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.
The investigation is examining the thoroughness and impartiality of the RCMP's investigation of harassment allegations, whether policies were adhered to, and whether they are adequate to deal with allegations of workplace harassment.
Approximately 70 individual submissions were received by the commission following the announcement of the investigation and a public call for submissions. The CPC also received over 1,000 files from the RCMP related to harassment issues between February 2005 and November 2007. The commission has had three experienced investigators reviewing all of these files.
We anticipate completing our report near the end of the calendar year.
Let me just put it on the record that the RCMP has cooperated absolutely fully with the commission in providing whatever information the commission has requested.
The new provisions in Bill C-42 would ensure that the commission is able to conduct its investigation even if this level of cooperation is not present.
I hope that is helpful.