September 28, 2006
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
Earlier today I met with the Members of the Standing Committee on Public
Safety and National Security.
As I told the Committee members I felt it was appropriate to appear before
them first. And, in fact, had wished that they would have invited me to
appear earlier.
But it is also important, of course, to meet with you, the members of
the media, and to answer questions you may have concerning Justice O'Connor's
report.
As with all Canadians I have observed the dignity with which the Arars
have faced their ordeal.
I have extended my apology on behalf of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
And for myself personally, I cannot express fully enough how very sorry
I am - for any impact that the actions of the RCMP may have had in contributing
to the nightmare endured by Mr. Arar, and his family.
I noted that Members of Parliament expressed appreciation for my apology.
Well, I grew up in a home with a very simple set of principles.
If you do wrong, say so, apologize fully and resolve to set it right.
What I did today was no different from what I have done all my life.
As you review my testimony to the Committee you will note that I have
outlined the changes that are underway in the RCMP in response to the
issues raised by Justice O'Connor's report. Each and every recommendation
made will be implemented as quickly as possible.
I also noted that his very balanced and thoughtful report provides a
wealth of detail. Perhaps some items are worth noting one more time:
That appropriate investigative steps were taken by Project A-O Canada,
the investigative unit of the RCMP created in the aftermath of 9/11.
That there was no bad faith shown by the RCMP investigators.
And that RCMP officials did not know, participate in, or acquiesce to,
the U.S. decision to detain and remove Mr. Arar to Syria.
Notwithstanding these positive comments Justice O'Connor lays out a very
clear analysis of the errors that were made by the RCMP.
We accept full responsibility for any and all mistakes that were made
and Canadians may be assured of my determination that such a situation
will never occur again.
Justice O'Connor himself noted - the days following 9/11 were a very
different time from today. I echo that not as an excuse, but by way of
providing context.
The work of Justice O'Connor and indeed the internal analysis that we
have carried out in the Force have now given us a tremendous platform
for moving forward.
In the Arar case, were mistakes made? Sadly they were. Have we learned
from them? Yes, we have. Will we take action? Yes, we have and will continue
to do so.
Nothing is more important than preventing such a mistake from happening
again.
But neither is anything more important than protecting our way of life,
our very existence, in the face of those who are committed to doing us
harm in the horrific ways that we have seen.
I am more committed than ever to the women and men who work with me in
the service of our country and toward the goal of a fully safe, just and
peaceful society. I look forward to what lies ahead as we work with all
Canadians to achieve that dream.
Commissioner
