Skip to Main content

14.42°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Sep 28, 2020 7:29 PM -

No safe mask option for bearded members, RCMP says, but force is exploring solutions

Share On

no-safe-mask-option-for-bearded-members-rcmp-says-but-force-is-exploring-solutions

The RCMP logo is seen outside Royal Canadian Mounted Police "E" Division Headquarters, in Surrey, B.C., on Friday April 13, 2018. The RCMP has arrested and charged an Ontario man with falsely claiming to have committed terrorist acts. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

The RCMP says there is no safe and proven face covering for officers with beards, but it is working to find one for Sikh members temporarily sidelined from front-line policing.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has publicly expressed disappointment that Sikh RCMP officers find themselves on desk duty during the COVID-19 pandemic because their religiously mandated facial hair makes it difficult to properly wear a mask.

In a statement today, the RCMP says while a respirator, such as an N95 mask, is not mandatory in all front-line situations, it is sometimes required to reduce risk.

The national police force says it is in a unique position compared to other police services because it is subject to the Canada Labour Code and Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.

The RCMP says it continues to explore ways to address the mask issue.

Latest news

psac-announces-strike-vote-for-120-000-federal-workers

CanadaOct 21, 2026

PSAC Announces Strike Vote for 120,000 Federal Workers

Canada’s largest federal public service union has announced a nationwide strike vote after contract negotiations with the government stalled. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) represents approximately 120,000 workers, including wildfire firefighters, passport officers, fisheries officers, federal teachers, librarians and administrative staff. The strike vote will run from November 16, 2026, to January 22, 2027. The union and the Treasury Board have been in a dispute over a new collective agreement for the past 18 months. PSAC alleges that the federal government has repeatedly dela

IndiaOct 21, 2026

CBI Takes Over Jhota Murder Probe, Post-Mortem Decision Still Pending

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has begun investigating the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Punjab. The central agency has registered an FIR in Chandigarh in connection with the case. CBI officials met Jhota’s family and recorded their statements. The team also collected evidence from the shop of the accused, Ashwani Kumar, and other locations linked to the case. The agency is reportedly trying to persuade the family to agree to a post-mortem examination. The CBI has assured them that a medical board of doctors at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Educatio

carney-says-federal-government-wont-back-down-on-immigration-targets

CanadaOct 21, 2026

Carney Says Federal Government Won’t Back Down on Immigration Targets

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has assured that the federal government will maintain sustainable immigration levels and will not back away from its targets. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Wednesday morning, Carney said his government is consulting provincial governments on bringing immigration to appropriate levels and distributing newcomers more effectively across the country based on economic needs. His remarks came after Alberta’s referendum, in which approximately 53 per cent of voters supported giving the province greater control over immigration policies to reduce the number o

canada-interest-rate-hike-looms-putting-more-pressure-on-homebuyers

CanadaOct 21, 2026

Canada Interest Rate Hike Looms, Putting More Pressure on Homebuyers

Canada’s real estate market could face renewed pressure if the Bank of Canada raises interest rates, with mortgage and lending experts warning that higher borrowing costs could discourage homebuyers and push house prices lower. The central bank has not raised interest rates since July 2023. While it is expected to keep its benchmark rate unchanged for an eighth consecutive decision, many economists and traders believe rate hikes could be on the horizon as policymakers seek to contain inflation. The Bank of Canada’s policy rate has remained at 2.25% since a 0.25-percentage-point cut in Octo

Former Surrey Massage Therapist to Be Sentenced November 12 in 12 Sexual Assault Cases

A former Surrey massage therapist is scheduled to be sentenced on November 12 after being found guilty of 12 counts of sexual assault. Following a 35-day trial at the B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster, Justice Lance Bernard found Leonard Krekic guilty in 12 separate cases. The incidents occurred between December 30, 1994, and April 25, 2017, at a clinic in Surrey and the surrounding area. In December 2022, the College of Massage Therapists banned Krekic from practising for 25 years and imposed a fine of more than $105,000. Under Canadian law, sexual assault convictions can carry a maximum

Related News

PSAC Announces Strike Vote for 120,000 Federal Workers

PSAC Announces Strike Vote for 120,000 Federal Workers

Canada’s largest federal public service union has announced a nationwide strike vote after contract negotiations with the government stalled. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) represents approximately 120,000 workers, including wildfire firefighters, passport officers, fisheries officers, federal teachers, librarians and administrative staff. The strike vote will run from November 16, 2026, to January 22, 2027. The union and the Treasury Board have been in a dispute over a new collective agreement for the past 18 months. PSAC alleges that the federal government has repeatedly dela

Carney Says Federal Government Won’t Back Down on Immigration Targets

Carney Says Federal Government Won’t Back Down on Immigration Targets

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has assured that the federal government will maintain sustainable immigration levels and will not back away from its targets. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Wednesday morning, Carney said his government is consulting provincial governments on bringing immigration to appropriate levels and distributing newcomers more effectively across the country based on economic needs. His remarks came after Alberta’s referendum, in which approximately 53 per cent of voters supported giving the province greater control over immigration policies to reduce the number o

Canada Interest Rate Hike Looms, Putting More Pressure on Homebuyers

Canada Interest Rate Hike Looms, Putting More Pressure on Homebuyers

Canada’s real estate market could face renewed pressure if the Bank of Canada raises interest rates, with mortgage and lending experts warning that higher borrowing costs could discourage homebuyers and push house prices lower. The central bank has not raised interest rates since July 2023. While it is expected to keep its benchmark rate unchanged for an eighth consecutive decision, many economists and traders believe rate hikes could be on the horizon as policymakers seek to contain inflation. The Bank of Canada’s policy rate has remained at 2.25% since a 0.25-percentage-point cut in Octo

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital