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Toronto Sun
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Watchdog says military police still resisting civilian oversight
Published Jun 17, 2025 • 2 minute read File photo of Canadian Forces. Photo by FILE PHOTO / POSTMEDIA NETWORK OTTAWA — The military police watchdog says resistance to civilian oversight in the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal's office 'worsened' last year. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Military Police Complaints Commission released a report Tuesday accusing the provost's office — which commands all military police in Canada — of 'shutting down' complaints based on a 'dubious' interpretation of the National Defence Act. In its report, the watchdog said the provost's office has been failing to advise complainants of their right to have their cases reviewed by the complaints commission as required by law, and is routinely refusing to respond to complaints made in interference cases. Interference cases come up when a military police member files a complaint alleging that a member of the Canadian Armed Forces or a senior official in the Department of National Defence has attempted to influence an investigation. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'These issues not only persisted but have worsened. In 2024, the (Canadian Forces Provost Marshal) interpreted the National Defence Act in a way that avoids civilian independent oversight. The situation escalated from resistance to outright refusal to respect the oversight regime mandated by Parliament,' the watchdog's report said. 'This includes shutting down complaints without having the authority based on dubious interpretations of the National Defence Act as detailed in this report. These roadblocks are hindering the civilian oversight of the military police.' Tammy Tremblay, Military Police Complaints Commission chair, declined an interview request. The report calls for law reform to ensure the commission has the ability to access 'information necessary to investigate complaints.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Without this legislative reform, there is a risk that the barriers the MPCC faces in exercising its mandate continue to dilute the will of Parliament in establishing an oversight system for the military police,' the report said. The report also says that individual members of the military police 'respect and understand' the watchdog's mandate and the problem of 'refusal of civilian oversight' stems from senior leadership. Brig.-Gen. Vanessa Hanrahan took over command of the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal's office in December, replacing Maj.-Gen. Simon Trudeau, who had held the position for the previous six and a half years. Toronto Maple Leafs Canada NHL Toronto Maple Leafs Music
CTV News
17-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Watchdog says military police still resisting civilian oversight
The National Defence building is seen in Ottawa on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld) OTTAWA — The Military Police Complaints Commission says resistance to civilian oversight in the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal's office 'worsened' last year. The Military Police Complaints Commission released a report Tuesday accusing the provost's office -- which commands all military police in Canada -- of 'shutting down' complaints based on a 'dubious' interpretation of the National Defence Act. In its report, the watchdog said the provost's office has been failing to advise complainants of their right to have their cases reviewed by the complaints commission as required by law, and is routinely refusing to respond to complaints made in interference cases. Interference cases come up when a military police member files a complaint alleging that a member of the Canadian Armed Forces or a senior official in the Department of National Defence has attempted to influence an investigation. 'These issues not only persisted but have worsened. In 2024, the (Canadian Forces Provost Marshal) interpreted the National Defence Act in a way that avoids civilian independent oversight. The situation escalated from resistance to outright refusal to respect the oversight regime mandated by Parliament,' the watchdog's report said. 'This includes shutting down complaints without having the authority based on dubious interpretations of the National Defence Act as detailed in this report. These roadblocks are hindering the civilian oversight of the military police.' Tammy Tremblay, Military Police Complaints Commission chair, declined an interview request. The report calls for law reform to ensure the commission has the ability to access 'information necessary to investigate complaints.' 'Without this legislative reform, there is a risk that the barriers the MPCC faces in exercising its mandate continue to dilute the will of Parliament in establishing an oversight system for the military police,' the report said. The report also says that individual members of the military police 'respect and understand' the watchdog's mandate and the problem of 'refusal of civilian oversight' stems from senior leadership. Brig.-Gen. Vanessa Hanrahan took over command of the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal's office in December, replacing Maj.-Gen. Simon Trudeau, who had held the position for the previous six and a half years. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2025. David Baxter, The Canadian Press
Winnipeg Free Press
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Military police watchdog says military police still resisting civilian oversight
OTTAWA – The Military Police Complaints Commission says resistance to civilian oversight in the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal's office 'worsened' last year. The military police watchdog released a report today saying the provost's office — which commands all military police in Canada — has been 'shutting down' complaints based on a 'dubious' interpretation of the National Defence Act. The watchdog says the provost's office is failing to advise complainants of their right to have their cases reviewed by the complaints commission. The watchdog says this is against the law and 'undermines' a complainant's ability to access justice. The report says these problems, which were raised in the 2023 report, have degraded to the point of 'outright refusal' by the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal's office to 'respect the oversight regime mandated by Parliament.' Brig.-Gen. Vanessa Hanrahan took over command of the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal's office in December, replacing Maj.-Gen. Simon Trudeau, who had held the position for the previous six and a half years. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2025.
Global News
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Canada's military police still resisting civilian oversight, watchdog says
The Military Police Complaints Commission says resistance to civilian oversight in the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal's office 'worsened' last year. The military police watchdog released a report today saying the provost's office — which commands all military police in Canada — has been 'shutting down' complaints based on a 'dubious' interpretation of the National Defence Act. The watchdog says the provost's office is failing to advise complainants of their right to have their cases reviewed by the complaints commission. 1:20 Canada has 'work to do' beyond defence policy update to meet military needs: Bill Blair The watchdog says this is against the law and 'undermines' a complainant's ability to access justice. Story continues below advertisement The report says these problems, which were raised in the 2023 report, have degraded to the point of 'outright refusal' by the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal's office to 'respect the oversight regime mandated by Parliament.' Brig.-Gen. Vanessa Hanrahan took over command of the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal's office in December, replacing Maj.-Gen. Simon Trudeau, who had held the position for the previous six and a half years.
Canada Standard
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Canada Standard
Canadian Forces Provost Marshal response to Military Police Complaints Commission Public Interest Hearing
Canada News Centre 29 May 2025, 00:35 GMT+10 May 28, 2025 - Ottawa, ON - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces The Military Police Complaints Commission (MPCC) plays a vital role in investigating Military Police (MP) interference complaints, reviewing closed and concluded public complaints led by the Military Police at the request of complainants, and leading public interest investigations and hearings. The Canadian Forces Provost Marshal (CFPM) is fully committed to, and supportive of the MPCC's mandate, within the legislative framework afforded under Part IV of the National Defence Act . A public complaint was received by the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal's Office of Professional Standards related the MP response to Master Corporal Orton's death. It was subsequently determined that the complaint was one that could be more appropriately dealt with through a criminal investigation. This is one of several reasons, laid out in the National Defence Act (NDA) s.250.27(4), regarding why a conduct complaint may not require an NDA Part IV conduct investigation by the Office of Professional Standards to appropriately address the matter. The criminal investigation concluded on March 18, 2025. No criminal or code of service discipline charges were laid. However, a Military Police Professional Code of Conduct (MPPCC) investigation was initiated on March 18, 2025, and remains ongoing. The MPPCC is how the CFPM exercises their authority to determine whether administrative action is taken against members of the MP, which could include revocation of MP credentials. During and following the closure of the criminal investigation and the subsequent decision to call a Public Interest Hearing (PIH), the Office of the CFPM has corresponded with the MPCC regarding their request for disclosure of relevant information to support their existing review and in light of the decision to declare a PIH into the same matter. The Office of the CFPM will continue to support the MPCC during the course of the PIH, while ensuring that the integrity of the ongoing MPPCC investigation into this matter is maintained.
