RCMP Union Raises Concerns Over Proposed Financial Crimes Agency

The RCMP union is raising concerns over Bill C-29, proposed legislation by the Canadian government to establish a new financial crimes agency to combat money laundering, online fraud and other financial crimes.

Rob Farrer, president of the National Police Federation, told a parliamentary committee on Thursday that creating the new agency could further weaken the RCMP, which is already struggling with significant staffing and resource shortages.

Under the government’s plan, 150 experienced RCMP investigators would initially be assigned to the new agency. Farrer objected to the proposal, arguing that experienced officers with specialized expertise cannot be replaced overnight.

He warned that transferring officers to another agency without providing suitable replacements could disrupt ongoing investigations, increase workloads and intensify pressure on officers, potentially prompting some to leave the force.

Farrer argued that instead of establishing a separate agency, the government should provide existing RCMP teams with modern tools, additional staff and adequate funding to tackle financial crimes more effectively.