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Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act

Welcome

On December 9, 2020, the Legislative Assembly appointed the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act to examine, inquire into, and make recommendations to the Legislative Assembly on: reforms related to the modernization and sustainability of policing under the Police Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 367); the role of police with respect to complex social issues including mental health and wellness, addictions and harm reduction; the scope of systemic racism within BC's police agencies; and 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). Please see the Special Committee's Terms of Reference to view the full text of the referral.

The Committee is accepting written, audio and video submissions as part of its public consultation. Committee Members will review these submissions with a view to inviting presentations at a later date. To make a submission, please visit the Committee's consultation portal. The Guide to Submissions may assist you in preparing your submission. The deadline for submissions is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 30. Further opportunities to participate will be available as the Committee's work proceeds.

The Committee is also currently meeting with community advocacy organizations, service providers, Indigenous communities and subject matter experts. The Committee's meeting schedule will be updated on an ongoing basis.

Further updates on the work of the Special Committee will be posted to this page. If you would like to be added to our email distribution list, please contact the Parliamentary Committees Office at Policeactreform@leg.bc.ca.

Terms of Reference

On December 9, 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).

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

That any information or evidence previously under consideration by the Special Committee appointed by order of the House on July 8, 2020 be referred to the Special Committee.

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

  1. appoint of its number one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Special Committee and to delegate to the subcommittees all or any of its powers except the power to report directly to the House;

  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.

That the Special Committee report to the House by October 8, 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: Policeactreform@leg.bc.ca

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Parliament Buildings, Victoria BC V8V 1X4 Canada