A new law will establish an enhanced independent review and complaints body for the Canada Border Services Agency and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The Public Complaints and Review Commission would replace the Civilian Review and Complaints ‎Commission, which is currently the review body for the RCMP, and would create, for the first time, a forum for complaints about the conduct of CBSA employees.

This measure is part of a broader effort to address concerns around accountability and systemic racism in law enforcement, said Senator Ratna Omidvar, who sponsored the legislation in the Senate.

“This bill is about trust – about building trust and restoring trust for those who encounter Canada’s law enforcement agencies and come away from the experience feeling that their rights were abused; trust through access to an avenue for their complaints to be heard by an institution that is independent from the law enforcement agencies,” Senator Omidvar said in her third reading speech.

“Bill C-20 will not only create a stronger review body but also contribute to our nation’s efforts to pursue reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and racialized minorities and respond to concerns around systemic racism within law enforcement.”

Senator Omidvar said that the legislation goes beyond reviewing the actions of the RCMP and the CBSA.

“It is about justice, reform, fairness, transparency and accountability. We depend on these agencies to maintain the rule of law in this country. Their officers are entrusted with wide-ranging powers. Canadians expect and deserve assurances that these powers are not abused or misused. In short, we expect and deserve consistent, fair and equal treatment and an effective accountability mechanism when this treatment is not forthcoming.”