Public Safety committee  Absolutely it will. I'll just outline what the commission is currently doing and how C-42 would make a difference. The commission is currently conducting a public interest investigation into allegations of workplace harassment in the RCMP. We have all seen many articles in the media about this.

Public Safety committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. First of all, I would like to thank you and the members of the committee for this opportunity to provide the observations of the CPC with respect to Bill C-42. Both Mr. Evans and Ms. McCoy have worked very closely with me in examining Bill C-42 and its effect on the commission.

Public Safety committee  The RCMP can't tell the OPP, for example, what its policy should be, but I think the RCMP should be the leader and set a standard that other police forces would want to adhere to.

Public Safety committee  Very much so.

Public Safety committee  Absolutely, and I can tell you that with the commission and the RCMP, there's constant give and take discussion, diplomatic parlance, full and frank discussion over many issues. Absolutely, it's not up to any oversight agency to dictate to those who are on the front line. As I said in my introductory remarks, our goal is to assist the RCMP in doing its job better, and that's what I think the public wants.

Public Safety committee  It's a very good point. I don't pretend that my views are the be-all and end-all. That's why it's very helpful to get the input, as we have, from the people who have to actually deal with these situations. I am concerned, though, that because the taser has been up until recently considered a non-lethal weapon, there has been a sense that it could be used more readily than it likely should.

Public Safety committee  Absolutely. People have to know what to expect. When I was thinking in terms of time, and I think this applies to police officers and people in any profession or position, when you've seen what happens you have a better sense as to what to expect and you're probably more likely to get it right.

Public Safety committee  No, we have not.

Public Safety committee  Exactly.

Public Safety committee  No.

Public Safety committee  We've worked very actively with the friendship centres, which have over 120 locations across the country, in dealing with aboriginal people. We have followed a policy of reaching out to them. We prepared a video that can be shown, because it's important, as so many people who are marginalized in society just don't understand—

Public Safety committee  Yes.

Public Safety committee  Our advice hasn't been sought on that particular issue, but the commission has no desire to interfere in internal disciplinary matters. That would be inappropriate. The RCMP itself should be the body to conduct disciplinary matters. In my opinion, the RCMP is the body to request that expansion of its power to discipline members.

Public Safety committee  Yes. As a matter of fact—

Public Safety committee  Correct.