(OTTAWA) Federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino is calling on the head of the RCMP to work closely with Indigenous communities to address the traumatic legacy of residential schools.
Posted at 7:59
In a new mandate letter to RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki, Mendicino calls on the National Police to proactively release documents, help uncover truths and allow other forms of investigation while that communities “seek justice at their own pace”.
The Liberal government says the discovery of unmarked graves and burial sites near former residential schools has underscored the need to move faster on the path to reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
In this vein, many of the Minister’s directives to the RCMP are aimed at fostering improved relations with Aboriginal peoples.
Mr. Mendicino says he looks forward to working with Mr.me Lucki to accelerate RCMP reform over the next two years through improved force recruitment at all levels to better reflect the communities it serves, particularly Indigenous and Black communities.
It calls on the RCMP boss to conduct an assessment of contract policing in consultation with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous and other partners, and to work with partners on “stabilizing and expanding of the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program.
The letter updates the one sent to Mme Lucki upon his appointment as Commissioner in 2018.
Minister says his main goals are to ensure the RCMP meets the needs of Canadians, combat systemic racism, eliminate harassment and discrimination, and create a culture of accountability, diversity and inclusion .