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
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.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
As Poilievre sides with Smith on trans restrictions, former Conservative candidate says he's 'playing with fire'
Siding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed Wednesday that he is against trans and non-binary minors using puberty blockers.
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
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
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.
Local Spotlight
DonAir force takes over at Oilers playoff games
As if a 4-0 Edmonton Oilers lead in Game 1 of their playoff series with the Los Angeles Kings wasn't good enough, what was announced at Rogers Place during the next TV timeout nearly blew the roof off the downtown arena.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Fergus, Ont. man feels nickel-and-dimed for $0.05 property tax bill
A property tax bill is perplexing a small townhouse community in Fergus, Ont.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
'I'm committed': Oilers fan won't cut hair until Stanley Cup comes to Edmonton
A local Oilers fan is hoping to see his team cut through the postseason, so he can cut his hair.
'It's not my father's body!' Wrong man sent home after death on family vacation in Cuba
A family from Laval, Que. is looking for answers... and their father's body. He died on vacation in Cuba and authorities sent someone else's body back to Canada.
'Once is too many times': Education assistants facing rising violence in classrooms
A former educational assistant is calling attention to the rising violence in Alberta's classrooms.
What is capital gains tax? How is it going to affect the economy and the younger generations?
The federal government says its plan to increase taxes on capital gains is aimed at wealthy Canadians to achieve “tax fairness.”