Time for More RCMP Oversight, Not Less, Say Greens

OTTAWA--Once again, the Conservatives have axed funding for a valuable public service; this time on the chopping block is the RCMP Public Complaints Commission, the watchdog group responsible for reviewing important issues such as Taser safety.  A deep cut of almost half the commission’s budget will leave it unable to finish important research into problems within the RCMP, including incidents with the mentally ill. The Green Party of Canada is calling for restored funding to the RCMP Public Complaints Commission as a signal of commitment to accountability and transparency in building greater public trust in the RCMP.

“The Harper government has expressed time and time again that one of their priorities is law and justice, and yet now they are cutting the funding of an important oversight agency whose purpose is to maintain the integrity of our policing system,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada.  “The public trust in the RCMP has been in decline, and removing the ability of the public complaints watchdog to do an adequate job will only add to the loss in credibility of our hardworking police force.”

The Green Party of Canada demands that funding for the RCMP Complaints Commission continue in order that Canada can have a police force that is above reproach and exemplary around the world.  A professional police force in a free and democratic society simply must have adequate oversight.

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John Bennett
Director of Communications
Green Party of Canada
Phone: 613 562 4916 ext. 230
Cell: 613 291 6888
Fax: 613 482-4632