Vancouver, B.C. (Canadian Press) – B.C. Solicitor-General Mike de Jong says RCMP accountability to local communities is at the forefront of the talks surrounding a new policing contract with the Mounties.
Mr. de Jong issued a statement Wednesday countering concerns by former solicitor-general Kash Heed over fears RCMP accountability to B.C. communities is no longer guiding the talks and that the province appears ready to rubber stamp a new 20-year deal with the Mounties.
“Ensuring that there is accountability both at the provincial level and at the community level is very much at the centre of these negotiations,” said Mr. de Jong’s statement.
“That has been the case since these negotiations started almost two years ago and remains the case.”
Mr. de Jong said Heed is echoing concerns voiced by municipal officials and he insisted the issue is on the table with the RCMP. Mr. de Jong said the existing agreement expires in 2012, but negotiations are expected to continue for at least another year.
“He’s (Heed) not involved in the negotiations or discussions now,” Mr. de Jong told Kamloops radio station CHNL.
“I’m not sure where he gets the information. He is, I think, articulating a concern I heard from communities at the Union of B.C. Municipalities (annual convention last month) that we ensure there are formal structures in place that promote the notion of accountability between the RCMP and communities they serve and the province they serve.”
Canada’s justice ministers are meeting this week in Vancouver and the RCMP contract with several provinces is expected to be discussed.
The B.C. Civil Liberties Association is also calling for greater transparency during RCMP contract negotiations.
Executive director David Eby said Mr. Heed’s concern about accountability is worrisome.
Mr. Eby said he supports Mr. Heed’s call for a clause in the contract that would allow the province to back out of the deal after three years.
Mr. Heed now sits on the government’s back benches after resigning his cabinet post twice last spring due to a police investigation that resulted in charges against three of his campaign workers.
The former police chief and 31-year policing veteran said he can no longer remain silent about the contract talks, saying when he was solicitor-general, he wanted all police agencies in British Columbia — including the Mounties — governed by the same accountability rules of the B.C. Police Act.
Mr. Heed admitted he is taking a political gamble speaking out against the talks, but said he’s compelled to act.
Last spring, Mr. Heed ended up resigning twice from cabinet in a bizarre set of circumstances that resulted in criminal and Election Act charges against three of his campaign officials, the public rebuke of Vancouver lawyer Terrence Robertson and Mr. Heed’s time out on the Liberal backbenches, pending a second review by a special prosecutor.
Mr. Heed was initially cleared in the case by Mr. Robertson, who was appointed the first special prosecutor.
But that fell apart when Mr. Robertson revealed there may be an appearance of conflict of interest because his law firm donated $1,000 to Mr. Heed’s election campaign in May 2009.
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