After facing scathing criticism from the Assembly of First Nations for a lack of action to protect Indigenous lobster fishers in Nova Scotia and rising tensions in other parts of the country RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki appeared before a Parliamentary Committee Monday to explain how the Mounties will improve relations with First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities.
Lucki told the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security that the RCMP is beefing up diversity training for its employees. “We added employee diversity, we’re looking at anti racism training mandatory, but it will be slightly delayed because we are going to co-develop that anti racism training with the people that are most impacted by that, and getting a lot of input to create that training. But in the meantime, we have rolled out cultural and humility training and all senior managers have taken it, it’s rolled out to all employees and it will be mandatory for each and every employee,” Lucki explained.
“We have established an office and RCMP indigenous code development, collaboration and accountability office that will reach into the communities. Of course, we’re continuing to implement our national and divisional reconciliation strategies. We want to increase the use of restorative justice, especially with a focus on pre-charge restorative justice, we want to advance the equity diversity and inclusion within our organization as well.”
Yet this response may not be enough for AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde, who on Oct. 23 called for Lucki to be replaced.
“Given months of civil unrest and multiple issues relating to the safety of First Nations people across the country, I will be writing to Prime Minister Trudeau to express that we have lost confidence in Royal Canadian Mounted Police Commissioner Brenda Lucki. The safety and security of all Canadians, including First Nations people, must be the top priority of the Prime Minister and the federal government. I am asking the Prime Minister to remove Commissioner Lucki and to replace her with someone who will focus greater attention on public safety and combating racism,” stated Bellegarde.
The Prime Minister has expressed confidence in Lucki. However, Kamal Khera, a Liberal on the Committee asked Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, what the RCMP is doing to address systemic racism in the RCMP.
“You certainly acknowledge that there is systemic racism within the RCMP, and there are things that needed to be addressed. And yet we continue to see disappointing situations involving RCMP involvement with indigenous communities. Can you comment on tangible measures being taken since and within your mandate since our last meeting to address these ongoing shortcomings of the RCMP,” asked Khera?
Blair deferred to Lucki to explain what the force is doing.