(Halifax) Canada’s Public Safety Minister says he recognizes the importance of reforming the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in light of lingering questions about the future of the services it provides to provinces and territories .
Posted at 12:35 a.m.
Marco Mendicino made the comments to reporters Friday in Halifax after two days of meetings with provincial and territorial justice and public safety ministers.
Mendicino pointed to the mandate letter he delivered to RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki in May, in which he directs her to address some challenges, including recruiting issues and allegations that some units lack adequate resources — subjects concerning British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Alberta.
“I think there is a real commitment within the RCMP to move these reforms forward and I know there is a commitment across the country, between the federal government and our provincial and territorial partners, to modernize the relationship in a way that works for everyone,” Mendicino pointed out.
RCMP officers, he added, need more training and need to communicate better with the public — especially during emergencies such as the 2020 mass shootings in Nova Scotia and the stabbings. last month in the James Smith Cree Nation of Saskatchewan.
“I believe, unequivocally, that it is necessary to implement the reforms underway, which is why we have published the mandate letter. »
Mendicino added that Ottawa supports the work of the Mass Casualty Commission in Nova Scotia and awaits its recommendations, which are expected in March.
Nova Scotia Justice Minister Brad Johns said there were discussions during the meetings about RCMP services.
“It was a good opportunity to hear some of the frustrations from other provinces,” Johns said. But what we’re really doing now is waiting to see what this report comes up with. »
The Halifax meetings covered a wide range of issues, such as Indigenous policing, gun violence and hate crimes, and policing at Canada’s ports.
During Friday’s press conference, Mr. Mendicino spoke about the “scourge of gun violence” and the killings earlier this week of South Simcoe police officers Morgan Russell and Devon Northrup in Innisfil, Ont.
“We owe…all victims of gun violence to take decisive action now and act quickly to end gun violence once and for all,” he said.
Mendicino said that while there is no one-size-fits-all solution, the federal government wants to address gun violence by advancing “smart, common-sense laws” like Bill C-21, which would implement a national handgun freeze.
“We always welcome a thoughtful discussion on the best way forward, but I have made it clear to my colleagues and agree that we need to act,” he concluded.