December 1, 2014 Ottawa, ON Public Safety Canada
Today, the Honourable Steven Blaney, Canada's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced the coming into force of the Enhancing Royal Canadian Mounted Police Accountability Act, which provides legislative reforms that will enhance the accountability of the RCMP in its service to Canadians.
The Enhancing Royal Canadian Mounted Police Accountability Act builds on the significant modernization activities the Government of Canada and the RCMP have already undertaken and improves accountability by:
- Creating a new Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP (CRCC) to replace the existing Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP (CPC) and providing it with enhanced powers.
- Establishing a statutory framework for handling investigations of serious incidents involving RCMP members, designed to ensure that these investigations are conducted in an impartial and transparent manner.
- Modernizing the RCMP's conduct, grievance, employment and human resources management processes, in order to prevent, address and correct performance and conduct concerns in a timely and fair manner. This includes enabling the Commissioner to establish a specific process for the investigation and resolution of harassment complaints when an RCMP member is a respondent.
Quick Facts
- This Act is part of our Government's Plan for Safe Streets and Communities. This Plan focuses on tackling crime, victims' rights, and fair and efficient justice.
- The RCMP Act and its supporting Regulations had not been significantly amended in over 25 years. This new legislation and regulations mark an important milestone for the RCMP and demonstrate its commitment to reinforcing a responsibility-based workplace.
Quotes
“The establishment of a new Civilian Review and Complaints Commission, with an expanded mandate and the tools to do its job, is an important step forward for both the RCMP and for the Canadian public.”
– Ian McPhail, Chair, Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP
“The coming into force of the Enhancing Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act will have a positive impact on the work of the External Review Committee. The Committee will focus on issues which are critical to the Force and its members – such as harassment, serious conduct matters and discharge cases. The Committee will also develop, publish and report publicly on service standards for its case reviews – that will support timely independent findings and recommendations, and contribute to fair and transparent processes within the Force.”
– Elizabeth Walker, Chair, RCMP External Review Committee
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Jason Tamming
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-991-2924
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Public Safety Canada
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