Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to speak against the motion proposed by my colleague across the House for many reasons, one of which is because this motion is purely and simply politically motivated and partisan in nature. It is not in the public interest and it has created a lot of confusion throughout the country.
All my colleagues had to do was look to the solicitor general's report on the public complaints commission which was tabled some time ago in the House. I think if we were to have a close examination of this report we would see that it speaks eloquently to the important civilian oversight role the commission plays in our society as a whole. This report discussed how important it is to stay true to the form and function of its mandate as parliament intended.
The introductory message from the chair is quite to the point in this regard. Madame Heafey wrote:
Our role at the RCMP public complaints commission is to help to maintain the harmonious relationship that must exist between the public and the RCMP. The commission's primary mandate is to ensure that the public complaints process is conducted with impartiality and fairness both to members of the public and members of the RCMP.
The chair goes on to say that the process can be too often litigious, with the net effect being to restrict the benefits that flow from the resolution of disputes, disagreements and misunderstandings.
In her annual report the chair vows to focus more sharply on effective results:
The commission must always seek the least formal and most efficient options to resolve complaints, without compromising the values of impartiality, fairness and transparency.
I forgot to mention that I will be splitting my time with one of my colleagues.
It is this issue of the relative informality and less legalistic approach to dealing with and resolving complaints that is so important to the average Canadian. The commission can make findings and recommendations based on a balance of probabilities, not the criminal law standard of beyond a reasonable doubt. It is this kind of pragmatic and practical approach that Canadians find reasonable. The commission chair writes:
Often, the commission, as a neutral third party, is able to pinpoint the cause of disharmony between the public and the police, with the result that both parties can acknowledge and accommodate their differences.
The chair of the public complaints commission goes on to say that the commission is not a court of law. This is important for my colleagues to hear:
Even in more challenging disputes, we must not lose sight of the fact that the commission's public hearings are, essentially, inquiries of public interest; the commission should not be fettered by the kind of precise rules that govern criminal and civil trials. Timeliness and efficiency contribute to the credibility of our response.
Here in a nutshell is what is so important about the process, one which would be adversely affected by injecting into it extra counsel that is publicly funded.
The chair promises a revitalization that will in the year ahead strengthen the commission's ability to make a positive and constructive contribution to Canadian society.
I would like to remind my colleagues on the opposite side that Canada is a very peaceful nation which places a premium on the rule of law. Our police always respect this rule of law and the value of human rights. The public has a high regard for the police. One only has to compare public sentiment toward the police in this country with that of other democratic countries with roughly equivalent systems of government to see that we live in one of the finest democracies in the world. We have the finest police forces in the world at all levels, municipal, provincial as well as federal.
As the commission pointed out in its annual report, complaints about the RCMP normally arise from the stresses of policing. Usually these issues are more about degrees of conduct than about true violations of Canadian standards and values. This may or may not be the case with the issue at hand, but it is clear that too many of my colleagues are rushing to judgment. Society's expectations of police are high and nowhere are they higher than with the RCMP.
The RCMP, our federal police, also act as the provincial police in eight of the ten provinces as well as the territories. The RCMP has given Canadians exemplary police services over the years. They are determined to maintain that high standard. That is why the RCMP, as does the government, want this hearing to take place, to be expedited and to come to its finding as soon as possible.
I think that as Canadians watch the hearings in Vancouver take place, they see a vital Canadian institution in full flower. They see a comprehensive public hearing being conducted with rigour and fairness by a very able panel assisted by very able staff.
The public sees a commission counsel who leads the witnesses through their testimony, introduces documentary evidence, protects the witnesses and explores all facets of the issue. The public is getting the most exhaustive examination of the issue possible.
Members should also be mindful that the commission initiated this hearing. It was not at the government's request; the government did not ask for this hearing. The commission decided independently to undertake it on its own. Its finding will be independent and unfettered by government influence. The government cannot edit the report; the commission presents it as its findings.
In short, let the commission do its work using the process put in place by parliament. Let us not second guess its outcome, its ability, nor its ambit. Let it follow the evidence and testimony wherever it may lead, for the benefit of all Canadians, with the ultimate aim of reconciliation.
I do not want to belabour the issue but my colleagues on the opposite side are trying to milk this issue for all its worth. It is plain partisan politics, pure and simple. I find it shameful for my colleagues in the New Democratic Party to stretch the issue to that extent without full knowledge of the mandate and responsibilities of the commission in its independent role.