City of Toronto that the artificial grass in their backyard, including a putting green, will have to be ripped out.
Walking just this much more per day can lower your blood pressure: study
A new study finds walking an additional 3,000 steps per day can significantly reduce high blood pressure in older adults with hypertension.