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Ensuring Police Accountability in Cases of National Security Complaints

2009:02 - Ensuring RCMP Accountability in Cases of National Security Complaints

Whereas:

  1. After the 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S., Canada expanded the RCMP’s role in national security.
  2. By 2005, concerns arose regarding RCMP abuses of power in national security cases, reinforced by Justice O’Connor’s report on the Maher Arar case.
  3. Allegations suggest other individuals may have been illegally detained overseas by the RCMP.
  4. It has been suggested that civilian oversight of RCMP’s national security functions should be reviewed to determine if:
    • The Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP should be restructured and renamed as the Independent Complaints and National Security Review Agency for the RCMP (ICRA).
    • A new review mechanism for RCMP actions should be established.
    • The current review system should remain unchanged.

Resolved 1:

  • The National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) adopts policy supporting independent oversight of the RCMP’s national security role.

Resolved 2:

  • The NCWC urges the Government of Canada to:
    • Review and implement recommendations from the second O’Connor Report and other research-based proposals.
    • Establish an independent and effective complaint and oversight system for the RCMP’s national security role without delay.