Other Issues

Decommissioned RCMP Training Facility (Kemptville)

  • The health and safety of employees is a top priority for the RCMP and the government as a whole.
  • That's why the RCMP is working to identify and reach out to all members, employees and representatives from other agencies who may have made use of the nowdecommissioned facility while it served as an RCMP training centre.
  • The RCMP is committed to working with concerned employees and their families, as well as individuals who may have been exposed to potentially hazardous materials.
  • The RCMP has policies, procedures, training and equipment to ensure the health, safety and well-being of members, employees and the communities we serve.
  • RCMP occupational health and safety policies and practices have evolved significantly over the years and continue to be improved on an ongoing basis to better detect and address health and safety risks to employees.
  • The Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) facility cited in the article was closed following the recommendations of a 2005 Occupational Health and Safety Report and has since been demolished.
  • In addition, a newly created website was developed to provide support to RCMP members and their families with quick access to helpful tools and resources.

Details

  • On December 3, 2019, CBC published an article entitled Secretive RCMP training facility suspected in illnesses, deaths, which investigated the conditions of a secure training facility used by the RCMP to provide specialized police training. The article noted that the facility was contaminated by a number of hazardous materials, including asbestos, silica, mold, and excessive levels of lead. Further, the article highlights the possibility of a link between this facility and various deaths and illnesses of RCMP members who reported attending it.
  • From 1988 until 2005, the PSPC facility in question, located in Kemptville, Ontario, was used mainly by the RCMP's Special ‘I' unit for training purposes. A number of health and safety reports completed between 1998 and 2005 noted the presence of hazardous materials and recommended remediation activities. Given an initial assessment of existing records internally at the RCMP, it is not yet clear what exact actions were undertaken at the time, either by PSPC or the RCMP.
  • The RCMP can confirm that following a July 2005 RCMP Occupational Health and Safety Report on the condition of the facility, which recommended the cessation of all future training at the site, the RCMP concluded its operational use of the facility. The RCMP then relocated its training to an alternate facility.
  • The RCMP is reaching out to members, employees and representatives from other agencies who may have made use of this facility while it served as an RCMP training centre. An email will be sent to all current RCMP Technical Operations employees advising them of the organization's response to the article, and will provide resources for employees who may come forward with any concerns.

Version 0; 2019-12-09
Source: QP Note on Decommissioned RCMP Training Facility, 2019-12-04

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RCMP Prime Minister Protective Detail

  • The RCMP's Prime Minister Protective Detail (PMPD) is mandated to provide 24/7 security to the Prime Minister and his family, and does not disclose detailed information that may expose its security posture.
  • In December 2016, the RCMP received services associated with the protection of the Prime Minister and his family, which it identified and assessed at $56K USD but has been unable to reimburse, despite efforts to do so.
  • The RCMP considers this administrative matter to be closed.
  • All costs supported operational requirements and were related to RCMP personnel only.
  • The RCMP has made numerous efforts to reimburse these operational costs in line with Government of Canada financial regulations.
  • The RCMP considers this administrative matter to be closed.

Re: criticism of RCMP not investigating Aga Khan Vacation

  • The RCMP's mandate to investigate criminal offences is managed independently from its mandate to provide protective services to designated officials.
  • The RCMP is aware of the perception of bias associated with its dual mandates of protecting Canadian dignitaries as well as its investigative mandate with respect to politicallysensitive matters.
  • The RCMP's operations are entirely independent and completely free from of any government influence. Additionally, a separation is made between its internal resources to ensure that its investigations are conducted in a professional and objective manner.
  • In this particular case, the RCMP determined that it could not productively pursue a criminal investigation.
  • The Government of Canada takes the code of ethics and the Ethics Commissioner's investigation and findings very seriously and considers the process to be concluded.

Details

  • In December 2016, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family vacationed at the Aga Khan's private island in the Bahamas. CBC News reports that as a result, the RCMP owe the managers of the island more than $56,000 for meals, accommodations and jet ski rentals during the vacation. The Force has not yet reimbursed the costs despite numerous efforts made to do so, as its financial accounting system requires an invoice to be issued, which island managers have stated they are unable to produce. No efforts have been made by Bell Island to recover the above noted costs. The $56,000 is above and beyond the $153,000 already publicly reported as RCMP costs related to this PM trip.
  • Prime Minister Trudeau took full responsibility for the findings made by the Ethics Commissioner that he was in violation of the Conflict of Interest Act and has committed to clearing all future personal and family travel in advance. The Commissioner's report stated that costs incurred were within the functions of the Prime Minister. All expenses were incurred by RCMP personnel; providing details on costs could expose security details about the number of personnel assigned to protect the Prime Minister and his family. The RCMP has confirmed that it is in compliance with the Directive on Accounting Standards: GC 4300 Non-Monetary Transactions and is not required to disclose these costs as part of its public accounts. The RCMP considers this matter to be closed.
  • The RCMP has also received criticism for not recusing itself from determining whether or not a criminal investigation was warranted. In a letter date August 19, 2019, Commissioner Lucki informed Conservative Peter Kent, that the RCMP independently determined that it could not productively pursue a criminal investigation. The Force's position has not changed, and the Commissioner highlighted the independence of RCMP investigators in the process of reaching their determination.

Version 0; 2019-12-08
Source: [e.g.] QP Note on PMPD Expenses Aga Khan, 2019-12-05

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Respect in the Workplace (CBSA)

  • The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring all its employees are treated with respect and dignity while at work.
  • As a law enforcement agency entrusted with protecting Canada's borders, the CBSA holds its employees to a high standard of conduct.
  • The CBSA takes all allegations of harassment seriously.
  • Following investigations where all parties are represented, if allegations are determined to be founded, appropriate discipline will follow.
  • The CBSA has established a Centre of Expertise to support employees, developed communication materials and an outreach strategy regarding inappropriate behaviours in the workplace, and requires all staff to take a suite of mandatory training within the first six months of employment.
  • The CBSA will continue to work with all employees to actively build a healthier culture that is free from workplace harassment, discrimination and violence.

If pressed on union allegations:

  • The unions representing CBSA employees alleges that there is a two-tiered system of discipline between employees and management.
  • The CBSA reviews all allegations of harassment in an impartial and objective manner, regardless of rank.

Details

  • The CBSA has a zero tolerance policy for harassment in the workplace.
  • In July 2018, a new hub, called the National Integrity Centre of Expertise (NICE) was created to bring together the new Harassment Prevention and Resolution Office, the Values and Ethics Office, and Informal Conflict Management Office. The NICE is a national one-stop centre for all employees to turn to for information, support and guidance.
  • The Centre has developed concrete measures, a communication and an outreach strategy in order to better respond to allegations of inappropriate behaviours in the workplace.
  • Notably, the Centre has developed an online harassment allegations form for facilitating the reporting of inappropriate or disrespectful behaviours that can be submitted to a generic mailbox monitored hourly.
  • The Centre has also developed service standards and is now providing personalized acknowledgement within 2 business days. Furthermore, over the last months, the Centre adopted a proactive approach to resolve the workplace issues at the lowest level possible through the informal conflict management systems (ICMS) which has proven to be quite successful. The Centre has also increased awareness activities through various forum in order to promote a respectful and civil workplace.
  • With respect to training, all new CBSA employees are required to complete the Occupational Health and Safety in the Workplace and Violence Prevention in the Workplace training courses within their first month of employment.
  • Within six months of employment, employees must also complete courses on: Mental Health Awareness; Values, Ethics and Disclosure of Wrongdoing; Creating a Respectful Workplace; and Diversity and Race Relations. In addition, targeted learning and information sessions on Civility and Respectful Workplace best practices are being delivered throughout the year.
  • In order to further promote ongoing learning opportunities and to ensure workplace support, advisory services are available through the CBSA's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Homewood Health, the Agency's external service provider. Mental Health First Aid training continues to be rolled out to priority groups who are more likely to be faced with someone in distress and requiring assistance.

Version 0: 2019-12-09
Source: CBSA

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