Question Period Note: RCMP asks court for permission to dispose of Pickton evidence

The RCMP has asked the court for permission to dispose of 14,000 pieces of evidence collected during its probe into former Port Coquitlam pig farmer Robert (Willie) Pickton.

• The RCMP acknowledges the distress and suffering caused by the actions of Robert Pickton. The RCMP remains committed to improving the relationship with Indigenous communities, supporting survivors and families, and ensuring that investigations are robust and professional and result in justice for the victims and their families.

• Robert Pickton was convicted in 2007 as one of the most notorious serial killers in Canadian history. The investigation into his crimes was extensive and involved collecting thousands of pieces of evidence from his farm, which became the largest crime scene in the country's serial killer investigations.

• Police have exhausted all investigative leads and are now legally obligated to return any evidence to the rightful owners.

• The objects include women’s clothing, items accumulated by Pickton on his farm and trailer, and some furniture, but do not include human remains.

• A small portion of the items belonged to missing or murdered women, and they will be returned to the families.

• The majority of the 14,000 items, for which police don’t have a known owner, technically belong to Pickton. The RCMP is working with a First Nation to plan a culturally appropriate ceremony to dispose of them.

Robert Pickton, a former pig farmer, was convicted in 2007 as one of the most notorious serial killers in Canadian history. The investigation into his crimes was extensive and involved collecting thousands of pieces of evidence from his farm, which became the largest crime scene in the country's serial killer investigations.

On December 8, 2023 the Vancouver Sun published an article that details the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has sought court permission to dispose of 14,000 pieces of evidence obtained during the Pickton investigation. The move has sparked opposition from 40 groups and individuals, who argue that the items are crucial and should be preserved, especially considering that more than two dozen unsolved missing women cases are linked by DNA to Pickton's farm.

Families of the victims express concerns in the article, emphasizing that the disposal of evidence could diminish hope for justice and convey a message that their loved ones are less important than the space required to store the evidence. The opposition involves various organizations and individuals, including the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, B.C. Assembly of First Nations, and the B.C. Civil Liberties Association.

According to the article, the RCMP contends that they have exhausted all investigative leads and are legally obligated to return any evidence to rightful owners, including some items belonging to missing or murdered women. The article mentions that a small portion of the items has already been identified as belonging to specific individuals and will be returned to their families.

The legal dispute raises questions about the sensitivity and ethical considerations surrounding the disposal of evidence in high-profile criminal cases, particularly when there are unresolved aspects and lingering questions about potential accomplices. The families, as well as some legal representatives, are advocating for the preservation of evidence, while the RCMP asserts that the items have no investigative value and are legally bound for return or disposal.

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