Skip to Main content

22.93°^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

CanadaAug 26, 2026

41-Year-Old Punjabi Man Satwant Soni Sangha Killed in Downtown Toronto

A 41-year-old Punjabi man, Satwant “Sonny” Sangha, has been identified as the victim of a homicide in downtown Toronto. According to the Toronto Police Service, officers responded to a call about a sudden death at around 1:43 a.m. on August 21, 2026, in the area of McGill Street and Church Street. Police attended a residence where a male victim was found deceased.  An autopsy was later conducted, and signs of trauma were found on Sangha’s body. Following the autopsy findings, the death was classified as a homicide. Police have identified the victim as Satwant “Sonny” Sangha, 41, o

eby-urges-ottawa-to-consider-tougher-non-tariff-measures-in-u-s-trade-dispute

Eby urges Ottawa to consider tougher non-tariff measures in U.S. trade dispute

B.C. Premier David Eby is urging Prime Minister Mark Carney’s federal government to consider measures beyond retaliatory tariffs in response to the ongoing trade dispute with the United States. Eby said Canada should consider stronger non-tariff measures and indicated B.C. could impose a surcharge on energy exports to the U.S. or restrict those exports if necessary. The premier also called on Ottawa to review its plan to purchase U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets. Eby argued that the current trade tensions should prompt a reassessment of the planned multibillion-dollar defence purchase. Eby also s

CanadaAug 25, 2026

Dingell Slams Trump Over Strained Canada-U.S. Relations, Urges Resumption of Talks

Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell has strongly criticized President Donald Trump’s policies amid worsening relations between Canada and the United States, saying it is an extremely disappointing time for the country when the president appears more comfortable strengthening ties with dictators than talking to one of America’s closest friends and allies. Dingell said Canada and the United States share the world’s longest international border and are connected by generations of friendship, family ties, democratic values and the geography of the Great Lakes. Her comments come

wildfire-threat-eases-in-b-c-as-major-fires-drop-to-just-three

Wildfire Threat Eases in B.C. as Major Fires Drop to Just Three

According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, the Brunswick Creek wildfire in the Fraser Canyon area is no longer considered a wildfire of note, after the threat posed by the blaze eased. The fire has now been removed from the province’s wildfire-of-note list, leaving just three major wildfires in B.C. The agency said, however, that firefighters are still working to fully contain the fire on the west side of the Fraser River. Meanwhile, the Ansley Creek wildfire on the east side of the river remains out of control and is one of the three remaining major wildfires in the province. The Bald Range wi

Drug Toxicity Crisis in B.C.: 138 Deaths Reported in June 2026

Suspected unregulated drug toxicity claimed 138 lives in British Columbia in June 2026, according to preliminary data from the BC Coroners Service. That works out to approximately 4.6 deaths per day. During the first six months of 2026, people between the ages of 30 and 59 accounted for 68% of all drug-toxicity deaths in the province, while 75% of those who died were male. The Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities recorded the highest numbers of unregulated drug deaths in 2026, with 206 and 200 deaths respectively. Together, they accounted for 52% of all such deaths in the province.

Related News

41-Year-Old Punjabi Man Satwant Soni Sangha Killed in Downtown Toronto

41-Year-Old Punjabi Man Satwant Soni Sangha Killed in Downtown Toronto

A 41-year-old Punjabi man, Satwant “Sonny” Sangha, has been identified as the victim of a homicide in downtown Toronto. According to the Toronto Police Service, officers responded to a call about a sudden death at around 1:43 a.m. on August 21, 2026, in the area of McGill Street and Church Street. Police attended a residence where a male victim was found deceased.  An autopsy was later conducted, and signs of trauma were found on Sangha’s body. Following the autopsy findings, the death was classified as a homicide. Police have identified the victim as Satwant “Sonny” Sangha, 41, o

Dingell Slams Trump Over Strained Canada-U.S. Relations, Urges Resumption of Talks

Dingell Slams Trump Over Strained Canada-U.S. Relations, Urges Resumption of Talks

Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell has strongly criticized President Donald Trump’s policies amid worsening relations between Canada and the United States, saying it is an extremely disappointing time for the country when the president appears more comfortable strengthening ties with dictators than talking to one of America’s closest friends and allies. Dingell said Canada and the United States share the world’s longest international border and are connected by generations of friendship, family ties, democratic values and the geography of the Great Lakes. Her comments come

Melanie Joly Urges Canadians to Buy Canadian-Made Products Amid Escalating Trade War

Melanie Joly Urges Canadians to Buy Canadian-Made Products Amid Escalating Trade War

Canada’s Industry Minister Melanie Joly has strongly urged Canadians to buy Canadian-made products as the trade war with the United States continues to escalate. Speaking at a press conference in Ottawa alongside other federal ministers, Joly said government officials have been working with retailers to make it easier for consumers to identify Canadian-made products in the marketplace. Joly said that when Canadians choose Canadian goods, they are not only putting pressure on the United States but also helping protect jobs in Canada. She described the effort as a “movement of resistance.”

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital