Madam Chair, thank you for that.
Certainly I've listened a lot today, and certainly I've learned a lot today. With respect to the RCMP and our ability to change and modify our behaviour and react within those areas or that circle of influence we have control over, I think what we've heard today is that this isn't just a policing issue. As a matter of fact, when Shelagh spoke, she mentioned two major problems. One was certainly addressed to the police. But the other one was socio-economic--it's the conditions these poor victims are living in. So there's a greater thing that certainly we have no influence over.
Within the RCMP, within what we can do, our policy is ever evolving and ever changing. When we see that something isn't working, that is communicated.
I am the officer in charge of the E Division major crime section. I have 400 personnel who report directly to me. So I have control over that sphere that spans this province. My people, on a fairly routine basis, approach me and speak to maybe certain areas of protocol or to policies we've enacted that we maybe need to amend, and we do that. Within division policy and within our national policies, we continue to evolve. So when we see that there are areas where we can improve, we do. Certainly in the areas of violence in relationships, I believe that we have a very good policy.
From what you mentioned earlier, I think you were under the impression that in every situation involving violence in a relationship, the victim is removed from the house. That is not our policy. Certainly, when we have evidence to support that an assault has taken place, the perpetrator is removed from the house, leaving the victim safe there.
In those instances when we're called and there's no overt offence that has been committed but we believe that to leave the two people in the residence together could possibly create further problems or to someone being victimized, the option is there for someone to leave the house voluntarily. Then there are shelters available.
On forcible removal in the situation when there's no offence...we don't forcibly take anyone out. I think what you're hearing about as well is a social services system that may return to the residence when the victim is back with the offender, placing the children in jeopardy. It's at that point, then, unfortunately, that people are forcibly removed.
With respect to accountability, that's one of our core values. Certainly, I hold my people accountable, and we do strive.... The 400 people who report to me are people who come to work on a daily basis wanting to do the best they can for the citizens of this province and this country. On a daily basis they make me proud. Do we make mistakes? Absolutely. Do we learn from those mistakes? I hope we do. It's through those mistakes that we actually alter our policies and procedures and hopefully perform and provide a level of support and service to the people of this country to the best of our ability.