Operating context

Continued pandemic and climate change-related disruptions, greater civilian oversight, and increased public scrutiny affected the RCMP's operating context in 2022-23. Social and economic instability, environmental factors, and technological changes presented challenges. These challenges created opportunities to examine traditional policing responses and to shape the ongoing work to modernize the RCMP.

Throughout the reporting period, the RCMP supported and advanced public safety in 150 municipalities, more than 600 Indigenous communities, and many small and isolated locations. As the police of jurisdiction covering 75% of Canada’s geography, the RCMP has over 700 detachments across the country. The RCMP also offers renowned expertise at the international level by providing specialized training for police officers and conducting international policing activities including peacekeeping.

Climate events such as wildfires, record heat waves and cold snaps, hurricanes striking the east coast, a derecho causing devastation across parts of Ontario and Quebec, and flooding events all contributed to increased displacement and crime in 2022-23. These climate events required an agile and adaptive RCMP response to support those displaced, as well as other first responders.

The RCMP actively engaged in the continuous process of reconciliation, and engaged with national Inuit, First Nations and Métis leaders. This is important for strengthening relationships and trust, as well as information sharing and collaboration with Indigenous partners.

There was a growing focus on mental health-related service calls, and the trafficking of opioids that continues to contribute to the fentanyl crisis in Canada.

The RCMP supported Canada's efforts to counter hostile activities by state actors, institutions and processes, and the disruption of alleged activities in Canada that were being directed by overseas actors. National security remained an important area of focus. Other areas of focus included protection of democratic institutions, ideologically-motivated extremism, cybercrime, transnational and serious organized crime, and financial crime.

Recruitment of employees with the appropriate skills and attributes continued to be a challenge for law enforcement agencies, including the RCMP. A diverse, skilled workforce is needed to address the increasingly transnational and technological nature of crime and to ensure that policing organizations reflect the communities they serve.

As the nature of crime changes, and disruptions increase in number and severity due to the operating context, the RCMP is responding by proactively managing its evolving scope.