Trudeau Touts RCMP’s Reconciliation, Modernization Efforts in 150th Anniversary Message

Members of the RCMP march during the Calgary Stampede parade in Calgary on July 6, 2018. The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have been in existence for 150 years as of May 23, and the occasion was marked by a message that day from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“For a century and a half, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has served and protected Canadians. Today, we thank all RCMP employees, past and present, for their dedication, relentless commitment, and significant contributions to our country,” Trudeau said in a May 23 statement.

He said the RCMP “is one of the most respected police organizations in the world,” and “remains committed to becoming a more modern, inclusive, accountable, and trusted police organization for all Canadians.”

According to Trudeau, the RCMP launched Vision150 in 2018 as “a modernization plan to put people first and improve transparency, accountability, and conduct, including through initiatives to reduce systemic racism and gender-based discrimination.”

“As we mark this milestone anniversary, we acknowledge that while the errors of the past cannot be forgotten, they can be learned from. The RCMP will continue to support healing and reconciliation, as it continues to keep our communities safe now and into the future,” he said.

The RCMP has struggled with the recruitment of new officers in recent years. During a hearing before the Senate Committee on National Defence, Security, and Veterans Affairs, Nadine Huggins, the force’s chief human resources officer, said the RCMP was “experiencing unprecedented challenges to recruit sufficient numbers of applicants.” The force has also created an independent centre for harassment resolution, after allegations in recent years about issues within the service.

Huggins said the RCMP was “working diligently to improve our culture.”

The RCMP said in a May 23 statement on the 150th Anniversary that they plan to modernize and continue reconciliation efforts.

“It’s a significant moment that calls on us to reflect on who we are, where we’ve come from, and where we’re going based on 150 years of lessons learned. In marking this anniversary, we must acknowledge that the RCMP has played a role in some of Canada’s most difficult and dark moments. There’s no questioning that we’ve faced our fair share of challenges,” said RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme.

He said work was underway “to continue our modernization and reconciliation efforts, and to ensure the organization reflects the diversity of the communities we proudly serve.”

Canadians rely on the RCMP to stay safe, said Duheme. “It’s critical that we continue to foster their trust and confidence in us by acting with integrity, showing respect, and serving with excellence,” he said.

The commissioner also thanked the more than 30,000 RCMP employees working in Canada and abroad, and said the work can be “challenging” due to long hours, unknown factors when starting a shift, and moving to new communities as part of the job. “The day-to-day life of policing can be hard on you and your loved ones,” said the commissioner.

“It’s important to remember, especially through the challenging times, that this job affords us the duty and the ability to help others and change lives. It’s an incredible privilege that we should never take for granted,” said Duheme.

On March 17, then-RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki retired, stating it was “a personal decision.” Lucki was approaching the end of a five-year term, which began on April 16, 2018. She was the organization’s 24th commissioner and the force’s first permanent female commissioner.

Lucki stated it was a difficult decision, but said the RCMP was “well placed to shine in its 150th year.”

She cited various steps she said the force had taken in recent years to “modernize,” increase accountability, and “address systemic racism.” She said the RCMP had made “great progress” in advancing reconciliation with indigenous people.

Lucki took leadership of the organization after long-standing concerns of bullying and harassment had been alleged within the force. Her statement indicated she was asked to modernize and address the RCMP’s internal challenges, which she called a “significant mandate.”

Doug Lett contributed to this report.