Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence

Issue 13 - Thirteenth Report of the Committee

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence has the honour to present its

THIRTEENTH REPORT

Your committee, to which was referred Bill C-42, An Act to amend the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts, in obedience to the order of reference of Thursday, April 18, 2013, examined the said bill and now reports the same without amendment.

Your committee has also made certain observations, which are appended to this report.

Respectfully submitted,

DANIEL LANG

Chair

OBSERVATIONS
to the Thirteenth Report of theStanding Senate Committee
on National Security and Defence

Your committee believes that C-42 will help transform the RCMP into a modern, accountable police force and as such, is supportive of the measures contained in Bill C-42. We do, however, wish to make a few observations.

Your committee feels that cultural transformation in the RCMP is necessary, which requires not only the legislative tools and authorities found in Bill C-42, but strong leadership, clear lines of accountability, guidance, ongoing education, and greater transparency.

To ensure that the policy intentions of Bill C-42 are achieved, your committee requests that a study and review of the implementation of Bill C-42, by the appropriate committees of the Senate and the House of Commons, take place three years after the Bill comes into effect.

Your committee would also urge Treasury Board to consider all aspects of conversion before any actions are taken to convert civilian RCMP members to public service employees, as set out in Section 86 of Bill C-42. The committee recommends that the principle of fairness and vesting of existing rights of current employees guide the Government's decisions in this matter.