Terms of Reference

​On July 8, 2020, the Legislative Assembly agreed that a Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act be appointed to examine, inquire into, and make recommendations to the Legislative Assembly on the following:

1. Reforms related to independent oversight, transparency, governance, structure, service delivery, standards, funding, training and education, and any other considerations which may apply respecting the modernization and sustainability of policing under the Police Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 367) and all related agreements.
2. The role of police with respect to complex social issues including mental health and wellness, addictions, and harm reduction; and in consideration of any appropriate changes to relevant sections of the Mental Health Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 288).
3. The scope of systemic racism within British Columbia's police agencies, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, independent municipal police and designated policing units, and its impact on public safety and public trust in policing.
4. Whether there are measures necessary to ensure a modernized Police Act is consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007), as required by section 3 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (S.B.C. 2019, c. 44).

The Special Committee shall undertake the above examinations as it deems appropriate with regard to relevant reports, studies, and examinations.

The Special Committee shall have all the powers of a Select Standing Committee and in addition is empowered to:

1. appoint of their number, one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Committee;
2. sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House;
3. conduct consultations by any means the Committee considers appropriate;
4. adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and
5. retain personnel as required to assist the Committee.

The Special Committee shall report to the House by May 14, 2021, or following any adjournment, or at the next following Session, as the case may be; to deposit the original of its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournment and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly.

Contact Information

Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act
c/o Parliamentary Committees Office
Room 224, Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC V8V 1X4
Canada

Phone: 250-356-2933 (collect) or 1-877-428-8337 (toll-free)
Fax: 250-356-8172
Email: ClerkComm@leg.bc.ca

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