Skip to Main content

9.97°^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

man-pleads-guilty-to-manslaughter-in-fatal-coquitlam-pub-stabbing

Man pleads guilty to manslaughter in fatal Coquitlam pub stabbing

A 33-year-old man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with a fatal stabbing outside a pub in Coquitlam last year, according to homicide investigators. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said Timothy Vansnick was originally charged with second-degree murder following the incident on Jan. 31, 2025. Police said the stabbing occurred after a fight outside the pub. Bystanders attempted first aid before emergency responders continued life-saving efforts, but the victim died at the scene. Investigators said Vansnick was charged with second-degree murder on Feb. 1, 2025. On Tuesda

water-restored-in-parts-of-kamloops-but-boil-water-advisory-and-restrictions-remain

Water restored in parts of Kamloops, but boil water advisory and restrictions remain

Water service has been restored to parts of Kamloops following a major water main break in the city’s east end, but officials say the supply remains unsafe to drink as repair work continues. The City of Kamloops said potable water trucks will remain stationed at four locations in the affected area through Friday to provide residents with safe drinking water. According to the city, residents are also being asked to temporarily stop using water again until 6 p.m. Thursday while crews complete what officials described as a critical repair to the damaged main. City officials said the temporary s

vancouver-police-seek-public-help-locating-missing-man-last-seen-near-vgh

Vancouver police seek public help locating missing man last seen near VGH

Vancouver Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a 30-year-old man who was last seen near Vancouver General Hospital early Thursday morning. According to a Vancouver Police Department release, Sahil Dhallay was last seen around midnight on May 14 in the area of Vancouver General Hospital. Police described Dhallay as a South Asian man who was wearing a brown hospital gown and no shoes at the time he was last seen. Authorities said anyone who sees Dhallay should call 9-1-1 immediately and should not approach him. The case remains under investigation as police continue efforts to l

alberta-court-blocks-separation-petition-over-lack-of-first-nations-consultation

AlbertaMay 14, 2026

Alberta court blocks separation petition over lack of First Nations consultation

An Alberta court has dismissed a petition related to separating the province from Canada, ruling the provincial government failed to meet its duty to consult First Nations before advancing the process. The court said any move toward separation from Canada could directly affect rights protected under Treaties 7 and 8, making consultation with affected Indigenous communities a constitutional requirement. Premier Danielle Smith criticized the ruling, calling it “wrong” and “anti-democratic.” Smith said the provincial government plans to appeal the decision immediately, arguing consultatio

honda-pauses-proposed-15b-ev-project-in-ontario-indefinitely

CanadaMay 14, 2026

Honda pauses proposed $15B EV project in Ontario indefinitely

Honda Motor Co. has indefinitely suspended plans for its proposed $15-billion electric vehicle project in Alliston, Ontario, a move that raises new questions about the pace of Canada’s EV manufacturing expansion. The company announced the decision Thursday, citing changing market conditions and slower consumer demand for electric vehicles. The proposed project was expected to create about 1,000 jobs in the region. Honda said the decision will not affect workers or production at its existing manufacturing facility in Alliston, where current operations will continue as planned. The project had

Related News

Honda pauses proposed $15B EV project in Ontario indefinitely

Honda pauses proposed $15B EV project in Ontario indefinitely

Honda Motor Co. has indefinitely suspended plans for its proposed $15-billion electric vehicle project in Alliston, Ontario, a move that raises new questions about the pace of Canada’s EV manufacturing expansion. The company announced the decision Thursday, citing changing market conditions and slower consumer demand for electric vehicles. The proposed project was expected to create about 1,000 jobs in the region. Honda said the decision will not affect workers or production at its existing manufacturing facility in Alliston, where current operations will continue as planned. The project had

Ontario court sentences truck driver in crash that killed former Olympian Alexandra Paul

Ontario court sentences truck driver in crash that killed former Olympian Alexandra Paul

An Ontario court has sentenced truck driver Sukhwinder Sidhu to two years and five months in prison in connection with a 2023 crash that killed former Canadian Olympian Alexandra Paul. According to proceedings in the Orangeville court, the collision happened on Aug. 22, 2023, in a construction zone in Melancthon Township. Police and court records said Paul was returning home from her family cottage when a transport truck driven by Sidhu struck seven vehicles. Paul, a figure skater who represented Canada at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, died in the crash. Her 10-month-old child suffered a bro

Poilievre calls for immigration minister’s removal over expiring visa concerns

Poilievre calls for immigration minister’s removal over expiring visa concerns

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling for Immigration Minister Lena Diab to be removed from cabinet, accusing the Liberal government of failing to manage Canada’s immigration system as millions of temporary visas approach expiry. Speaking about immigration and labour pressures, Poilievre alleged the federal government does not have a clear plan to track or manage people whose visas are expiring. He claimed there is no effective system in place to determine who has left Canada after their visa expired and who may still be in the country. Poilievre also accused Prime Minister Mark Ca

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital