Statement

Statement from RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme

March 10, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario
From: RCMP National Headquarters

Content

Today, the outgoing Prime Minister released his vision for the future of the RCMP and policing. In keeping with his White Paper, and many other external reports in the last decade, I agree that there is a need for significant change and investment in the RCMP.

As an organization, we are always looking for ways to evolve and meet emerging needs. We also need to adapt to the new costs of policing. Put simply, the RCMP has been underinvested for decades, and funding has not kept pace with the technology and resources required to tackle today's criminal landscape.

While the RCMP was not consulted in the development of this particular document, changes need to be made to ensure the sustainability of federal policing and to position the RCMP to properly address the highest levels of crime. This is why several months ago, the RCMP presented Public Safety Canada with our own transformation plan. Our plan, which is feasible, aims to address today's complex criminality by leveraging the front line work taking place in communities across the country.

I have shared my views with the outgoing Prime Minister and other senior-level officials in Ottawa about this path forward, and I will continue to advocate for our members and employees and the exceptional policing services we provide.

Going forward, we will continue to work with Public Safety Canada and other stakeholders to strengthen our partners' governance over contract policing in the next round of negotiations. We have heard from them that there is a need to enhance accountability and bolster the responsiveness of our service delivery.

I firmly believe that we are best positioned to face these challenges as one organization, with federal, provincial, territorial, Indigenous, municipal, and specialized policing mandates. There are countless benefits to the RCMP's strong relationships with partners in every corner of the country, as well as the vast organizational knowledge and specialized skills our employees can draw on when serving communities. Our inter-related responsibilities allow us to tackle the most complex problems that threaten the security of Canadians.

When I agreed to extend my tenure as Commissioner for another two years, it was because I want to keep building a strong future for the RCMP. This has not changed. I will continue to assert our position on the best way forward for policing in Canada, and for Canadians.

Contacts

RCMP Media Relations
rcmp.hqmediarelations-dgrelationsmedias.grc@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
613-843-5999