Calls to reform the RCMP have been mounting for years. What are the parties proposing?

Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a bold move before leaving office by leaving behind blueprints for a major overhaul of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), one of Canada’s most iconic institutions. In a policy document presented as a white paper, Trudeau emphasized the need to reevaluate the RCMP’s role in policing across the country and focus more on federal issues like national security and combating fentanyl trafficking.

Trudeau’s proposal aligns with numerous reports that have criticized the RCMP’s broad mandate, which ranges from handling traffic violations to responding to terrorist threats. Despite these recommendations, the response from political parties has been lukewarm.

When asked about the proposal, Conservative leader Carney initially corrected the term to a green paper, emphasizing that it is a discussion document meant to spark debate and action. He expressed a commitment to enhancing the RCMP’s capabilities if elected. The Conservatives did not provide further comment on their vision for the RCMP, while the New Democrats expressed openness to reviewing the RCMP’s role and strengthening its ability to serve communities effectively.

The upcoming election has largely focused on issues like public safety, fentanyl rings, and criminal justice reform, with little attention given to the RCMP. With two weeks left until election day, none of the parties have released their full platforms yet.

Trudeau’s plan for the RCMP would require legislative changes, updated training programs, budget adjustments, and negotiations with provinces that rely on the RCMP for local policing services. The RCMP currently serves as the primary police force in most provinces, territories, municipalities, and Indigenous communities, with contracts set to expire in 2032.

The RCMP has faced criticism for being overstretched and under-resourced, leading to inefficiencies in frontline policing. Following the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting, calls for organizational change within the RCMP grew louder. A special intelligence and security committee warned of potential risks to national security if urgent attention was not given to the RCMP’s federal policing wing.

However, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme and the National Police Federation have opposed the idea of splitting up the RCMP, citing a decade of under-investment as the root of the challenges faced by the organization. Duheme emphasized the importance of maintaining the RCMP as a unified entity to address modern criminal threats effectively.

In an interview before leaving office, Trudeau defended his proposal as a necessary step for future prime ministers to take national security seriously. The debate over the future of the RCMP continues as Canadians await the outcome of the upcoming election.