SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Bill

Bill C-303

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
November 01, 2022
An Act to amend the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act
  • Bill C-303 is an amendment to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act. It clarifies the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness's authority to issue directions to the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and requires that these directions be in writing. This bill also establishes reporting and publishing requirements for these directions. The Minister cannot issue directions regarding operational decisions, law enforcement decisions in specific cases, or anything that would interfere with the Commissioner's powers. Any directions issued must be tabled in Parliament and published in the Canada Gazette.
  • H1
  • H2
  • H3
  • S1
  • S2
  • S3
  • RA
  • Yea
  • Nay
  • star_border

SteelmanSpren in Favour

  • A steelman argument in favor of Bill C-303 could be: Bill C-303 is an important amendment to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act as it seeks to enhance transparency and accountability within the Force. By requiring that all directions issued by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness be in writing, the bill ensures that there is a clear and documented record of the priorities, objectives, and policies established for the Force. This can help prevent any miscommunication or confusion in the implementation of these directives. Moreover, the bill's provision for reporting and publishing requirements further strengthens accountability. Requiring the Minister to table a copy of any direction issued to the Commissioner in Parliament ensures that the Members of Parliament, who represent the Canadian public, are aware of the actions being taken by the Minister in relation to the RCMP. This allows for more oversight and scru

SteelmanSpren Against

  • A steelman argument opposing Bill C-303 could be as follows: The amendment to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Act proposed in Bill C-303 places unnecessary restrictions on the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and interferes with the operational autonomy of the RCMP. While it is important for the Minister to provide overall direction to the Commissioner of the RCMP, requiring all directions to be issued in writing and imposing reporting and publishing requirements may hinder the efficient functioning of the force. By mandating that all directions be issued in writing, the proposed amendment may create delays in decision-making processes. Urgent operational matters often require quick responses and issuing written directions may not always be feasible or necessary. Allowing for verbal or immediate communication between the Minister and the Commissioner would enable timely decision-making. Furthermore, the r

House Debates

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 14, 2024
House First Reading
  • Nov. 1, 2022, 10 a.m.
  • In Progress
  • Read