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In March of this year, Public Safety Canada released a report titled “A New Policing Vision for Canada: Modernizing the RCMP.” Among the many suggestions within the report, one said that “the federal government should be committed to working closely with provinces to support a transition away from contract policing.” The government feels the time has come to turn the RCMP into a more federally focused force and move away from rural and provincial police services.
As with many bold policy proposals, the issue is unlikely to escape partisan politics.
On July 2, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith held a press conference to announce an expansion of the Alberta sheriff’s service into the role of a provincial force. While she didn’t expressly say the role of the expanded force was to replace the RCMP, she did say municipalities could choose to replace the contracted RCMP services with the provincial sheriffs. Opposition NDP public safety critic David Shepherd lambasted the move and said creating a provincial police force was “a zombie idea” that Albertans have repeatedly spoken against. NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said the new force was one that nobody wants and which would cost billions, though he didn’t explain why he thought it would cost so much.
The negative response to Smith’s announcement wasn’t unexpected in Alberta’s polarized political environment. Yet what is the premier expected to do when the provincial contract with the RCMP is expiring in 2032, and the force is indicating it plans to stop leasing out its services?
Preparing for that transition years in advance makes good sense. Infrastructure will need to be built or purchased, and officers will need to train to fill the expanded roles. Indeed, if the province didn’t prepare for the change in RCMP services after having been warned to do so, it would be rightly accused of being irresponsible.
It is fair to question Smith’s motives with the new force, though. The premier is facing pressure from a growing provincial independence movement on her right flank, and moving away from federal police services could be a way to toss them a bone. Her move could be characterized as a capitulation to separatists, which may further inflame regional tensions.
Smith’s first move after being elected premier was to table the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act. One of the more contentious aspects of that legislation was that it empowered the provincial justice minister to direct the RCMP not to comply with the gun buyback initiative of the federal government. It brings into question just which level of government has control over setting the mandate of the RCMP. While it’s a federal force, it is contracted by the provincial government. If a provincial force takes over most of the policing in the province, it removes the federal government’s ability to direct local policing.
The RCMP is an internationally recognized and respected symbol of Canada. It is one of the oldest police forces in the world. It is also due for changes and modernization. Morale among the force is low, and they have experienced a crisis in the ability to recruit new members. Critiques of the workplace culture and management have become commonplace, and alleged political interference from the prime minister’s office during the Nova Scotia shooting investigation undermined confidence in the independence of the force.
If the RCMP can’t implement some solid reforms, the entire force could collapse. At a time when Canada is trying to reignite national pride and identity, losing a symbol as powerful as the Mounties would come as a blow.
As a scaled-down force with a distinctly federal mandate, the RCMP could maintain traditions while working more effectively. Much like the FBI in the United States, the RCMP could focus on major and interprovincial crimes while leaving local policing to provincial and municipal forces. It always has been a waste to have highly trained RCMP officers doing speed traps on rural back roads. The force could also continue with ceremonial roles such as the Musical Ride while wearing the traditional Red Serge. There is a role for the RCMP in Canada, but the force must be reformed soon.
Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador all have provincial police forces. They work in conjunction with the RCMP when they need to, and it works well. The reasons to oppose Alberta’s creation of a force are political rather than practical.
If the RCMP does end contract services, provinces reliant upon them would be well served to prepare for the transition now rather than rushing when the time comes. They must be able to set aside partisan brinkmanship to do it right, though. If Alberta is any example, it won’t be easy for politicians and activists to do so.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
