RCMP Contract Review - QP
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Justice, and I'll return to a topic that was raised earlier. In April 2019, the Municipality of the District of Colchester issued a news release requesting a full review of the policing contract with the RCMP in terms of service levels and value for payment.
When I wrote the former minister in December 2020 to ask about a review of policing services that he had promised - and I'll table that article - the minister indicated to me that an internal committee was conducting a preliminary analysis.
Mr. Speaker, my question to the minister is: Will the minister provide an update as to whether that analysis is complete and commit to tabling it in the House when it is?
HON. BRAD JOHNS « » : Mr. Speaker, through you to the member, I would point out the words "former minister" and "he promised." This minister has said there is no review of policing. There are numerous analyses that continue on an ongoing basis for staff's review, staff's information, and those are internal analyses.
What I will commit to, through you, Speaker, to the member is as soon as we go to look at policing throughout the province we'll come back and inform all the members of the House at that time.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, this is a matter of public interest. Either the minister is saying that the former minister was not being candid or truthful with this House, or else he is hiding a report that exists within his department.
Mr. Speaker, within the past year, members of the public have expressed concern regarding the RCMP's handling of the mass shooting in Portapique, their approach to conflicts around the fishery in the southwest part of the province, and daytime raids conducted in Dartmouth and in Halifax.
The Public Accounts for the 2020 to 2021 fiscal year show that the Department of Justice expenses were 4.4 per cent higher than the estimate, primarily due to an $11.5 million in additional RCMP costs. I'll table that.
Mr. Speaker, my question to the minister is: Given the seriousness of these issues, will the minister commit to a transparent, accountable and immediate review of the RCMP contract that is public and separate from the Mass Casualty Commission?
BRAD JOHNS « » : No.