The oversight body responsible for investigating the conduct of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has been operating without a chairperson for an extended period, resulting in delays in investigations and a lack of transparency regarding the interactions between the national police force and Canadians nationwide.
The Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP (CRCC) has historically overseen the activities of the RCMP, but it has been incapable of making decisions for almost a year. Plans are in place to merge the CRCC into a new entity, the Public Complaints and Review Commission (PCRC), which will handle grievances against both RCMP and border officials. Despite the legislation for establishing the PCRC being passed by Parliament last Halloween, there is still no clarity on when the commission will become operational.
Complicating the situation further, the former chairperson of the CRCC departed in January following the completion of her term and in the aftermath of an internal report highlighting a “toxic workplace” environment within the commission. Additionally, key positions such as the vice-chair remain vacant according to the CRCC’s official website.
Although investigative teams and legal experts are still active, the CRCC spokesperson mentioned the inability to make decisions due to the absence of a chair and other senior decision-makers. As of October 21, the CRCC reported having 235 pending review and investigation files awaiting resolution.
Legal expert Tom Engel, leading the Criminal Trial Lawyers Association’s policing committee, expressed concerns over the prolonged delays, emphasizing the impact on justice and public confidence in the RCMP accountability system. He has advocated for procedural reforms to ensure better accountability for RCMP members and has assisted clients in filing complaints with the CRCC.
The backlog of cases awaiting resolution by the CRCC aligns with its annual report output. Notably, the CRCC issued 203 reports in the previous fiscal year and 246 review reports in 2023-24, comprising 381 findings and 184 recommendations, with summaries of these findings made public for transparency purposes.
Aside from complaints from the public triggering investigations, the CRCC chairperson can also initiate reviews, leading to findings and recommendations on critical policing issues such as protests, use of force, and abuse of power by the RCMP. Instances of RCMP interference with press freedoms, unreasonable media access restrictions, and mishandling of sexual assault allegations have been highlighted by the watchdog.
Despite various cases where the watchdog sided with the RCMP, concerns have been raised by the union representing front-line Mounties regarding the delays caused by the absence of a chairperson. The National Police Federation president, Brian Sauvé, emphasized the challenges and stress faced by members due to the incomplete CRCC files.
The government is currently in the process of appointing a new chair for the CRCC, with the aim of establishing a well-resourced and effective leadership structure for the new commission, as per a statement from Simon Lafortune, an official from Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree’s office.
A recent workplace assessment indicated a need for leadership changes to address low morale and restore credibility within the organization, following complaints of a toxic work environment among CRCC employees. This development adds to the ongoing challenges in establishing the new commission, which includes plans to create a watchdog body for Canada Border Services Agency officers, a proposal that has garnered bipartisan support since 2019 but has faced obstacles in the legislative process.