'Toxic environment' and favouritism plague RCMP watchdog, review finds
Article content
The workplace assessment of the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP found 'a clear call for change and action at the leadership level to restore credibility and trust within the organization.'
Article content
Article content
The Canadian Press recently obtained a copy of the May 2024 assessment, almost six months after filing an Access to Information request with Public Safety Canada, which ordered the report.
Article content
Article content
The Ottawa-based review commission is an independent agency created by Parliament to ensure public complaints about the conduct of RCMP members are examined fairly and impartially.
Article content
In a June 2024 note to Public Safety summarizing his findings, Neron said the anonymous email had alleged the review commission was in total disarray because of a lack of leadership from the commission chairperson.
Article content
Michelaine Lahaie was serving in the role at that time.
Article content
Neron's summary, heavily redacted before release under the access law, rejected the pointed allegation against the chairperson — a conclusion he reached after interviewing commission employees, including Lahaie, and circulating a detailed questionnaire to staff.
Article content
Article content
Neron found employees generally felt engaged with their work and that most believed leadership treated them fairly and provided constructive feedback.
Article content
Article content
The report says a significant number felt overwhelmed by their workloads, causing stress and making them less satisfied with their jobs.
Article content
It cites a 'notable communication gap' between the leadership and staff, with many employees saying organizational messaging was too infrequent and lacked clarity and consistency.
Article content
The report says feedback from employees on methods of resolving conflict was mixed, 'with a distinct portion of the workforce feeling unsupported.'
Article content
There were also multiple complaints of 'a toxic work environment' due to the behaviour and practices of leadership.
Article content
'The staff expresses a strong desire to address and resolve this toxic environment,' the report says. 'They seek an anonymous reporting system to report workplace misconduct, especially involving senior managers.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Calgary Herald
2 hours ago
- Calgary Herald
Breakenridge: Government needs to end the charade of Alberta Next
Article content For example, with regard to the claim in the video that Ottawa sets local RCMP policing priorities, Duheme points out that under the existing agreements, it is the municipality that sets those priorities for the police force contracted to that municipality. Article content The letter also disputes the claim that unilingual Alberta RCMP members are denied promotional opportunities. Duheme notes that all commissioned positions in Alberta are deemed 'English essential' and not subjected to bilingualism requirements. Article content And as to the video's claim that the RCMP can move members out of a community 'at a moment's notice,' the letter argues that 'the process to relocate a member includes careful planning to support them and their families should they choose to pursue another opportunity.' Article content Article content Now, for most Albertans, these points aren't as relevant since municipal police forces already handle most community policing. But the idea that some communities could suddenly lose members to abrupt transfers or have policing priorities dictated or overruled by a distant and detached federal government would be of concern to all Albertans. Article content Surely the province is not oblivious to the reality of how such claims will be received, hence their prominence in this video. However, if the claims are not true, then obviously the Alberta government shouldn't be including them in the first place. If the goal is to influence public opinion on this issue, then the motivation becomes clearer. Article content If the government is hellbent on making these changes, it should just say so. But spare us the charade of pretending otherwise. If they genuinely want to know what Albertans think, then a course correction is badly needed.
Edmonton Journal
2 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
Rob Breakenridge: Government needs to end the charade of Alberta Next
After they were clearly stung by the overwhelmingly negative response in their Alberta Pension Plan Survey, it's not surprising to see the Alberta government leaving less to chance with the Alberta Next process. Article content There's something to be said for a government that's genuinely interested in citizen feedback on important issues, but that assumes there's not a preferred or predetermined outcome. In that case, then, they needn't bother. Article content Article content Article content For example, the government is already altering some of the survey questions that deal with an Alberta Pension Plan, a Provincial Police Force, and an Alberta Revenue Agency. In all three cases, there was no option for respondents to disagree with the proposals (although folks who had already completed the survey aren't allowed to complete it a second time). Article content These are consequential and expensive changes, and Albertans deserve to be consulted before we go down these paths. However, it seems like those decisions have already been made, and this whole exercise is about providing cover. Article content The first two Alberta Next town halls were held in July, with three to follow in August and five more in September. There's still time for the government to ease up on the message control and allow this to be a genuine consultation. Article content Article content Even though some of the survey questions will finally offer a 'none of the above' option, there's still the issue of the government-produced videos that must be viewed before taking part in the surveys. These are clearly not objective and neutral presentations of the facts. Article content Article content The video that accompanies the questions about an Alberta Provincial Police Force was skewed enough to prompt a response last week from RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme. Again, there could be benefits to Alberta transitioning community policing to a provincial force. There could also be benefits to ending contract policing altogether and refocusing the RCMP on federal policing responsibilities. Article content But it's also a question that deserves a thorough and honest discourse. As the commissioner's three-page letter details, Alberta Next is falling short in that regard.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Alert Ready message issued outside Fredericton for people reportedly carrying firearms
An Alert Ready message advising residents to shelter in place has been issued outside Fredericton Tuesday morning. The New Brunswick RCMP said in a post on social media just after 8 a.m. that it was searching for a person believed to be 'carrying weapons with dangerous intent' in the area of Route 104 in Zealand. An Alert Ready message was issued about 20 minutes later in the Zealand and Burtts Corner regions. Alert Ready message An Alert Ready message issued in New Brunswick the morning of July 29, 2025. Police now say they are searching for 'individuals' reported to be carrying weapons. Correction - Police are searching for individuals who are believed to be carrying weapons with dangerous intent in the area of Route 104 in #Zealand. — RCMP New Brunswick (@RCMPNB) July 29, 2025 Residents are asked to shelter in place and avoid the area. More to come… For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
