The RCMP’s Race-Based Collection Initiative is being expanded to Yellowknife

May 22, 2026 - Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
From: Northwest Territories RCMP

Content

The RCMP’s Race-Based Collection Initiative (RBDC), under which the RCMP collects, analyzes and reports race-based data to better understand how Indigenous, Black and other racialized people experience interactions with frontline policing, is being expanded to Yellowknife, NT.

The RBDC supports one of the RCMP’s priorities to address systemic racism and discrimination, and is part of the RCMP’s modernization efforts.

Collecting race-based data related to specific police interactions — such as use of force, wellness checks and arrests — helps the RCMP understand where differences in outcomes may exist.

This information helps the RCMP:
• identify disparities in policing outcomes
• better understand systemic racism
• make informed, evidence-based decisions
• improve transparency and accountability
• strengthen trust with communities

The initiative was launched after extensive consultations with communities, partners and RCMP employees across Canada. The collection began at pilot sites in 2024, and is now being expanded in 2026 to additional locations in Canada.
As of May 2026, the initiative is underway in 40 locations across Canada, including in Yellowknife, NT.

Questions and answers

1. What is the Race-Based Data Collection (RBDC) Initiative?
The RBDC Initiative is an RCMP program that collects, analyzes and reports race-based data from certain police interactions. The goal is to better understand policing outcomes for Indigenous, Black and other racialized people and to identify and address systemic racism within RCMP policies and practices.

2. Why is the RCMP collecting race-based data?
The RCMP continues to strengthen its understanding of whether systemic racial disparities exist in policing outcomes. Collecting race-based data helps the RCMP identify trends, improve accountability and make informed decisions to better serve communities.

3. What type of race-based data is being collected?
The RCMP collects officer-perceived race and perceived Indigenous identity during specific police interactions. This reflects how a person may be perceived during an interaction, which is important when examining potential bias. A person’s perceived race may not match how they self-identify.

4. Why is the RCMP using officer-perceived race instead of self-identification?
Officer-perceived data helps the RCMP understand how bias, policies and practices may influence police decision-making. The RCMP chose this approach to protect privacy and to learn from the pilot before considering other options in the future. Ongoing engagement with communities continues to inform this work.

5. What police interactions are included?
The RCMP collects race-based data to analyze outcomes related to:
• use of force
• wellness checks
• arrests
The RCMP does not collect race-based data for complainants, victims, witnesses or missing persons.

6. Where has race-based data been collected so far?
Race-based data collection began in early 2024 at pilot sites in:
• Whitehorse, Yukon
• Wood Buffalo (Fort McMurray), Alberta
• Thompson, Manitoba
• Burnaby, British Columbia

In 2026, the RCMP expanded the initiative to additional locations, including:
• Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador (B Division)
• Craik, Saskatchewan (F Division)
• Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (G Division)
• Sackville and Shediac, New Brunswick (J Division)
• Prince Edward Island (L Division)
• Nunavut (V Division)
As of May 2026, the initiative is underway in 40 locations across Canada.

7. Why is the RCMP expanding the initiative?
Expansion allows the RCMP to build on what it learned during the initial pilot. The RCMP will use these lessons to improve training, strengthen community engagement and refine processes. This helps ensure the initiative is effective before any future national rollout.

8. How will the RCMP use the data?
The RCMP will use the data to:
• identify trends and differences in policing outcomes
• review policies and practices
• improve training
• support discussions with communities about findings and next steps
The initiative focuses on systemic issues, not individual officers.

9. Will the RCMP make the results public?
Yes. The RCMP is currently reviewing and analyzing the data collected to date, including outcomes related to arrests, wellness checks and use of force. A public report outlining key takeaways and lessons learned from the pilot phase is currently in development and will be made publicly available once completed.
The RCMP will continue to share information about the initiative and its progress with employees, communities and the public.

10. How does the RCMP protect privacy?
The RCMP protects privacy by following the Privacy Act and the RCMP Act. The RCMP de-identifies data and reports it only in aggregated form so individuals cannot be identified.

11. Is the RCMP using this data to discipline members?
No. The RCMP does not collect race-based data to discipline members. The purpose of the initiative is to understand and address systemic issues related to policies and practices.

12. How are communities involved?
Community engagement is central to the RBDC Initiative. The RCMP works with communities through consultations, town halls and ongoing dialogue.
As of May 1, 2026, the RCMP has engaged with 75 community organizations across RBDC locations, including organizations focused on:
• Academic, advocacy and social services
• Black communities
• Faith-based communities
• Indigenous communities
• Multicultural and culturally specific communities

Community input helps inform implementation, identify priorities and strengthen the RCMP’s understanding of local realities and concerns.

Contacts