Bill C-20, also known as the Public Complaints and Review Commission Act, creates a new independent body called the Public Complaints and Review Commission. This commission will replace the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The new commission will handle complaints about the conduct and level of service provided by both the RCMP and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). It will also review specific activities of these agencies.
The new commission has the power to investigate complaints made by the public, as well as complaints initiated by the Chairperson of the commission. The Chairperson can recommend that the RCMP or CBSA start disciplinary actions against employees who are the subject of complaints. The bill also makes changes to the Canada Border Services Agency Act to allow for investigations of serious incidents involving CBSA officers and employees.
Bill C-20 includes measures to ensure transparency and accountability. The commission must create service standards for handling complaints and publish these standards on its website. The commission is also required to submit annual reports to Parliament on its activities, including information about the number and nature of complaints received, as well as data about complainants. There are also measures in place to protect confidential information.
This bill also addresses integrated cross-border law enforcement operations. It sets out the Commission's role in reviewing these operations and handling complaints related to them. It ensures that the same standards of conduct and accountability apply to these operations.
Crime
This bill focuses on improving the handling of complaints against the RCMP and CBSA. It creates a new commission to review the conduct of RCMP and CBSA employees, investigate complaints, and recommend disciplinary actions. The goal is to make these agencies more accountable to the public.