Welcome
The Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act has been appointed by the Legislative Assembly to conduct a broad inquiry into policing and related systemic issues in BC. For the full text of the Committee's mandate and referral, please see the
Terms of Reference.
The Committee's consultation is closed. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share their experiences by presenting, sending in written and video contributions, or filling out the Committee's survey. The Committee will release its report and recommendations by April 28, 2022.
Terms of Reference
On April 13, 2021, 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:
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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 Committees appointed by order of the House on July 8, 2020 and December 9, 2020 be referred to the Special Committee.
That the Special Committee have all the powers of a Select Standing Committee and in addition be empowered to:
- 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;
- 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;
- conduct consultations by any means the Special Committee considers appropriate;
- adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and
- retain personnel as required to assist the Special Committee.
That the Special Committee report to the House by April 28, 2022; and that during a period of adjournment, the Special Committee deposit its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, or in the next following Session, as the case may be, the Chair present all reports to the House.
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