Terms of reference

Whereas A Matter of Trust: Report of the Independent Investigator into Matters Relating to RCMP Pension and Insurance Plans, dated June 15, 2007, made certain recommendations related to the RCMP's handling of reports of mismanagement or irregularities in the administration of the RCMP's pension and insurance plans;

And whereas the Independent Investigator recommended the establishment of a Task Force to examine governance and cultural change issues as they relate to the RCMP;

Therefore, Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, pursuant to paragraph 127.1(1)(c) of the Public Service Employment Act, hereby appoints to the position of special adviser to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and to the President of the Treasury Board, David A. Brown, Q.C., of Kettleby, Ontario, as Chair of the Task Force on Governance and Cultural Change in the RCMP, to hold office during pleasure for a term ending on December 31, 2007; and

1. specifies the following as the mandate of the Task Force:
   1. to review and consider the challenges faced by the RCMP as set out in the Report of the Independent Investigator into Matters Relating to RCMP Pension and Insurance Plans; and make recommendations on the following issues:
      1. the internal management structure of the RCMP including committees and branches, and ways to better ensure they are properly mandated according to modern governance principles of accountability and transparency;
      2. means by which a challenge and oversight function could be introduced into the internal management of the RCMP, including how such functions could be effectively integrated into the structure and culture of a modern police organization;
      3. means to ensure that senior management is held appropriately accountable;
      4. identifying a process to better ensure that the Commissioner and senior management establish and maintain an appropriate ethical structure based on the RCMP's Mission, Vision and Values;
      5. ensuring that the RCMP's workplace disclosure policy is appropriate, that mechanisms are in place to ensure protection from reprisal, and that appropriate, clear and decisive corrective measures are taken;
      6. ensuring compatibility between an effective workplace disclosure policy and the process for reporting possible breaches of the Code of Conduct;
      7. ways to improve the accountability, timeliness and effectiveness of the RCMP disciplinary scheme in the RCMP Act and Regulations, including possible changes to the Code of Conduct and the one-year limitation period; and
      8. considering ways of fostering a constructive partnership between civilian and public service employees and regular members at the executive level of the Force;
   2. to adopt any procedures for the expedient and proper conduct of the Task Force, including reviewing all relevant records, and consulting senior officials from the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Treasury Board Secretariat, the RCMP, and others as appropriate;
   3. to submit a report in both official languages to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and to the President of the Treasury Board which will provide the recommendations of the Task Force, including any recommendations to amend the RCMP Act and RCMP Regulations; and
2. fixes his remuneration as set out in the annexed schedule, which per diem is within the range $1,200 – $1,400.