Bill C-20

Public Complaints and Review Commission Act

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

Sponsor

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

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 seeks to establish the Public Complaints and Review Commission (PCRC) to handle civilian complaints against the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and, for the first time, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The commission will provide independent review and recommendations, aiming to increase accountability, transparency, and public confidence in these agencies, with a focus on addressing systemic issues, including racism. The bill also includes measures to improve complaint processing timelines and require annual reports from the RCMP and CBSA on the implementation of the PCRC's recommendations.

Liberal

Supports bill C-20: The Liberal Party supports Bill C-20, which aims to create a public complaints and review commission that would enhance public confidence in the bureaucratic system by providing an independent avenue for addressing grievances related to the RCMP and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
Increased accountability and transparency: The bill provides accountability and transparency by establishing a commission to investigate complaints, review service levels, and conduct employee investigations within the CBSA, ensuring that individuals have a means to express concerns about their treatment at borders or airports.
Addresses systemic racism: Bill C-20 commits to collecting and publishing disaggregated race-based and demographic data, helping to assess and address systemic racism within law enforcement and ensuring consistent, fair, and equitable treatment for all Canadians.

Conservative

Supports Bill C-20: The Conservative Party supports Bill C-20, viewing its intent to increase public confidence in the justice system and hold the RCMP and CBSA accountable as a responsible one. Amendments made at committee improved the bill.
Need for independence: The Conservative party believes that a truly independent commission is essential for fairness, impartiality, and building public trust. The PCRC needs the ability to conduct its own investigations using its own investigators, which is not reflected in Bill C-20.
Implementation concerns: There are concerns regarding the implementation of Bill C-20, specifically the need for timely setup, specific training for the Cornwall-Akwesasne area, and a simplified complaint process accessible to all citizens regardless of age or access to technology.
Liberal delay criticised: The Conservative members criticized the Liberal government for the delay in implementing this legislation, accusing them of disingenuousness, incompetence, and misplaced priorities.

NDP

Supports Bill C-20: The NDP supports Bill C-20, emphasizing the importance of establishing a review and complaints commission for the CBSA and RCMP and that the House send it to the other place.
NDP improvements to the bill: The NDP worked to improve the bill by passing approximately ten amendments, including ensuring union representation, pushing for greater transparency and accountability, contributing to reconciliation with indigenous peoples, giving complainants more time to bring forward complaints, and banning the use of non-disclosure agreements.
Emphasis on transparency: The NDP pushed for greater transparency and accountability in the bill, seeking to make more information available to the public and ensuring that reports are distributed.

Bloc

Supports the bill with improvements: The Bloc supports Bill C-20, acknowledging improvements made through amendments proposed by various parties. They emphasize the importance of establishing an independent public complaints commission for the CBSA, highlighting that it is long overdue.
Focus on transparency: The Bloc emphasized the importance of transparency in the bill, including amendments to ensure that members of the commission reflect the diversity of society and are bilingual. They also highlighted amendments related to third-party complaints, access to information, and the removal of non-disclosure agreements.
Concerns about resources: The Bloc voiced concerns about the resources allocated to the new commission, particularly given the existing challenges faced by the CRCC. They stressed the importance of providing the commission with adequate resources to ensure timely processing of complaints and to avoid delays that could further complicate the process for victims.
Accountability for RCMP, CBSA: The Bloc acknowledged the commission's lack of direct disciplinary power over the CBSA and RCMP, but emphasized that the requirement for these organizations to report to the minister and justify their responses to the commission's recommendations will ensure accountability. They believe this will create a degree of oversight, even without direct enforcement power.

Green

Supports bill C-20: The Green Party supports Bill C-20, emphasizing it is long overdue and expressing pleasure in seeing it move towards the Senate. They believe it will improve the public complaints process, especially for the Canada Border Services Agency.
Concerns about CBSA and RCMP: The Green Party has remaining concerns about the RCMP and CBSA, particularly regarding systemic racism within CBSA and the need for more reforms based on the Mass Casualty Commission's recommendations for the RCMP. They stress the importance of ensuring these agencies respect the Charter rights of all individuals, including racialized and indigenous people.
More work is needed: The Green Party believes more work is necessary to eliminate systemic racism within CBSA and the RCMP and to ensure the complaints commission effectively addresses these issues. They emphasize the importance of continued parliamentary oversight to guarantee federal agencies respect every individual's rights, regardless of prejudices.

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The House resumed from June 10 consideration of the motion that Bill C‑20, an act establishing the public complaints and review commission and amending certain acts and statutory instruments, be read the third time and passed.

Public Complaints and Review Commission ActGovernment Orders

June 11th, 2024 / 3:45 p.m.