The federal Liberals are urging Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to issue an apology for questioning the autonomy and honesty of the RCMP. Poilievre alleged that the police force was concealing information to shield the Liberal government. During an interview with the YouTube channel Northern Perspective, Poilievre claimed that former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau violated the law by accepting a complimentary vacation, referencing the 2016 Aga Khan scandal. He also suggested that Trudeau may have broken the law in the SNC-Lavalin affair.
Poilievre stated, “If the RCMP had been doing its job and not covering up for him, then he would have been criminally charged,” adding, “The leadership of the RCMP is frankly just despicable when it comes to enforcing laws against the Liberal government.” In response, Liberal House Leader Steve MacKinnon called on Poilievre to apologize during question period in the House of Commons.
Despite the calls for an apology, Poilievre refrained from doing so and criticized the Liberals for diverting attention from the escalating cost of living in Canada. Nevertheless, he softened his stance on the current RCMP leadership in a written statement, expressing gratitude for the service of the police officers. He reiterated his claims that the RCMP had been protecting the Liberal government in recent years.
The Opposition leader’s comments have sparked criticism, with comparisons drawn to U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach of targeting critics. Green Party Leader Elizabeth May voiced concerns about such language in Canadian politics. Amid the backlash, the Conservative MPs were instructed to convey positive sentiments about the RCMP and emphasize the party’s commitment to providing additional resources for the force.
The RCMP has reiterated that there was insufficient evidence to press charges in the SNC-Lavalin case, which shook Parliament in 2019. Ethics Commissioner Mike Duheme confirmed Trudeau’s violation of the Conflict of Interest Act in attempting to influence then-Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould regarding SNC-Lavalin. Duheme defended the investigation against allegations of interference, emphasizing the organization’s independence in operational matters.
Efforts are underway to enhance the RCMP’s operational independence following recommendations from the inquiry into the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting incident. The force is developing internal guidelines to safeguard decision-making by incident commanders and frontline members from undue government influence or advice.