The Stephen Harper government tabled the Enhancing Royal Canadian Mounted Police Accountability Act June 22.
According to the government, the act will:
- help modernize the RCMP's discipline, grievance and human resource management framework, including new measures to create a single comprehensive investigation and resolution process for sexual harassment complaints where the respondent is a member of the force;
- provide the commissioner the direct authority to discharge members for various non-disciplinary administrative reasons;
- create an independent Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP to replace the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP and provide it with enhanced powers to carry out its mandate; and
- establish a statutory framework for handling criminal investigations of serious incidents involving RCMP members, to improve transparency and public accountability of these investigations.
In a statement, federal Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said the legislation will help address the crisis of confidence the RCMP currently faces in the public eye.
"Canadians' confidence in the RCMP has been tested over the past few years and this legislation will ensure that the RCMP remains accountable to the public it serves, and a trusted and responsive organization for generations to come," he said.
In the past weeks, several B.C. municipalities have refused to sign a 20-year contract for RCMP services, citing cost uncertainties and municipalities' lack of control over how the force operates. (See "Cities seek cost certainty"–June 12.)
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