Public Complaints and Review Commission Act

An Act establishing the Public Complaints and Review Commission and amending certain Acts and statutory instruments

Sponsor

Marco Mendicino  Liberal

Status

This bill has received Royal Assent and is, or will soon 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, among other things,
(a) establishes, as a replacement of the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, an independent body, called the Public Complaints and Review Commission, to
(i) review and investigate complaints concerning the conduct and level of service of Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canada Border Services Agency personnel, and
(ii) conduct reviews of specified activities of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canada Border Services Agency;
(b) authorizes the Chairperson of the Public Complaints and Review Commission to recommend the initiation of disciplinary processes or the imposition of disciplinary measures in relation to individuals who have been the subject of complaints;
(c) amends the Canada Border Services Agency Act to provide for the investigation of serious incidents involving officers and employees of the Canada Border Services Agency;
(d) amends the English version of federal statutes and orders, regulations and other instruments to replace references to the “Force” with references to “RCMP”; and
(e) makes consequential amendments to other Acts.

Similar bills

C-3 (43rd 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
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-20s:

C-20 (2021) An Act to amend the Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador Additional Fiscal Equalization Offset Payments Act
C-20 (2020) Law An Act respecting further COVID-19 measures
C-20 (2016) Law Appropriation Act No. 3, 2016-17
C-20 (2014) Law Canada-Honduras Economic Growth and Prosperity Act

Votes

June 11, 2024 Passed 3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-20, An Act establishing the Public Complaints and Review Commission and amending certain Acts and statutory instruments
June 10, 2024 Passed Concurrence at report stage of Bill C-20, An Act establishing the Public Complaints and Review Commission and amending certain Acts and statutory instruments
June 10, 2024 Failed Bill C-20, An Act establishing the Public Complaints and Review Commission and amending certain Acts and statutory instruments (report stage amendment)
June 4, 2024 Passed Time allocation for Bill C-20, An Act establishing the Public Complaints and Review Commission and amending certain Acts and statutory instruments

Debate Summary

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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-20 aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and public trust in Canadian law enforcement and border security. It establishes the Public Complaints and Review Commission (PCRC) as an independent civilian oversight body for both the RCMP and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The bill outlines processes for submitting and reviewing complaints, sets timelines for responses, and mandates reporting requirements to ensure greater scrutiny and responsiveness from these agencies.

Liberal

  • Supports creating the PCRC: The Liberal party supports Bill C-20, which would establish the Public Complaints and Review Commission (PCRC) as an independent civilian review body for both the RCMP and the Canada Border Services Agency. This legislation aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and public trust in these law enforcement institutions, addressing a long-standing gap in oversight.
  • Restoring public trust: The Liberal party recognizes a decline in public trust in Canadian law enforcement agencies due to high-profile incidents of misconduct and discussions around systemic racism. Bill C-20 is viewed as a means to restore public confidence by ensuring that law enforcement agencies demonstrate their commitment to justice and fairness.
  • Enhanced accountability measures: The PCRC would have enhanced accountability measures, including codified timelines for the RCMP commissioner and the CBSA president to respond to the PCRC's interim reports, reviews, and recommendations. It also includes a public education mandate, informing the public about their rights and available redress mechanisms.
  • Addressing systemic issues: Bill C-20 would allow the PCRC to conduct specified activity reviews (SARs), also known as systemic investigations, to identify systemic issues within the RCMP and the CBSA. These investigations would enable the PCRC to make recommendations on policies, procedures, or guidelines to address these issues, including those related to vulnerable populations.

Conservative

  • Supports increased oversight: Conservatives agree that the proposed bill is important for maintaining public trust in the RCMP and the CBSA and want to see an independent commission that is resourced and staffed to ensure accountability. They support the bill's goal of establishing an independent review body to foster public trust in law enforcement and border services.
  • Focus on resourcing and support: Conservatives are concerned about the strain on law enforcement agencies due to recruitment and retention issues and question the government's efforts to support and value the personnel involved. They believe mistakes happen because frontline officers are under tremendous pressure due to a crime wave and want to avoid pulling RCMP officers off the front lines to deal with bureaucratic paperwork and complaints.
  • Disappointment in delays: Conservatives express disappointment that the NDP-Liberal government dithered on bringing the legislation forward for third reading debate. Members criticized the government for taking too long to address this issue, as the legislation had been repeatedly delayed and had died on the Order Paper in previous Parliaments.
  • Need for timely resolution: Conservatives emphasize the need for complaints to be dealt with in a timely manner, highlighting cases where complainants faced long delays or even died before their complaints were addressed. The lack of a mandated review period for the commission to resolve complaints is a glaring omission in the bill and want explicit timelines to address concerns from the Canadian Bar Association.

NDP

  • Supports bill C-20: The NDP supports Bill C-20, emphasizing the need for an act establishing the public complaints and review commission. They believe this will improve the existing situation and address shortcomings within the RCMP and CBSA.
  • Improvements via amendments: The NDP improved the legislation through a number of amendments, often with the support of all parties, addressing concerns about union representation, transparency, accountability, and reconciliation with indigenous peoples, as well as expanding investigative powers and protecting complainants.
  • Addressing systemic racism: NDP members highlighted the troubled relationship between indigenous peoples and the RCMP, emphasizing the need for accountability and oversight to address systemic racism within policing, which has resulted in violence, neglect, and injustice towards indigenous communities.
  • Independent oversight is key: The NDP believes replacing the existing Civilian Review and Complaints Commission with a new, stand-alone, and independent commission is crucial for ensuring accountability. This change is seen as vital for addressing the historical and ongoing issues of negligence and abuse by the RCMP, particularly towards indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

Bloc

  • Supports the bill: The Bloc supports Bill C-20 because it addresses issues with the handling of complaints against customs personnel. The party sees the bill as a positive step towards ensuring that the government stays within its jurisdiction and provides a mechanism for independent review of complaints against the CBSA.
  • Third-party complaints added: The Bloc Québécois successfully introduced amendments allowing third parties, such as organizations like the Canadian Council for Refugees, to file complaints on behalf of individuals who may be unable or unwilling to do so themselves. This addition is expected to help those who fear reprisal or face language barriers.
  • Commission diversity is important: The Bloc secured an amendment to ensure that the members of the Public Complaints and Review Commission reflect the diversity of society. The party also addressed concerns about underfunding potentially hindering the commission's work by removing a subsection that could have been used as a loophole to avoid reviews.
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Public Complaints and Review Commission ActGovernment Orders

June 10th, 2024 / 4:45 p.m.

Liberal

Filomena Tassi Liberal Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON

moved that the bill, as amended, be concurred in.

Public Complaints and Review Commission ActGovernment Orders

June 10th, 2024 / 4:45 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

If a member participating in person wishes that the motion be carried or carried on division, or if a member of a recognized party participating in person wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

Public Complaints and Review Commission ActGovernment Orders

June 10th, 2024 / 4:45 p.m.

Liberal

Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON

Mr. Speaker, I believe that if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent to apply the result from the previous vote to this vote, with Liberal members voting yea.

Public Complaints and Review Commission ActGovernment Orders

June 10th, 2024 / 4:45 p.m.

Conservative

Kerry-Lynne Findlay Conservative South Surrey—White Rock, BC

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives agree to apply the vote, with Conservatives voting yea.

Public Complaints and Review Commission ActGovernment Orders

June 10th, 2024 / 4:45 p.m.

Bloc

Marie-Hélène Gaudreau Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois agrees to apply the vote. We will be voting in favour and adding the votes of the members for Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques and Shefford.

Public Complaints and Review Commission ActGovernment Orders

June 10th, 2024 / 4:45 p.m.

NDP

Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB

Mr. Speaker, the NDP agrees to apply the vote, and we will be voting yes.

Public Complaints and Review Commission ActGovernment Orders

June 10th, 2024 / 4:45 p.m.

Green

Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

Mr. Speaker, the Greens agree to apply the vote and will be voting in favour as well.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #806

Public Complaints and Review Commission ActGovernment Orders

June 10th, 2024 / 4:45 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

I declare the motion carried.

When shall the bill be read a third time? Later today?

Public Complaints and Review Commission ActGovernment Orders

June 10th, 2024 / 4:45 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Public Complaints and Review Commission ActGovernment Orders

June 10th, 2024 / 4:45 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

It is my duty pursuant to Standing Order 38 to inform the House that the questions to be raised tonight at the time of adjournment are as follows: the hon. member for Nunavut, Housing; the hon. member for Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, The Economy; the hon. member for York—Simcoe, Carbon Pricing.