Significant Progress Made on the Complaint Commission's Public Interest Investigation into the RCMP's Involvement in the G8/G20 Summits

The Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP's public interest investigation into the actions of the RCMP at the G8 / G20 summits has made significant progress since being launched on November 5, 2010. The independent investigation is on track to be finalized before the one year target date for completion.

The Commission is acting on a complaint lodged by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) which makes a number of allegations about the conduct of unidentified RCMP members.

The ongoing investigation is focusing on the RCMP's role in planning, intelligence operations, public order units and arrests, among others. Of notable significance, given the high number of arrests made during the G20, arrests by RCMP members appear to number in the single digits.

To date, the RCMP has provided the Commission with all requested material including 21,000 pages of correspondence, plans, emails, and police officers' notes. In addition, the Commission has conducted numerous interviews with RCMP members, complainants and other stakeholders.

Given the multi-jurisdictional and integrated nature of G8 / G20 security, the Commission is consulting with other police oversight bodies to ensure that issues of public concern are fully reviewed and addressed.

As public scrutiny of police conduct continues to increase, so too does the need for transparency and accountability. The Commission's role in making recommendations for change, as the primary mechanism for RCMP accountability across the country, remains integral to supporting public confidence in the RCMP.

The Commission is distinct and independent from the RCMP and has jurisdiction over public complaints regarding all members of the RCMP.

To view full terms of reference for the investigation, visit the Commission's website

For more information, please contact:

Jamie Robertson, Director of Communications
613-952-3738
jamie.robertson@cpc-cpp.gc.ca