Thank you very much. It's an important question.
Pam, I want to be really clear. We're not talking about body cameras as a panacea and a response to the myriad of issues and concerns that have been identified. One of the concerns that we heard very clearly is the need for accountability. There is a very strongly held belief, and I believe there is evidence for it, that the best evidence of a transaction or an interaction between the police and any citizen is video evidence. We've seen the value of that video evidence. It has revealed cases that otherwise would never have come to light. Ensuring that there is an accurate record of that interaction is an important element of accountability.
However, the camera in and of itself doesn't do anything unless we also have regimes of fulsome accountability that are transparent, fair and timely. In earlier discussions, we talked about the importance of putting those systems in place. We're absolutely committed to putting in a far more robust system of oversight and accountability, and making sure there is the best evidence of those transactions is also an element of that.
There is also some suggestion I believe that when there is an accurate record of the interaction between the police and the public, people tend to behave a little better—ideally. I think that's hopeful.
We saw some of those terrible tragedies in the United States. For example, the George Floyd incident likely would not have come to the public's attention without the video evidence that was available. That, quite frankly, has changed the world and changed our society. Video evidence is compelling, and I believe it is the basis for very strong reform.
I want to assure you that we've been working with Iqaluit, with the territories and the provinces. I believe there are a number of measures that we can take.
I also want to assure you that although body cameras are one element of improving accountability, they do not take the place of all of the other important work—of improving training, hiring, and the relationship building and the work we must do in communities to connect with people. That involves a number of different policing models, and, as I mentioned, a new legislative framework for dealing with indigenous policing. There's a great deal of work to do.
Although it's one element, I think there's value in the body-cam rollout. We're seeing that in police jurisdictions right across Canada, and it will include the RCMP. However, it's not all that we need to do. Certainly, it's not in any way an alternative, but in addition to the things that need to happen.