15.06°C Vancouver

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

mission-rcmp-seize-firearms-issue-tickets-during-crackdown-on-illegal-shooting-along-forest-service-road
BCJun 18, 2026

Mission RCMP seize firearms, issue tickets during crackdown on illegal shooting along forest service road

Mission RCMP say officers seized multiple firearms and issued several violation tickets during an enforcement operation targeting illegal recreational shooting along the Lost Creek Forest Service Road area over the June 13–14 weekend. According to a Mission RCMP release, officers responded to a report on June 13 of people shooting near the 7.5-kilometre marker of the forest service road. Police located five men from Abbotsford and seized five firearms from two 21-year-old gun owners. The pair later received $690 violation tickets for discharging firearms in a designated no-shooting area. RCM
BCJun 18, 2026

Suspect Arrested in Langford Sexual Assault Investigation Involving Youth

West Shore RCMP say a 33-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a sexual assault investigation involving a youth in Langford. According to an RCMP release, the incident was reported to have occurred on June 9 at about 3 p.m. near the intersection of Jacklin Road and Station Avenue. Police said a female youth was approached by an unknown adult male at a bus stop, where a brief conversation took place before the youth was allegedly sexually assaulted. West Shore RCMP issued a public appeal for assistance on June 12 as investigators worked to identify the suspect. Police said officers
CanadaJun 18, 2026

IRCC pauses final processing of some citizenship cases approved under Bill C-3

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has temporarily paused the final processing of some citizenship cases approved under Bill C-3, commonly known as the "Lost Canadians" legislation. According to IRCC, several dozen individuals have received notices asking them to surrender citizenship certificates that had already been issued while the department reviews their files. The department says the affected cases are undergoing additional document verification. In a statement, IRCC said individuals who have already received citizenship certificates and moved to Canada may continue to
b-c-launches-hydroelectric-upgrades-aimed-at-boosting-power-supply-by-7
BCJun 18, 2026

B.C. launches hydroelectric upgrades aimed at boosting power supply by 7%

The British Columbia government has announced a series of upgrades to its hydroelectric system that it says will increase the province's electricity supply by about seven per cent. Energy Minister Adrian Dix said the largest project will involve adding a sixth generating unit at the Revelstoke Dam, increasing capacity by approximately 500 megawatts by 2032. According to the provincial announcement, the first four generating units at the Revelstoke generating station will also undergo modernization work. The government said upgrades are also planned at six other generating stations and at the W
smith-says-timing-may-prevent-coal-mining-referendum-question-from-appearing-on-october-ballot
AlbertaJun 18, 2026

Smith says timing may prevent coal mining referendum question from appearing on October ballot

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says it may be too late for a citizen-led petition seeking a ban on new coal mining projects to be included in the province's Oct. 19 referendum vote. Earlier this month, Alberta musician Corb Lund submitted what he said were more than 200,000 signatures in support of a petition that would require the Alberta government to consider legislation banning new coal mining or submit the matter to a provincewide referendum if the signatures are verified. According to Alberta's citizen initiative rules, a successful petition can compel the government to either introduce

Related News