Question Period Note: Manitoba RCMP Joint Action Circle

On December 14, 2023, the Winnipeg Free Press published an article titled ‘Our voices are being heard’: Indigenous leadership, RCMP unveil Joint Action Circle.

• Ensuring the safety and well-being of Indigenous communities is a priority for the Government of Canada. It is critically important for Canadians to feel protected by the police, and absolutely paramount that employees, communities, partners and Canadians have trust and confidence in the those who serve and protect.

• In collaboration with Indigenous partners, the Manitoba RCMP has created an Action Plan to address violence and discrimination against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples.

• The first part of the Action Plan is to form a Joint Action Circle, which will be comprised of representatives from a number of Indigenous groups from across Manitoba, as well as from the Manitoba RCMP.

• The Joint Action Circle is being formed to collaborate in prioritizing areas of concern and to develop detailed, specific strategies and actions.

• The Government of Canada recognizes the tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women and will continue to ensure that all cases are taken seriously and with the utmost concern.

On December 14, 2023, the Winnipeg Free Press published an article titled ‘Our voices are being heard’: Indigenous leadership, RCMP unveil Joint Action Circle. The article describes the new committee made up of Manitoba RCMP (D Division) liaisons and Indigenous organizations with the aim to address violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SGLBTQQIA+ people in the province.

The D Division Action Plan comes out of the 231 Calls for Justice, which were synthesized to 10 core components where the Manitoba RCMP can bring about change, namely: Investigations; Prevention; Education; Indigenous Units and Policing; Victim Services; Recruiting & Retention; Advisory Committee & Oversight; Research and Reporting; Communication; and, Reconciliation and Partnerships. To address these 10 core components and create a tangible and meaningful action plan to address violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples, the Manitoba RCMP is working with Indigenous communities to form a Joint Action Circle (JAC). The JAC will collaborate to prioritize areas of concern and develop detailed, specific strategies and actions. The JAC plans to have its first meeting in February 2024.

The JAC will be Indigenous-led and survivor-centric. Sitting on the JAC will be representatives from various Indigenous government, organizations, communities, Manitoba RCMP units, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Survivors, and family members. Organizations that have already agreed to provide a representative include: Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs; Manitoba Métis Federation; Manitoba Inuit Association; Tunggasugit Inuit Resource Centre; Manitoba Keeatinowi Omimakanak; Southern Chiefs Organization; Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba; and, Assembly of First Nations – Manitoba Region.

Addressing Systemic Racism
The RCMP is an organization where treating others with dignity is expected and respect is earned. It is critically important for Canadians to feel protected by the police. The RCMP is committed to taking whatever steps are required to enhance trust between the RCMP and the communities they serve.
For example, an Anti-Racism Unit has been established with a focus on Race-Based Data Collection (RBDC), and development of an Anti-Racism strategy to address systemic racism in the RCMP. RBDC will identify where there are differences in policing outcomes for Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities across Canada, with an intersectional lens that centers on equity seeking communities. The analysis of the data, along with dialogue with communities and members will form the action plan aimed at driving improvements to policies, practices and training, to ensure the delivery of more transparent, equitable, and modern policing services.

Enhanced Operational Responses
The RCMP has enhanced its operational response with a Missing Persons Strategy that reinforces the investigative priority and supervisory oversight of missing persons cases and provides for enhanced training for investigators. In addition, the Missing Persons Policy was updated, highlighting the immediacy in taking missing person reports, regardless of time and jurisdiction, providing the necessary support to families, referrals to victim services with consideration of cultural needs and the implementation of a mandatory, standardized risk assessment tool. There is increased supervision and mandatory family communication schedules. The Missing Persons Investigations training includes a full module on Indigenous people and is mandatory for all officers and supervisors who investigate missing persons cases.

None