Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court of Canada has said police independence underpins the rule of law. That independence is absolutely crucial to maintaining public trust.
All directions to the RCMP are prescribed by three conditions: they cannot require the force to disregard its lawful duties; I cannot infringe upon the independence of the RCMP; and, I cannot ask it to reach beyond federal jurisdiction. That means we do not direct the RCMP in its operational decisions in the day-to-day policing of the communities that it is responsible for.