Latest news with #PoliceAmendmentAct
CBC
27-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Little progress on Police Act reforms 3 years in, critics say
Three years after an all-party report gave provincial leaders recommendations to transform policing in British Columbia, critics say progress has stalled, with many critical steps yet to be taken. The Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act was appointed in 2020 to initiate reforms related to modernizing the police, addressing systemic racism, and its impact on mental health and addiction. It followed the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer and the ensuing movement to examine systemic racism in policing. "Over the last 15 months, it has become clear that transformative change is required to achieve a new vision of policing and community safety rooted in decolonization, anti-racism, community, and accountability," said the final report from the special committee on April 28, 2022. The 11 recommendations included calls for First Nations to have control over police governance in their communities, the creation of a provincial police force, the formation of a new approach to mental health calls, and the establishment of an all-party standing committee to oversee the implementation of the report's changes. "Very little progress has been made with respect to the Police Act amendments to make sure that we have a contemporary police service … it's kind of dropped off the forefront," said former B.C. solicitor general Kash Heed. "It's a massive challenge, and you've got to have the will to do it. The policymakers do not have the will to do it." The impact of this prolonged inaction, according to First Nations leaders and former politicians, is significant: continued issues with systemic racism in policing, higher costs, and challenges with transparency and governance. Timeline for provincial police service unclear Garry Begg, the minister of public safety and solicitor general for British Columbia, who served on the committee, says the province intends to implement all of the recommendations — but could not provide a timeline. "Things have changed pretty dramatically, and the progress that we've seen is quite remarkable," said Begg, who answers the critics by pointing to changes to policing in tone, mindset, and consultation with First Nations communities. "I think it's an evolution, not a revolution," said Begg. "It is something that requires gradual change and requires a tremendous amount of legal work that is always done behind the scenes, but I'm satisfied that we're making progress that puts us where we should be." Tiffany Parton, the executive director of the B.C Association of Chiefs of Police, declined an interview for this story, saying she is bound by a non-disclosure agreement. Parton said she has been working with the Ministry of Public Safety in response to the report, but is "unsure of what the future holds in relation to a provincial police force," one of the report's major recommendations. Delays come at cost to community, critics say In April 2024, B.C. passed Bill 17, the Police Amendment Act, which made changes to police governance and oversight, largely affecting police boards and municipalities, including requirements for police boards to create a code of conduct and updated procedures for handling complaints. However, Adam Olsen, the former MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, who also served on the committee, says he feels the changes are "transactional," and represent the priorities of the Ministry of Public Safety, not what the committee heard the public wanted. Olsen says he has been disappointed to see little progress on many of the recommendations. For instance, he says B.C. is no closer to having a provincial police service or the co-ordination of mental health services with 911 emergency responses. He says the cost of these delays has made public safety a political football in the legislature. "My patience is thin because the thing that we discussed as a committee is being effective at diminishing the politicization of public safety," Olsen said. "What have we seen over the last year and a half? Total politicization of public safety." Cloy-e-iis (Judith Sayers), the president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, says she and other board members of the B.C. First Nations Justice Council were surprised when Bill 17 was announced last year, as they hadn't been consulted. She says the legislation doesn't recognize First Nations' traditional laws, and categorizes First Nations policing as designated units, not a full police force. She says she would like to see some action on independent oversight by First Nations over policing in their communities. "We're not seeing the action that we need. We're not seeing changes," Sayers said. "We keep on seeing shootings of First Nations people by police, and it hasn't stopped." Heed says that at this point, he believes it will take a significant amount of public pressure or another catalyst like George Floyd's murder to spark politicians to enact the widespread changes that have been called for. "I'm not optimistic that it's going to happen in the next decade or so," he said. 'However, you would think we'd have a government that would be creative enough to deliver the service to the community in a very accountable, effective and efficient way."
CBC
01-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Confusion, questions surround new Alberta policing committee obligations
New rules requiring Alberta municipalities to form or join policing committees that oversee RCMP operations are now in effect, but some communities have yet to form them and still have questions about how they will work. The provincial government passed the Police Amendment Act in 2022 and created new regulations for civilian governance bodies. Under the new rules, which came into effect Saturday, RCMP-policed communities with populations of more than 15,000 must form municipal policing committees, which would represent local concerns to RCMP leadership. Mid-size communities — those with populations between 5,000 and 15,000 — join one of four regional committees, which are aligned with the RCMP's eastern, western, central and southern districts. Small communities with less than 5,000 people are represented by a provincial advisory board. Mike Ellis, the minister of public safety and emergency services, has said these new governance bodies give Albertans more say in how the RCMP police their communities. However, multiple mayors and municipal leaders say there are unanswered questions about committee formation, responsibilities and benefits. "There's a little bit of confusion now about where a municipality might lie, what the roles and responsibilities are and how they go about setting that up," said Tyler Gandam, Alberta Municipalities president and mayor of Wetaskiwin. "I think even the province is well aware of this March 1 deadline being kind of a moving target." To join or not to join Some larger cities, like Airdrie, Red Deer and Leduc, have already passed bylaws establishing municipal policing committees. Leduc's mayor, Bob Young, said applications are open for its committee, which will be up and running by the end of the month. A council member, city administrator and RCMP officer will recommend candidates to council, he said. Some mid-size municipalities are struggling to decide whether to join or opt out of regional committees. Opting out requires ministerial approval, and the community must either establish its own municipal policing committee or join one with another municipality. Redcliff, a southern Alberta town northwest of Medicine Hat, plans to create its own committee but it won't meet the March 1 deadline. Mayor Dwight Kilpatrick said southern Alberta is fairly widespread and the town's nearest mid-size neighbours appeared to also want their own policing committees, he said. "The regional idea didn't look like it was going to work," he said. Peace River, on the other hand, has decided to join a regional committee for now but may strike out on its own in the future. Mayor Elaine Manzer said council wants to ensure the regional group pays attention to Peace River's unique characteristics, like its northern location and provincial correctional centre. She said council members don't yet know how much influence the town will have in regional committee meetings. "Like others, we've got many questions as to what these committees are really supposed to do," she said. Communities with municipal and regional policing committees must pay the costs of running them — a concern and unknown quantity for some councils. Young said he expects the committee costs will be minimal; Kilpatrick said he's concerned about any costs associated with a provincially appointed committee member. The minister may appoint people to both municipal and regional policing committees. Arthur Green, press secretary for Public Safety and Emergency Services, said the government recognizes some communities need more time to determine the best approach and pass necessary bylaws. Green said 25 to 35 municipal policing committees are expected to be formed. Once municipalities finish appointing people, the minister may appoint others "to ensure balanced representation and expertise." "Ultimately, this new system strengthens public safety by making policing more responsive to local needs and ensuring that all communities — regardless of size or location — have a say in law enforcement priorities," he said in an emailed statement. Concerns over board Small and rural communities, which will be represented by the new provincial police advisory board, won't have to pay for its operating costs. Rural Municipalities of Alberta president Kara Westerlund said the association is concerned about how a 15-person board will adequately represent more than 300 communities. "I don't have a crystal ball, but I'm going to tell you there is obviously going to be some extreme difficulties making sure that voices ... are heard all the way up," she said. She said RMA has a seat on the board, as does Alberta Municipalities, but municipalities are worried about who the other appointees will be and how they were chosen. Green said the government is balancing expertise, lived experiences and regional representation in making the appointments and the full list of board members will be announced once all positions are confirmed. RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said the organization has a well-established framework for developing policing priorities and the service is happy to include policing committees in it.
