RCMP Watch

TONDA MACCHARLES - Toronto Star
A Conservative MP has flagged concerns over RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli’s handling of would-be whistleblowers within the force to Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Edmonton East MP Peter Goldring has spoken directly to Day about his fears. Last month, he wrote a letter to Zaccardelli — copied to Day and Harper — seeking assurances that no career reprisals would befall RCMP officers who come forward with damaging information about a sex abuse case that came under Zaccardelli’s supervision when he was with “J” Division in New Brunswick.

After nearly a month of no response, Zaccardelli faxed a reply to Goldring, hours after the Star began inquiring about the delay last Friday, saying the force “is not vindictive” toward those who report wrongdoing, and reminding the MP of the officers’ duty to report.

But Zaccardelli’s response is not good enough, said Goldring, and lawyer William Gilmour, who has been retained in the matter by an unknown number of officers, whose identities have not been disclosed.

“They would know from the past that there have been reprisals,” said Goldring.

Goldring’s interventions come at a sensitive time for Zaccardelli, whose leadership is under scrutiny. The Conservative government has stated its confidence in him despite a damning inquiry report on the RCMP’s role in the Maher Arar scandal.

Gilmour, himself a former 25-year veteran of the force, said in an interview his clients have not yet seen the letter, but he doubted it would allay their fears, calling its pledge of no “vindictive” reprisals “just hogwash.”

“In advising a client or any client who came forward and said they wanted some comfort that they wouldn’t be persecuted for coming forward, this letter does nothing.”

The case revolves around allegations that in the 1990s the RCMP did not properly investigate alleged criminal conduct by a former RCMP officer, staff and residents of the now-defunct Kingsclear youth training centre. There were allegations the force covered up sexual abuse by the former officer. He was investigated, but police determined there was not enough evidence to lay criminal charges.

Zaccardelli, who was in charge of criminal operations in New Brunswick and later in charge of the force’s overall operations in the province, has said publicly the case was fully investigated.

But a public inquiry in New Brunswick indicated the full picture might never be known. An investigation by the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP is still privately interviewing potential witnesses.

Gilmour suggested many RCMP officers are telling the public complaints commission they don’t remember details out of concerns for their jobs.

Mélisa Leclerc, a spokesperson for Day, said the minister “has assured Mr. Goldring that any RCMP member who comes forward with evidence or testimony specific to this file will not face retribution of any kind.”