RCMP Watch

Globe and Mail
RCMP should not be investigating itself, Liberal public-safety critic says

OTTAWA — Former justice minister Irwin Cotler called yesterday for an independent review into which members of the RCMP were responsible for causing or prolonging Maher Arar’s ordeal, saying the force is incapable of investigating its own actions in the case.

Four years after the RCMP provided false information about Mr. Arar to U.S. authorities, data that an inquiry report found was “very likely” used to deport him to Syria for imprisonment and torture, no one has been held accountable, said Mr. Cotler, who is now the Liberal critic for public safety.

None of the officers who worked on the Arar case has been disciplined and several have received promotions or merit awards.

Mr. Justice Dennis O’Connor said in his inquiry report last month that RCMP information-sharing practices should be subjected to an independent review.