Canadian government creates new review commission for RCMP and CBSA

The PCRC Act will be the first federal statute to require the collection, analysis and reporting of demographic and race-based data on complainants

The Canadian government has passed legislation establishing an independent review body to oversee the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

A news release highlighted that Bill C-20, which received Royal Assent on October 31, creates the Public Complaints and Review Commission (PCRC). The commission, the “first-ever independent complaints and review body,” will investigate public complaints about officer conduct and service levels at both agencies.

“The PCRC Act will be the first federal statute to require the collection, analysis and reporting of demographic and race-based data on complainants, an important step that will contribute to identifying systemic issues within our law enforcement and develop better-informed solutions to combat them,” the news release noted.

“The passage of Bill C-20 is a huge step forward in terms of accountability and transparency in the realm of law enforcement in Canada,” said Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc. “For the first time, complaints about the conduct and level of service provided by CBSA employees will be subject to independent review by a body with a legislated mandate and powers. Our democracy will be stronger for it.”