In a recent interview, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized the RCMP’s autonomy, labeling the national police force’s leadership as “despicable” and alleging that it shielded the Liberal government and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Poilievre asserted that if the RCMP had not protected Trudeau, he would have faced criminal charges for actions like accepting a complimentary vacation, referring to the 2016 Aga Khan controversy.
During the conversation on the YouTube channel Northern Perspective, Poilievre suggested that Trudeau may have violated the law in the SNC-Lavalin case. He accused the RCMP of concealing potential criminal offenses that would typically warrant charges.
Responding to Poilievre’s remarks, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme defended his team and refuted claims of political intervention. Former RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki had examined a potential fraud charge against Trudeau related to the Aga Khan trip but opted against pursuing a criminal investigation due to legal nuances.
Additionally, the RCMP clarified that no criminal charges were warranted in the SNC-Lavalin scandal, despite findings by the ethics commissioner that Trudeau breached the Conflict of Interest Act by attempting to influence former Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould.
Duheme invited Poilievre to engage with the RCMP’s leadership following the accusations. The RCMP emphasized its independence in operational matters to prevent political influence. The National Police Federation supported the RCMP’s integrity and professionalism, denying claims of political manipulation within the organization.
Poilievre’s office reiterated the importance of upholding the law and acknowledged the crucial role of RCMP officers in maintaining public safety. The statement underscored the Conservative stance that accountability is paramount and emphasized the need to prevent any entity from evading legal repercussions.