Government must ensure strong, independent oversight of RCMP

OTTAWA –The appointment of a political insider as interim Chair of the Commission for Public Complaints against the RCMP (CPC) shows that the Conservative government is not serious about police accountability.

“Ian McPhail has no criminal law or policing experience, and his only qualification seems to be his involvement with the Conservative Party,” said Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway), New Democrat Public Safety Critic. “Public confidence in the RCMP has been shaken in recent years, and Canadians need to know that there is a strong watchdog overseeing the force. This partisan appointment is a serious step backwards for RCMP accountability.”

Davies continued, “The RCMP Complaints Commissioner has the power to initiate investigations, as former chair Paul Kennedy did with the Dziekanski inquiry. It is critical to have a chair with the experience and leadership to truly hold the RCMP accountable.”

The previous Chair of the Commission, Paul Kennedy, was a very strong advocate for legislative reforms to strengthen the powers of the federal watchdog. Part of the needed reforms is addressed in a proposed bill by Nathan Cullen (Skeena-Bulkley Valley) to create a Civilian Investigation Service.

“The system is broken and needs to be fixed,” said Cullen. “Kennedy got it, the Auditor General gets it, RCMP Commissioner Elliott gets it, and the public gets it. It seems that everybody understands the need for independent oversight except this Government.”

“Canadians deserve an independent Civilian Investigative Service, and they deserve a strong and independent police complaints body with an experienced and independent Chair.”

“The Public Safety Committee has the mandate to review these types of appointments. But with Parliament prorogued, the government can make patronage appointments with no checks or balances,” said Davies.

Davies and Cullen made a joint appeal for the government to appoint a permanent Chair with the necessary skills to be a strong leader at the CPC.

“We call on the new Minister of Public Safety to make finding a permanent and competent replacement for Paul Kennedy his first priority on the job.”