Skip to Main content

17.43°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Nov 17, 2023 7:45 PM - Connect News

Federal unit of RCMP faces staff crunch, many positions vacant

Share On

federal-unit-of-rcmp-faces-staff-crunch-many-positions-vacant

At present, the wing has 507 fewer police officers than a decade ago and 500 more posts are vacant. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

The RCMP's federal unit, which investigates Canada's serious crime cases, is facing staff shortages.

According to RCMP spokesperson Marie-Eve Breton, the federal policing wing is short about 1,000 positions.

At present, the wing has 507 fewer police officers than a decade ago and 500 more posts are vacant.

Breton said federal policing currently has about 5,000 employees.

The RCMP has two main policing units, one that provides local and regional law enforcement officers to the states and the other is a federal policing wing that investigates cases related to national and international crimes such as money laundering, foreign interference and drug trafficking.

The National Security Committee of Parliament has also expressed concern over the lack of staff in the RCMP's federal unit.

Lawmakers have asked Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc to direct the RCMP to address staffing issues, and if the RCMP doesn't do so, then consider a stand-alone federal policing agency.

Latest news

68-year-old-woman-dies-after-being-struck-by-vehicle-in-north-burnaby

68-Year-Old Woman Dies After Being Struck by Vehicle in North Burnaby

A 68-year-old woman has died after being struck by a vehicle in North Burnaby. According to Burnaby RCMP, the incident happened at around 6:30 p.m. Monday in the area of Pender Street and McDonald Avenue. Police said the Burnaby woman suffered serious injuries in the collision. She received medical attention at the scene and was rushed to hospital, where she later died due to the severity of her injuries. The driver of the vehicle involved remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators. Burnaby RCMP is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision. Investig

Punjabi Truck Driver Allegedly Targeted in Racist Attack at Edmonton Walmart

A Punjabi truck driver from B.C. was allegedly assaulted in what is being described as a racially motivated attack at a Walmart store in Edmonton. The Edmonton Police Service’s Hate Crimes Unit is investigating the incident. The incident took place on August 6 at the Walmart on Tamarack Way in southeast Edmonton. Talwinder Singh Atwal says he had stopped at the store while working when a young man and a woman allegedly began making racist remarks toward him. Atwal says he initially ignored the comments, but after being repeatedly harassed, he asked them why they were behaving that way. He al

Surrey Municipal Election 2026: Candidate Nominations Open September 1

The official nomination period for candidates running in Surrey’s 2026 municipal election has been set for September 1 to 11, with prospective candidates beginning preparations for their campaigns. Voting will take place on October 17, while advance voting will be available from October 7 to 15. Surrey voters will elect a total of 15 representatives, including one mayor, eight city councillors and six school trustees. According to city staff estimates, the election is expected to cost taxpayers approximately $3.448 million. The city has also introduced strict rules governing campaign signs.

more-than-41-000-vehicles-cross-gordie-howe-bridge-in-first-five-days

CanadaAug 11, 2026

More Than 41,000 Vehicles Cross Gordie Howe Bridge in First Five Days

More than 41,000 vehicles entered Canada from the United States through the new Gordie Howe International Bridge during its first five days of operation. The figure includes return trips by Canadian residents. According to preliminary Statistics Canada data, about 18,900 Canadian travellers crossed into Canada through the new bridge connecting Windsor and Detroit, while approximately 18,100 U.S. citizens entered Canada during the same period. In addition, nearly 4,100 commercial transport trucks travelled into Canada through the new route during the final five days of July. By comparison, the

AlbertaAug 11, 2026

Alberta Sending More Firefighters to Help Battle B.C. Wildfires

The Alberta government is sending additional firefighters and support crews to British Columbia today to help battle wildfires across the province. Alberta’s Ministry of Forestry and Parks says 186 firefighters have already arrived in B.C. and are assisting with wildfire response efforts, while another 40 personnel are being deployed Tuesday. The province is also providing air support, including two airtankers, two helitankers and a helicopter. An additional 45 support staff members, including an Incident Management Team, are also being deployed. More than 100 wildfires are currently burning

Related News

More Than 41,000 Vehicles Cross Gordie Howe Bridge in First Five Days

More Than 41,000 Vehicles Cross Gordie Howe Bridge in First Five Days

More than 41,000 vehicles entered Canada from the United States through the new Gordie Howe International Bridge during its first five days of operation. The figure includes return trips by Canadian residents. According to preliminary Statistics Canada data, about 18,900 Canadian travellers crossed into Canada through the new bridge connecting Windsor and Detroit, while approximately 18,100 U.S. citizens entered Canada during the same period. In addition, nearly 4,100 commercial transport trucks travelled into Canada through the new route during the final five days of July. By comparison, the

Environment Canada launches new polygon-based weather alert system

Environment Canada launches new polygon-based weather alert system

Environment Canada has introduced a new polygon-based alert system across Canada to provide more precise warnings about severe weather. The goal is to reduce unnecessary alerts being sent to people who are not directly in the path of a storm. Previously, when a severe storm warning was issued, alerts could be sent across an entire area, even if the storm was not expected to affect all of it. Under the new system, meteorologists will draw a specific polygon on a digital map to identify the areas facing the greatest risk. This means mobile alerts will be sent only to people located within the st

Canada-U.S. trade talks continue as tariff deadline approaches

Canada-U.S. trade talks continue as tariff deadline approaches

Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc is meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington today as the two countries continue efforts to resolve their ongoing trade dispute. It is their third face-to-face meeting in the past few weeks. LeBlanc was scheduled to travel to Washington on Monday, but his flight was forced to return to Montreal due to bad weather. Meanwhile, Canada’s chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette, spent Monday in the U.S. capital, where she met with an official from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Team Canada is working to find a middle ground to av

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital