Response to parliamentary committees and external audits

Spring 2022: Government Response to the First Report of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security

In June 2021, the Standing Committee on public Safety and National Security tabled its first report entitled: Systemic Racism in Policing in Canada. On May 31, 2022, the Minister of Public Safety tabled the Government’s thematic Response which addressed the Committee’s 42 recommendations. Of the 42 recommendations outlined in the report, the RCMP was most directly implicated in 19 of them:

• Recommendation 5 regarding the implementation of effective ongoing training and disciplinary policies for RCMP officers;
• Recommendation 6 regarding the introduction of requirements for management to report and act on internal harassment complains;
• Recommendation 7 regarding annually reporting on the progress of the implementation of the recommendations in the report for three years;
• Recommendation 8 regarding the RCMP being transitioned away from a para-military force into a police service model with civilian oversight;
• Recommendation 9 regarding the creation of a National Police College to provide courses such as cultural diversity training for RCMP recruits and other interested police services members and mandatory crisis resolution and psychology courses;
• Recommendation 10 regarding the possibility of ending contract policing within the RCMP;
• Recommendation 17 regarding the availability of a female officer to address gender-based violence in First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities;
• Recommendation 18 regarding the development of an action plan with concrete measures to address systemic racism and violence against Indigenous women;
• Recommendation 19 regarding the establishment of programs and reviewing policies on postings for officers stationed in First Nations, Métis and Northern communities;
• Recommendation 21 regarding the use of persons specialized in victim services and mental health in situations requiring de-escalation;
• Recommendation 31 regarding the creation of a nationwide database of police use of force incident data, the regular collection of this data by implementing a mandatory reporting policy, and the regular publication of this data;
• Recommendation 33 regarding the enforcement of the RCMP’s zero-tolerance policy for excessive use of force;
• Recommendation 34 regarding working in collaboration with First Nations, Métis and Inuit Communities to establish advisory committees;
• Recommendation 35 regarding improving training that includes de-escalation, bias, gender-based violence, cultural awareness, and the history of colonialism and slavery;
• Recommendation 36 regarding a mandate for officers to receive specific cultural competency training developed in collaboration with racialized, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities;
• Recommendation 38 regarding ensuring diversity in hiring for all levels within the police service;
• Recommendation 39 regarding reviewing the screening process for new officers to reject those with biases against Indigenous and racialized people and women;
• Recommendation 40 regarding consideration of Inuit language skills and community knowledge when evaluating candidates; and
• Recommendation 42 regarding the collection and publicization of national comprehensive and disaggregated race-based data.

In its thematic response, the Government outlined the programs and initiatives in place that respond to issues raised in the Report, noting the RCMP is committed to addressing systemic inequities in law enforcement and ensuring that all Canadian communities are treated with fairness and respect.

Spring 2022: Government Response to the Third Report of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security

In April 2022, the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security tabled its third report entitled: A Path Forward: Reducing Gun and Gang Violence in Canada. On September 15, 2022, the Minister of Public Safety tabled the Government’s Response which addressed the Committee’s 34 recommendations in detail. Of the 34 recommendations outlined in the report, the RCMP was implicated in Recommendation 5 regarding the implementation of ongoing training for officers, as well as Recommendation 31 to ensure that the Chief Firearms Officer verify all information contained in a possessions and acquisition license application. In its response, the Government outlined its efforts to strengthen gun control, gun smuggling, and address gun and gang violence.

Summer 2022: Government Response to the Fifth Report of the Standing Committee on Finance

In June 2022, the Standing Committee on Finance tabled its fifth report entitled: Invocation of the Emergencies Act and Related Measures. On October 17, 2022, the Minister of Public Safety tabled the Government’s Response which addressed the Committee’s 15 recommendations in five broad themes. Of the 15 recommendations outlined in the report, the RCMP was implicated in Recommendation 2 regarding determining the efficiency of the Emergency Economic Measures Order and the Emergency Measures Regulations and their implementation, as well as Recommendation 3 regarding having the capacity to undertake the required tasks when orders and/or regulations pursuant to the Emergencies Act are in place. The RCMP was also implicated in Recommendation 10 regarding bringing together existing law enforcement resources of the RCMP, the intelligence capabilities of the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada and expertise of the Canada Revenue Agency. The Government outlined the actions being taken in the five theme areas: oversight and transparency, financial measures, investigations and law enforcement, engagement and communications, and research.

Summer 2022: Government Response to the Sixth Report of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security

In June 2022, the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security tabled its sixth report entitled: The Rise of Ideologically Motivated Violent Extremism in Canada. On October 18, 2022, the Minister of Public Safety tabled the Government’s Response which addressed the Committee’s 33 recommendations in detail. Of the 33 recommendations outlined in the report, several recommendations were directed to law enforcement agencies broadly or police of jurisdiction, however, the RCMP was directly implicated in Recommendation 25 regarding having adequate resources to investigate and prosecute offences, and to ensure that anti-terrorism laws are applied equally. The Government highlights federal government actions taken in concert with provincial and territorial partners, civil society, and others to address the rise of ideologically motivated violent extremism in Canada from a whole-of-society perspective.

Winter 2022: Government Response to the Nineteenth Report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

In December 2022, the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs tabled its nineteenth report entitled: Protecting the Parliamentary Precinct: Responding to Evolving Risks. On March 31, 2023, the Minister of Public Services and Procurement tabled the Government’s Response which addressed the Committee’s eight recommendations in detail. Of the eight recommendations outlined in the report, the RCMP was implicated in Recommendation 7 regarding the creation of a working group to establish an effective and consistent plan in the event of incidents on Parliament Hill. The Government’s Response indicated the actions it is taking within its accountabilities and authorities, as well as its desire and openness to work with key partners such as Parliament and the City of Ottawa to address the Committee’s recommendations.

2022 Reports of the Auditor General of Canada: Report 2 - Processing Disability Benefits for Veterans

Recommendation 2.31

Veterans Affairs Canada and the RCMP should work together to establish a formal costing process and determine the right level of funding needed for processing applications from RCMP veterans in a timely manner

Response

Agreed. Over the last two years, the RCMP and Veterans Affairs Canada have been working closely together to improve governance and put more robust processes in place to support the forecasting of financial requirements related to disability benefits. These processes will be expanded to include a specific costing framework related to the processing of applications.