We won our lawsuit against the RCMP Commissioner!
- Details
- Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00
- Written by editor
Dear Friend,
In 2014, we filed a complaint against the RCMP for illegal surveillance of climate organizations and Indigenous land defenders. We encountered delay after delay in the complaints process. Finally, we said enough is enough, and we took the RCMP Commissioner to court in 2020.
Today, I have good news – we won our case!
We argued in court that systemic delays have plagued the RCMP complaints process for over a decade, and it is time to hold the RCMP Commissioner to account. The Federal Court of Canada agreed. The Court held that the RCMP Commissioner breached her statutory obligations by failing to respond to a Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) watchdog report about our complaint “as soon as feasible.”
This decision is a huge victory for police accountability. For the first time, a court has made clear that the RCMP Commissioner must respond to CRCC... reports within 6 months.
This is a win on behalf of many communities who have been calling for justice and an end to the abuse of police power. This case all started because of illegal surveillance of grassroots climate organizations and Indigenous land defenders. Today, we celebrate this victory for those who are overpoliced and under protected.
This decision is a step in the right direction, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of our community.
When it comes to police accountability, justice delayed is justice denied.
Thank you for standing with us in our long fight for justice. Time and time again, when we’ve told you about this case, you have stepped up and made donations to support our work. Thank you for your generosity and your longstanding support.
Sincerely,
Jessica Magonet (she/her)
Staff Counsel, Litigation
