Bill C-3 (Historical)

An Act to amend the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act and the Canada Border Services Agency Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts

This bill is from the 43rd Parliament, 1st session, which ended in September 2020.

Sponsor

Status

Second reading (House), as of Feb. 21, 2020
(This bill did not become law.)

Summary

This is from the published bill. The Library of Parliament has also written a full legislative summary of the bill.

This enactment amends the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act to, among other things, rename the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as the Public Complaints and Review Commission. It also amends the Canada Border Services Agency Act to, among other things, grant to that Commission powers, duties and functions in relation to the Canada Border Services Agency, including the power to conduct a review of the activities of that Agency and to investigate complaints concerning the conduct of any of that Agency’s officers or employees. It also makes consequential amendments to other Acts.

Similar bills

C-20 (44th Parliament, 1st session) Law Public Complaints and Review Commission Act

C-98 (42nd Parliament, 1st session) An Act to amend the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act and the Canada Border Services Agency Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-3s:

C-3 (2025) Law An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2025)

C-3 (2021) Law An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Canada Labour Code

C-3 (2020) Law An Act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code

C-3 (2015) Law Appropriation Act No. 4, 2015-16

Debate Summary

This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Bill C-3 amends the RCMP Act and the CBSA Act to create a Public Complaints and Review Commission (PCRC) for both agencies, providing independent oversight of CBSA activities.

Liberal

Establishes independent oversight for CBSA: Bill C-3 establishes an independent review and complaints mechanism for the Canada Border Services Agency, addressing a significant accountability and transparency gap among Canada's public safety agencies.
Expands existing review body: The bill expands the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP, renaming it the Public Complaints and Review Commission (PCRC), to handle complaints and conduct reviews for both the CBSA and RCMP.
Enhances public trust and accountability: The government recognizes that robust accountability is essential for public trust. This bill ensures independent review of CBSA conduct and service, strengthening transparency and public confidence in the agency.

Conservative

Supports expanded civilian oversight: The Conservative party supports the principle of expanding civilian oversight to the RCMP and CBSA, recognizing the need for accountability, transparency, and public trust in federal law enforcement.
Criticizes delays and poor consultation: Conservatives criticize the Liberal government for its significant delay in reintroducing the bill from the previous Parliament and for its failure to adequately consult with front-line RCMP and CBSA officers and their unions.
Seeks clarity on accountability: The party raises concerns about the bill's silence on how officers will be held accountable, the timeliness of investigations, the need for clear service standards, and potential for political interference.
Highlights broader public safety concerns: Conservatives argue the bill is not the most urgent priority, citing government failures in addressing rural crime, illegal border crossings, the opioid crisis, and the economic impact of rail blockades.

NDP

Supports the bill in principle: The NDP supports Bill C-3 in principle, recognizing it as a long-overdue step to establish independent civilian oversight for the Canada Border Services Agency.
Expresses concerns about scope and effectiveness: The party questions whether the bill will ensure truly independent investigations, avoid backlogs, adequately address solicitor-client privilege, or include examinations of detention, noting past deaths in custody.
Calls for amendments and robust oversight: The NDP will support the bill at second reading but expects the minister to consider amendments in committee to enhance the legislation and ensure robust, accessible, and independent oversight, particularly for vulnerable individuals.

Bloc

Supports bill C-3: The Bloc Québécois strongly supports Bill C-3, emphasizing the urgent need for its swift passage to address the current untenable situation at the Canada Border Services Agency and prevent it from dying on the Order Paper.
Current oversight is inadequate: The party highlights the critical absence of independent oversight for the Canada Border Services Agency, arguing that the CBSA cannot impartially investigate complaints against its own services and officers, leading to a lack of accountability.
Establish an independent commissioner: The Bloc advocates for the establishment of an independent commissioner to handle complaints against the CBSA, ensuring serious, impartial, fair, and independent processing of allegations, which would promote best practices and provide clear guidance.
Addresses serious misconduct and privacy: Members detail numerous serious complaints including allegations of harassment, racist remarks, illegal electronic device searches, and physical assault, underscoring significant privacy and human rights concerns that require a proper complaint system.

Green

Supports the bill for independent oversight: The Green Party supports Bill C-3, recognizing it as a long-overdue step to establish an independent complaints and review commission for the Canada Border Services Agency.
Highlights CBSA's unchecked powers: Members emphasize that CBSA officers wield extensive powers, including arrest, detention, and deportation, yet operate without adequate independent review, leading to numerous complaints and tragic incidents.
Proposes crucial amendments to strengthen oversight: The party advocates for amendments to include complaints regarding statutory authorities and national security, ensure the commission's full independence, and implement pre-deportation notification.

Was this summary helpful and accurate?

Royal Canadian Mounted Police ActGovernment Orders

February 21st, 2020 / 2 p.m.

Conservative

Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK

Mr. Speaker, there are so many examples.

There are examples of forestry workers who are going to be laid off because the sawmills have no more room to store that lumber.

Last week I was at Rio Tinto in Chicoutimi with the member for Chicoutimi—Le Fjord. They were talking about how they are trying to bring in trucks to keep that mill going. An aluminum mill does not just get turned on and off. It is not just a switch in the wall. It is a big deal.

The Liberals do not understand how big a deal this is to Canadians. By doing what we are doing today, if that makes Liberals frustrated, maybe they will get a sense of how big a deal it is. Do Liberals not understand that we are fighting for Canadians here this afternoon? That is what we are doing. If they do not understand that, then they really do not understand what their constituents' needs and wants are.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police ActGovernment Orders

February 21st, 2020 / 2 p.m.

Conservative

John Barlow Conservative Foothills, AB

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to speak to this important legislation. It is also important that we highlight some of the issues that go along with this piece of legislation.

It is about empowering the RCMP and empowering the CBSA, which has been kind of an interesting topic over the last several weeks as we talk about empowering the RCMP.

I am glad to see that the Liberals are becoming frustrated with what is going on in the House today. It is very difficult when people are trying to do their business and just a couple of people can throw up blockades to prevent people from trying to be successful and getting work done. Whether it is the farmers, people in the lumber business, mill operators, manufacturers, business owners and the entire economy, that is what Canadian industry has been trying to navigate over the last two weeks.

Fortunately, in this House we will eventually get that work done. However, what is going on in the Canadian economy right now that the Liberals need to understand is these blockades have brought Canada's economy to its knees. There are close to 100 ships off the port of Vancouver and the port of Prince Rupert, and a backlog of 20,000 railcars. That is what is at stake. We cannot allow this to go on one more week.

These are the issues that should be discussed in this House, legislation that would actually make a difference to the Canadian economy. Therefore, in saying that, I move:

That the House do now adjourn.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police ActGovernment Orders

February 21st, 2020 / 2 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Bruce Stanton

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

Royal Canadian Mounted Police ActGovernment Orders

February 21st, 2020 / 2 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

No.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police ActGovernment Orders

February 21st, 2020 / 2 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Bruce Stanton

All those in favour of the motion will please say yea.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police ActGovernment Orders

February 21st, 2020 / 2 p.m.

Some hon. members

Yea.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police ActGovernment Orders

February 21st, 2020 / 2 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Bruce Stanton

All those opposed will please say nay.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police ActGovernment Orders

February 21st, 2020 / 2 p.m.

Some hon. members

Nay.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police ActGovernment Orders

February 21st, 2020 / 2 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Bruce Stanton

In my opinion the nays have it.

And five or more members having risen:

Call in the members.

And the bells having rung:

Royal Canadian Mounted Police ActGovernment Orders

February 21st, 2020 / 2:25 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Bruce Stanton

At this time, and in accordance with past precedents as stated at page 579 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, I must interrupt the clock, and the motion that the House do now adjourn has now expired.

It being 2:30 p.m., this House stands adjourned until Monday at 11 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 2:30 p.m.)