Press Conference in Response to the Tabling of the Brown Report

Remarks by the
Honourable Stockwell Day
Minister of Public Safety

Ottawa, Ontario
June 18, 2007
As Delivered

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen for your attendance here today and for your interest in this very important matter before us.

As you are aware, last March, when testimonies were coming forward about the RCMP pension plan, the insurance plans and the investigations around that, the situation had reached such a point that we recognized an investigation of some intensity was going to be required. Within 24 hours of that time, we announced that there would be an investigative force assembled to look at the problem.

Of course, you are aware that Mr. Brown was tasked with that role and his report was requested by June 15, 2007. That report was delivered on time. I want to first thank Mr. Brown and all the people who worked with him – many forensic auditors, administrative people, staff people.

I also want to thank Beverly Busson, the RCMP's acting Commissioner. She made a commitment at the start of this process that anybody who would be required to come forward to give testimony to this particular investigation would be required to do so. Mr. Brown articulated that he was very pleased that every person he wanted testimony from came forward.

They have reviewed some 400,000 electronic documents, something in the order of 35,000 pages of documents, 3,200 or more emails, and the testimony at the Public Accounts Committee. This has been a very thorough investigation. I want to also thank the Public Accounts Committee for their work and their deliberation on the information that led up to this investigation.

I want to announce today that the Government of Canada is going to accept all the recommendations of the Brown report related to this matter.

First of all, one of a number of questions that was put to Mr. Brown was should there be, following this investigation, another investigation of the order invoking the Public Enquiries Act?

Mr. Brown has concluded that this is a time for action. Another investigation – the eighth – would not be necessary. We are proceeding along those lines. This is a time for action. We want to act on the recommendations from Mr. Brown's report.

Secondly, he pointed out something that is obvious to many people; there is a need of a new type of governance structure for the RCMP. This is a large organization. Some 26,000 people work for the RCMP. It is a $3-billion-a-year operation, with a multibillion dollar pension plan. And it has all the human resource issues that would arise in any modern organization. There is clearly a time when a command and control structure is necessary.

Now, when you have a tactical team going into a high-risk threat situation, this is not the time for sitting around tables and having committee meetings. It is the time for command and control when decision-making is required and action has to take place.

But on the other side of an organization of this size, it is necessary to have a governance structure to guarantee transparency, accountability and review. It will also help to promote confidence from its members because people can come forward when there are irregularities that need to be addressed. They can come forward in confidence knowing that their careers will not be damaged.

This is why we are in agreement with the recommendation that a task force be put together, representing all the various parties that would be required. That task force would look at the issues related to governance and have this operation move ahead in terms of corporate structure. We want that task force to do its work and report back to us before the end of this year.

Clearly we will have consultations about the make-up of that task force. We will looking for advice from the various institutions that would be involved – the Public Accounts Committee, colleagues in Parliament, policing associations and others who are familiar with modern day structures of this nature.

This is why we agree with the recommendation of having a task force that can recommend the changes needed to give an organization like this a modernized structure able to respond to the pressures exerted by daily operations, the members and the public.

That recommendation will go hand-in-hand with addressing the issues that have in some ways plagued the organization. As you know, Mr. Brown pointed to the fact that simply having a new person at the top is not the answer. There has to be a change in the structure itself.

We also looked at the question of the RCMP Act. We have been looking at that in parallel with Mr. Brown's report and we have recognized that there needs to be changes to the RCMP Act when it comes to the process of disciplinary and conduct reviews.

There have been concerns expressed that there are times when a conduct review does not take place as it should because a certain time line has passed. In discussions with Commissioner Busson on this, I have learned that she has already taken steps in this direction. You will be hearing more about changes on this issue.

We will be seeing an RCMP bill, and we will also review and recommend changes and processes in the RCMP bill to ensure the confidence of RCMP members and the public and ensure that we have an effective piece of legislation.

It is also noted in Mr. Brown's report that there should be a recognition of those who were diligent, who persevered and had the courage to continue bringing forward their concerns. Even though at times, their careers were affected.

Mr. Brown's recommendation on this matter was that the service records of these people should reflect, in a positive way, what they have done. This is an operational decision for the RCMP and in discussions with Commissioner Busson, I have had assurance that this indeed will be taking place.

I want to publicly congratulate and thank those individuals who stepped forward, who stuck with it, who persevered. Chief Superintendent Macaulay was instrumental. Ms Revine, who right from the beginning identified irregularities and stuck with it, even, as observed by Mr. Brown, to the point where her health and life were affected, she persevered in wanting answers to these irregularities.

Sergeant Frizzell also persevered, showed courage and stayed with the task as did Staff Sergeant Walker and Lewis. Again, I have assurances that they will be properly commended for that. Their service files will recommend this.

We agree with Mr. Brown's recommendation that we need recognize and congratulate the individuals who showed courage, who upheld their convictions that there were problems and that the situation needed to be improved.

On the question of criminality, again Mr. Brown looked at this issue, recognized the fact that the Ottawa Police Service had done a criminal investigation. But he also reflected on the fact that it did not have the appearance of independence.

He did not in any way suggest negatively that the Chief or others involved in the investigation had done anything untoward in that investigation. But the incidents and the amount of involvement with the RCMP officers who were posted to the investigation done by the Ottawa Police Service gives the impression that it did not have a fully independent ability to proceed. That was also observed, as you know, by the Auditor General.

And so he is recommending that the Ontario Police Service be called upon to review the investigation that was done by the Ottawa Police Service to give it an independent evaluation and look at the question of criminality.

We also accept Mr. Brown's recommendation that, because this is an operational situation, it is necessary that the RCMP ask the Ontario Provincial Police to conduct a review to determine whether there are any criminal aspects involved in the situation, the people and the insurance system.

Again, this is an operational matter. I have discussed this with the Commissioner as she has looked over the recommendations and she is taking the necessary steps to make sure this moves forward.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is an organization with a proud history, but history is built on how organizations handle themselves in the present. That is how they can ensure themselves a robust future. I have great confidence in the present actions of the RCMP, its men and women across the country who are there for us every day, assuring the safety and security of our communities, our loved ones, our streets and provinces and territories.

I also want to make sure, as do all Canadians and our Government, that the future of the RCMP continues to be one of optimism, where members will know that they have a duty to perform. They already do that with pride. But they should also know that if they have issues that they want to raise, regarding possible irregularities in the commission of their duties, that those issues will be addressed. And that bringing forward things that people feel strongly need to be looked at will not in any way be detrimental to their careers or the careers of others.

With confidence, I'm looking forward to the days and the weeks – and in the case of the task force – the months ahead to make sure that we continue to have a robust organization that is recognized worldwide, not just nationally, for its tremendous policing capabilities.

Once again, I wish to thank everyone involved. Our government has confidence in the RCMP, as do Canadians from coast to coast, and the organization will continue to be a police force with effective, courageous members who can handle the work ahead of them.

Thank you very much for your interest in this matter.