ARCHIVED - Governments of Canada and British Columbia Co-host Inaugural RCMP Contract Management Committee Meeting

OTTAWA, Ontario, June 11, 2012 — Canada's Public Safety Minister, Vic Toews, and British Columbia's Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Shirley Bond, today announced the conclusion of the inaugural meeting of the RCMP Contract Management Committee, held in Victoria last week. Through this new Committee, contract provinces and territories have a stronger voice in RCMP Contract Policing in their jurisdictions.

“I am very pleased with the positive outcome of last week's RCMP Contract Management Committee meeting. This is a step in the right direction for provinces, giving police the tools they need to do their jobs and ensuring fairness for Canadian taxpayers. It is a welcome and constructive beginning to the new RCMP Police Services Agreements which took effect on April 1,” said Minister Toews. “This Committee will play a key role in ensuring that contract jurisdictions have real and meaningful input into important decisions concerning accountability and keeping policing costs low.”

This inaugural meeting was co-hosted by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia, and was attended by officials from each contract province and territory, as well as municipal representation. RCMP Commissioner, Bob Paulson, spoke about the future of the RCMP as it works with each jurisdiction in a joint, proactive approach to deal with issues, especially those of transparency and accountability. RCMP officials briefed participants on issues affecting RCMP Contract Policing in their jurisdictions and committee members discussed the future operations of the Committee, including establishing standing committees and working groups to focus on specific subjects.

“When we signed the new contract in March, I said that federal, provincial and local governments of British Columbia are forging a new relationship in contract policing, one that's based on collaboration, transparency and a higher level of accountability to our communities than ever before,” said Minister Bond. “The role of the Contract Management Committee is central to fulfilling this commitment, and I am pleased that this positive, productive process is underway.”

“The meeting that took place last week demonstrates that all parties are committed to working together in an efficient and collaborative way to help ensure the safety and security of Canadians,” added Minister Toews.

Creating the Contract Management Committee was an important step in implementing the new RCMP Police Services Agreements recently signed by eight provinces and the territories. It will help ensure that the new Agreements are implemented, administered and managed to ensure enhanced accountability and predictability. It will enable partners to identify, discuss, analyze and resolve any contract management issues, including cost containment issues, that may arise over the 20-year term of the Agreements.

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Date modified:

2015-11-26