Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized the independence of the RCMP in a recent interview, describing the leadership of the national police force as “despicable” and alleging that they protected the Liberal government and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Poilievre stated that if the RCMP had not shielded Trudeau, criminal charges would have been brought against him. The Opposition leader made these remarks in a YouTube interview on Wednesday with the Northern Perspective channel, citing instances such as Trudeau’s acceptance of a free vacation in the Aga Khan scandal of 2016 and the SNC-Lavalin affair where he suggested Trudeau may have broken the law.
In response to Poilievre’s comments, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme defended his team, denying any claims of political interference. Former RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki had examined the possibility of charging Trudeau with fraud related to the Aga Khan vacation but ultimately decided against pursuing a criminal investigation due to legal nuances. The Criminal Code prohibits government officials from accepting gifts without proper consent, which led to speculation that Trudeau may have granted himself permission for the vacation, as noted by Conservatives.
The RCMP stated that there was insufficient evidence to lay charges in the SNC-Lavalin affair, even though the Ethics Commissioner found Trudeau in violation of the Conflict of Interest Act for attempting to influence then-Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould. The RCMP’s sensitive investigations unit conducted a thorough assessment of the matter, affirming their decision not to pursue criminal charges.
Responding to Poilievre’s accusations, Commissioner Duheme emphasized that there was no interference and invited Poilievre to meet with the RCMP’s leadership. While addressing a news conference in Toronto, Prime Minister Mark Carney reiterated a promise to recruit over 1,000 new RCMP personnel. The National Police Federation president, Brian Sauvé, praised the RCMP’s dedication and professionalism, refuting claims of political manipulation within the organization.
In a statement, Poilievre’s office reiterated the importance of RCMP officers in safeguarding communities and upholding the law. Operational independence is crucial for the RCMP to conduct unbiased investigations and prevent political influence, despite being accountable to the government.