Federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino is calling on the head of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to work closely with indigenous communities to address the traumatic legacy of residential schools.
In a new letter of mandate to the Commissioner of RCMP Brenda Lucki, calling Mr. Mendicino to the National Police to actively issue documents, assist in the discovery of facts and enable other means of investigation as communities seek justice at their own pace.
The Liberal government said the discovery of unmarked graves and graves near former residential schools underscored the need to act more quickly on the path to reconciliation with the First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
In this vein, many of the Minister’s directives RCMP is intended to stimulate improved relations with Aboriginal people.
Mr. Mendicino said he expects to work with Ms. Lucki to accelerate the reform of RCMP over the next two years through improved force recruitment at all levels to better reflect the communities it serves, particularly the indigenous and Black communities.
Mandate update
He asked the boss of RCMP conduct contract policing reviews in consultation with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous and other partners, and work with partners on the “consolidation and expansion” of the United Nations Policing Program First Nations and Inuit.
The letter updates what was sent to Ms Lucki on her appointment as commissioner in 2018.
The Minister said his main objective was to ensure that RCMP meets the needs of Canadians, to combat systematic racism, to eliminate harassment and discrimination and to create a culture of responsibility, diversity and inclusion.
Source: Radio-Canada
