The federal Liberals are demanding an apology from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre for his comments questioning the RCMP’s independence and integrity, where he accused the police of covering up for the Liberal government. Poilievre made these remarks during an interview with the YouTube channel Northern Perspective, alleging that former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had broken the law in the Aga Khan scandal and the SNC-Lavalin affair.
During Monday’s question period, Liberal House Leader Steve MacKinnon urged Poilievre to apologize in the House of Commons for his statements that undermined the judiciary, prosecutors, and the police. Poilievre did not apologize, claiming the Liberals were deflecting attention from the cost of living in Canada. However, in a written statement, he expressed appreciation for the RCMP’s service while maintaining his belief that the force had shielded the Liberal government.
Criticism of Poilievre’s comments likened him to U.S. President Donald Trump, with Green Party Leader Elizabeth May expressing concern over the language used in Canadian politics. Despite the backlash, Poilievre’s office instructed Conservative MPs to emphasize support for the RCMP, highlighting the party’s commitment to providing additional resources for the force.
The RCMP clarified that there was insufficient evidence to lay charges in the SNC-Lavalin affair. The ethics commissioner found Trudeau in violation of the Conflict of Interest Act but stated there was no interference in the investigation. The RCMP emphasized its operational independence, and recommendations have been made to enhance this independence to prevent political influence.