Public Safety Minister visits RCMP Training Academy

REGINA, September 10, 2007 – The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, today visited the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Training Academy, Depot Division. The Academy is being upgraded as a result of $37 million in funding over two years from Canada's New Government.

"The work of the RCMP is of paramount importance in keeping our communities safe and our government is committed to providing the RCMP with the tools and resources needed to fulfill these important duties," said Minister Day. "Today, I am pleased to see firsthand how this investment is helping cadets and officers to develop and maintain the skills they need to protect Canadians."

Joining the Minister in his visit was William Elliott, Commissioner of the RCMP.

"The RCMP's Training Academy is key to our commitment to safe communities," said Commissioner Elliott. "It's no secret the RCMP is hiring. Everything we do to improve facilities or enhance Depot results in a better experience for cadets and better trained peace officers."

Some of the work to be carried out with the funds to modernize the Academy into a state-of-the-art facility includes:

• addition of a new 25-metre indoor firing range
• construction of a new food services building
• upgrades to electrical facilities infrastructure at the Academy
• expansion of the Academy gymnasium
• construction of dormitories

This investment in the Training Academy adds to steps already taken by Canada's New Government to provide the RCMP with the tools and resources they need to keep Canadians safe, including $161 million in funding over two years to begin to add 1,000 new RCMP personnel.

Information:

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657

Mélisa Leclerc
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Stockwell Day
Minister of Public Safety
613-991-2863