Speaking Notes for the
Honourable Vic Toews
Minister of Public Safety
RCMP "Depot" Division
Troop 11 Graduation ceremony
Regina, Saskatchewan
April 30, 2012
Check against delivery
Good morning; and thank you for that warm introduction.
First and foremost – Troop 11, congratulations on becoming our newest group of RCMP graduates.
I know you have all worked extremely hard to get here today, and on behalf of our Government, we welcome you to Canada's best and proudest police force – the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Graduates, parents, friends, RCMP and Correctional Services colleagues, I'm very pleased to be here at the Depot to speak to all of you today.
A warm welcome also to:
- Assistant Commissioner Roger Brown;
- Chief Superintendent Louise Lafrance;
- Superintendent Gerry Gourlay;
- Inspector Richard Thibeault; and,
- Inspector Maggie Smith
As new RCMP officers, all of you have committed to going above and beyond the call to help keep our streets and communities safe.
You have my sincerest thanks for that commitment and indeed the deepest gratitude of our government and all Canadians.
Today we salute you as graduates. Tomorrow we will welcome you into our communities and place our trust and faith in your dedication to doing what is good and what is right.
Almost 140 years ago, Sir John A. MacDonald established the North West Mounted Police to help bring law and order to the newly acquired western territories.
Sir John's idea then was to make the Force something uniquely Canadian by opting for a red uniform in order to differentiate it from the blue ones worn by Americans.
Around the world the Red Serge became associated with valour, trust, honour and a commitment to duty.
Today, these values still go to the heart of what the RCMP is all about.
More than that, the national policing model that the RCMP has come to exemplify is uniquely Canadian.
There is nothing more basic to the job of government, at any level, than looking out for the safety and security of its citizens.
From fighting crime, to securing our borders, to preparing for emergencies, our duty requires us to keep our citizens safe from harm.
Canadians hold their uniformed officers in high regard.
Your duty as new graduates is to help Canadians feel safer in their homes and in their communities.
Some of you will serve in large municipalities, while others may serve in the most remote of Canada's communities.
All of you have committed to putting your life on the line in the service and protection of others.
Your role is to uphold the law and keep the peace all the while dedicating yourselves to the service of your country and to your communities.
Our Government supports you in this role.
That is why we have provided significant additional funding to the RCMP.
Our government is proud of having contributed to increasing the number of police officers across Canada by more than 2,000 since 2009.
We have also made investments at Depot.
Since 2006, we have contributed $150 million to help the RCMP improve, renovate and expand its infrastructure, including this Training Academy.
This funding is helping to ensure that we have a state-of-the-art training facility to meet the growing demand for new RCMP officers.
Additionally, it has allowed the RCMP to partner with Correctional Service of Canada; two organizations dedicated to public safety.
Our Government also provides RCMP cadets with an allowance of $500 per week during their training, for a total of $12,000.
You can be assured that we will not stop there.
Contract policing is one of the central pillars of law-enforcement in this country.
I am delighted that our government has reached 20-year contract policing agreements with 10 provincial and territorial governments.
Regardless of whether you are eventually assigned to a small town or large city, you will not only enforce the law, you will help build communities.
And I understand it - although you were all extremely busy with your training, you found the time to volunteer and give back to your community.
Through these selfless efforts, you will help bring about our ultimate goal of a stronger, safer and better Canada for everyone.
I wish all of you fulfilling careers as members of the world's most unique police force.
Thank you, and congratulations!
