Evidence of meeting #12 for Public Safety and National Security in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was systemic.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Nishan Duraiappah  Chief, Peel Regional Police
Bryan Larkin  Chief of Police, Waterloo Regional Police Service and member of the Drug Advisory Committee, Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police
Julian Falconer  As an Individual
Lorraine Whitman  President, Native Women's Association of Canada

2:05 p.m.

As an Individual

Julian Falconer

It's important that indigenous communities choose for themselves. Not everyone wants the Queen's act, and that's fair enough. There may be cultural identity protections in the legislation—I can tell you there are—but they need to be able to opt in.

I'm saying to create that option across the country. It's being done in child welfare. Bill C-92 is passed federally, even though there is provincial legislation. I'm just trying to say that this is an area where the federal government could step in and create federal standards legislatively.

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal John McKay

Thank you, Mr. Sikand.

We'll have one minute for Madame Michaud, and then one minute for Mr. Harris.

2:05 p.m.

Bloc

Kristina Michaud Bloc Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC

Thank you for the extra minute, Mr. Chair.

My question is for Ms. Whitman.

In recent meetings, we have talked a lot about a national structural framework for training police officers. In addition, we have often discussed community involvement in training.

What changes need to be made to training so that they include such things as cultural realities, the various racialized communities and the prevention of violence against women?

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal John McKay

Answer very briefly, please.

2:05 p.m.

President, Native Women's Association of Canada

Lorraine Whitman

At our national office at NWAC, we do have the means to assist any of the officers and the police in training, as well as with our cultural component, because that's a very important component. We represent the Métis, the first nations and the Inuit. We are able to call in elders. The elders are so...component to this whole stream of change, because they know the history. We have the younger ones. They have to blend with both.

I really do feel that if you're able to do change, then do it in a positive way. Make sure the people who need to be there are at the table, and make use of the women in the community and the elders so that we're all-inclusive and there's not one who's left out.

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal John McKay

Thank you, Ms. Michaud.

Mr. Harris, you have one minute, please.

2:05 p.m.

NDP

Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL

Thank you, Mr. Falconer, for addressing my questions in other answers.

I have another one. What do you think of the possibility...and how could we create enforceable standards on the use of force—mandating de-escalation, outlawing racial profiling and things of that nature—and ensure that these are enforceable across the country, making it the standard that every police force has to follow to avoid the kinds of situations we're seeing now?

2:05 p.m.

As an Individual

Julian Falconer

First and foremost, Mr. Harris, you're entitled to legislate federally in terms of, obviously, the RCMP, so I would start with the RCMP. The reality is that right now there are mandatory training requirements for use of force and for training around firearms, tasers, etc. You could create the same level of robust, rigorous requirements for training around de-escalation and for highlighting and showcasing those with those skills. Every rank-and-file officer is not going to be able to do this; I think that's totally unrealistic. What you need to do is showcase and feature why being an expert in de-escalation advances you in a police service and puts you in a place, potentially working with mental health professionals or others, that allows you to save lives.

My real point is that you can create training standards for the RCMP that can become the showcase for other police services. That's where to start. I do think, and I insist, that your complaints commissioner doesn't have enough power. She's a watchdog. You need someone who runs the service, not government.

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal John McKay

We will have to leave it there, Mr. Harris. I apologize.

I apologize for the tyranny of time. It is what it is, but all of us operate with that.

[Technical difficulty—Editor your insights and your candour. We will certainly incorporate much of what you've had to say into our report.

With that, colleagues, I'm adjourning the meeting. I look forward to doing this again this time next week.

2:10 p.m.

As an Individual

Julian Falconer

Mr. Chair, may I ask that the two documents we provided be part of the proceedings?

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal John McKay

By all means.

2:10 p.m.

As an Individual

Julian Falconer

Thank you to the committee.

2:10 p.m.

President, Native Women's Association of Canada

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal John McKay

Thank you again.

Take care, folks.