The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are under increased pressure to make a formal apology for their role, or lack thereof, during Nova Scotia’s mass shooting. This follows the recent release of an internal memorandum stating that senior officials had intended to issue an apology shortly after the final report of the Mass Casualty Commission was released this past spring.
Despite coming close to issuing a formal apology on several occasions, the RCMP are yet to do so, with various reasons offered in explanation. Although the Mass Casualty Commission’s long-anticipated report did not explicitly call for an apology from Canada’s national police force, it did highlight a series of errors and misjudgments made during the deadliest mass shooting in Canadian history. The report also recommended that the police should cultivate a culture of acknowledging their mistakes.
Assistant Commissioner Dennis Daley nearly broached the topic during an interview on CTV News, stating, “Our members and employees did the best they could”, and issuing an apology to the families who felt that the response was insufficient. However, the tone of the conversation suggested an expectation for a broader, more formal acknowledgement.
The Globe and Mail reported on an internal memo from RCMP Assistant Commissioner Sorab Rupa, which conveyed the pressing need for the RCMP to concede its failings and display a readiness to be accountable for them in a “timely and decisive” manner.
Relatives of the victims claim that the lack of communication from the RCMP signals a hesitance to implement necessary changes. Others, like criminology professor Michael Boudreau of Saint Thomas University, are candid about the lack of surprise at the RCMP’s reticence, noting a historic reluctance within the force to acknowledge fault in various situations.
Boudreau further stressed that this issue hints at a deeper, structural problem at the highest levels of the organization that is resistant to change. He commented that the RCMP’s failure to recognize their mistakes had a fatal impact in the Nova Scotia incident.
There has been no official response from the RCMP regarding the anticipated apology. However, the office of the newly appointed Public Safety Minister, Dominic LeBlanc, anticipates the RCMP will issue the apology soon.
In his role as Public Safety Minister, LeBlanc expressed commitment to a thorough response to the recommendations put forth by the Mass Casualty Commission. “Minister LeBlanc looks forward to working with Commissioner Duheme on this matter over the coming months”, quoted Jean-Sebastien Comeau, the minister’s senior communications advisor.
A spokesperson for the RCMP noted in an email to CTV News that they have already started addressing gaps in their approach. To further this transparency, they are planning a significant public update on their response to the MCC Final Report. This sentiment was underscored by Assistant Commissioner Daley, who expressed the RCMP’s intent to act upon each recommendation.
Assistant Commissioner Daley emphasized that police leaders need to exhibit courage, commitment, and collaboration to address each of the recommendations effectively.
