Mandate of the Committee

On 30 May 2018, the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (the Committee) was instructed by the House of Commons to undertake a study of crime in rural areas in Canada and to report its findings to the House.[1] The Committee heard from 19 witnesses over the course of five meetings in June and October 2018 and received seven briefs.[2] Witnesses provided their perspectives of events and expertise on the issue of crime in rural areas. The Committee heard testimony from several individuals who shared their challenging experiences with crime in rural areas and the difficulties they faced.

Crime in Rural Areas

The Committee recognizes that crime in rural areas is of growing concern to rural residents across the country. The Committee heard that while crime in rural areas is more acute in western Canada, eastern provinces are also experiencing high crime rates in rural areas.[3] Incidents reported by witnesses to the Committee were related to property crimes such as a break-ins, thefts and, in some cases, violent assaults.[4] The risks of sexual violence, violence towards women and suicide in rural areas were also underscored by witnesses.[5]

Edouard and Jessica Maurice, Fredrick Priestley-Wright, Alicia Bedford and Geraldine Dixon explained to the Committee how rural residents are sometimes left on their own because of long police response times, which can be hours or even days in some cases. According to Scott Newark, this is the core of the crime problem in rural areas, which is causing an erosion of public confidence.[6] The Committee heard of innovative solutions that could help address the issue, such as the crime reduction strategy that has been implemented by the province of Alberta.[7]

The Committee recognizes the feelings of helplessness of the witnesses, and their desire to take matters into their own hands. However, the Committee discourages this kind of intervention by citizens. The Committee agrees with Nick Cornea who said: “Be Vigilant and Not Vigilantes.”[8] While community watch groups and rural crime groups should be encouraged, they should not be an alternative to professionally trained police officers.

Witnesses also emphasized the importance of partnerships between police forces and community groups, who can be the eyes and ears of front-line officers.[9] Moreover, the Committee heard that rural communities are generally very respectful of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) due to their long-term presence and responsibilities within the communities they serve.[10]

Policing in Rural Areas

Policing is primarily the responsibility of provincial governments. Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador manage and fund their own provincial policing services. Some municipalities and First Nations and Inuit communities choose to have their own police services as well. However, the RCMP is contracted by several provinces, municipalities and First Nations and Inuit communities to provide policing services, including Alberta and Saskatchewan, the most represented provinces in the witnesses appearing before the Committee. The provinces and municipalities who enter into these policing arrangements with the RCMP establish the level of resources, budget and policing priorities of the contract police detachments in consultation with the RCMP.[11]

Therefore, the Committee strongly encourages provinces and territories to increase investments in policing and innovative solutions, including emergency response and dispatch centres. In addition, the Committee believes that every Canadian should have equal access to policing, victim services and programs,[12] and that the RCMP should consider ways to partner with other policing agencies and make greater use of the auxiliary and reserve programs in rural areas.[13]

In conclusion, the Committee believes that effective crime reduction measures should have at least four components: adequate police resources, partnerships with the community, robust victim support and a justice system that inspires public confidence.