The president of the National Police Federation, representing numerous Mounties, expressed concerns over the potential negative impact of the Liberal government’s proposal to establish a new financial crime enforcement agency on the already-strained RCMP. Rob Farrer testified before a parliamentary committee examining Bill C-29, which aims to create a dedicated Financial Crimes Agency (FCA) to address deficiencies in investigating financial crimes like money laundering and online fraud, typically handled by the RCMP.
Farrer emphasized that the RCMP could effectively handle this responsibility with improved resources, advocating for sustained staffing, modern tools, and specialized support for existing teams rather than establishing a separate agency. He stressed the importance of enhancing investigative capacity and outcomes rather than merely creating a new organization.
The proposed FCA, distinct from the RCMP, would have its own police officers authorized to conduct searches and arrests, although the bill includes provisions for Mounties to be assigned to the new agency. Concerns were raised about workforce capacity, with Farrer warning that replacing experienced RCMP financial crime investigators would disrupt operations and exacerbate retention challenges.
Recruitment and retention issues within the RCMP have been well-documented, with Farrer highlighting the extensive time required to develop expertise in investigating financial crimes. The new agency is expected to include civilian investigators, criminal and financial intelligence personnel, asset recovery experts, and specialized prosecutors.
Questions were raised about accountability for RCMP officers assigned to the FCA, particularly regarding safety, performance, discipline, and disclosure management. The union urged that any funding for the new agency should be separate from existing RCMP allocations. It also called for ensuring that Mounties assigned to the FCA have adequate support and a transition plan to safeguard ongoing investigations.
