Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre recently criticized the RCMP’s autonomy, labeling the leadership of the national police force as “reprehensible” and alleging a cover-up in favor of the Liberal government and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. In a YouTube interview, Poilievre asserted that had the RCMP not shielded Trudeau, he would have faced criminal charges for various incidents, including the 2016 Aga Khan scandal and the SNC-Lavalin affair.
Poilievre accused Trudeau of breaking the law by accepting a complimentary vacation and suggested that the RCMP overlooked potential criminal charges in both cases. He expressed dissatisfaction with the RCMP’s leadership for failing to uphold the law against the Liberal government.
In response to Poilievre’s remarks, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme defended the integrity of his team and refuted claims of political interference. Former RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki had explored the possibility of charging Trudeau with fraud concerning the Aga Khan vacation but ultimately decided against pursuing a criminal investigation due to legal technicalities.
The RCMP’s internal documents, made public in 2022, revealed that Trudeau’s actions did not result in a criminal investigation because of a legal nuance regarding receiving gifts as a government official. The Conservative Party criticized Trudeau for allegedly granting himself a “get out of jail free card” in this context.
Additionally, the RCMP clarified that they found insufficient evidence to press charges in the SNC-Lavalin affair, despite findings by the ethics commissioner that Trudeau breached the Conflict of Interest Act. The RCMP emphasized that their investigations are conducted meticulously and impartially, even when faced with challenges such as limited access to sensitive information.
Commissioner Duheme invited Poilievre to engage with the RCMP leadership to address his concerns directly and asserted the organization’s independence from political influence. The National Police Federation echoed a similar sentiment, emphasizing the professionalism and integrity of the RCMP in carrying out their duties without political interference.
The statement from Poilievre’s office reiterated the importance of law enforcement in safeguarding communities and emphasized the Conservative Party’s stance on upholding the rule of law. Despite being accountable to the government, the RCMP is expected to maintain operational independence, particularly in investigative matters, to prevent undue political influence.