The Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrest and charge two men with plotting to disrupt a Toronto area train service in a plot claimed to be backed by Al-Qaeda elements.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), known affectionately and informally as the "Mounties," is Canada's distinctive federal and national police service. Its official name in French, Gendarmerie royale du Canada (GRC), reflects its foundational role across the nation's two official languages. While primarily tasked with upholding federal laws throughout Canada, the RCMP's responsibilities extend far beyond, embodying a unique and comprehensive model of policing that touches almost every part of Canadian life.

Scope and Structure of Policing Services

The RCMP offers an extensive range of law enforcement services across the country. At the federal level, it maintains jurisdiction nationwide, ensuring the enforcement of federal statutes. However, its presence on the ground varies significantly at the provincial and territorial levels. Eight of Canada's ten provinces – specifically, all except Ontario and Quebec – contract the RCMP to provide their provincial policing services. This means that for a vast majority of the country's landmass, the Mounties serve as the front-line police force, operating under the direct guidance of provincial governments. Furthermore, the RCMP provides local policing on a contract basis in all three of Canada's territories: the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon. This contractual service also extends to over 150 municipalities, 600 Indigenous communities, and three major international airports, highlighting its deep integration into diverse Canadian communities.

It is crucial to note that while all RCMP members hold peace officer jurisdiction across every Canadian province and territory, they do not provide active provincial or municipal policing in Ontario or Quebec. These two most populous provinces maintain their own well-established provincial forces: the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Sûreté du Québec, respectively.

The Iconic 'Mounted' Legacy

Despite its enduring name, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is no longer a force primarily reliant on horses for day-to-day operations. The iconic image of the scarlet-clad Mountie on horseback is now largely reserved for ceremonial duties, parades, and public outreach events, serving as a powerful and beloved symbol of Canadian heritage and tradition.

Understanding Canada's Policing Framework

Canada's constitutional framework dictates a clear division of powers, where general law and order, including the enforcement of the Criminal Code and applicable provincial legislation, is primarily the responsibility of the provinces and territories. The RCMP, as the national police service, is tasked with federal law enforcement, which often involves complex, inter-provincial, or international investigations. Larger cities across the nation often choose to form their own independent municipal police departments to address local needs directly.

When Newfoundland joined the Canadian Confederation in 1949, the RCMP expanded its reach into the province, absorbing the existing Newfoundland Ranger Force, which had been responsible for policing most of Newfoundland's rural areas. Today, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary patrols the urban centers of the province, working alongside the RCMP in a collaborative policing model. In the territories, the RCMP stands as the sole territorial police force, underscoring its pivotal role in maintaining order in Canada's vast northern regions. This multi-tiered engagement means the RCMP operates at federal, provincial, and municipal levels, frequently serving as the only police presence in some of Canada's most remote and expansive regions.

The RCMP's Federal Mandate and Specialized Operations

Under its federal mandate, the RCMP is responsible for a broad spectrum of security and policing operations across all of Canada, including, albeit on a smaller scale for certain functions, in Ontario and Quebec. These critical federal operations encompass:

Front-Line Policing and National Support Services

Through its extensive network of provincial and municipal contracts, the RCMP provides indispensable front-line policing services in all areas outside of Ontario and Quebec that do not have their own established local police forces. This wide-ranging presence means you can find RCMP detachments in locations as varied as small, remote villages in the far north, distant First Nations reserves, and bustling rural towns. Furthermore, the RCMP also serves larger urban centers, such as Surrey, British Columbia, with a population exceeding 580,000, demonstrating its capacity to adapt to diverse community needs.

Within these contract policing areas, specialized support units conduct in-depth investigations not only for their own detachments but also in support of smaller municipal police forces. These investigations cover a comprehensive range of serious incidents, including major crimes, homicides, forensic identification, collision forensics, and the deployment of highly trained police dogs. Additionally, the RCMP maintains emergency response teams, explosives disposal units, and conducts undercover operations to combat complex criminal enterprises.

Beyond its direct policing duties, the RCMP, through its National Police Services branch, plays a crucial supportive role for all law enforcement agencies across Canada. This vital national infrastructure includes:

Case Study: The 2013 Via Rail Canada Terrorism Plot – A Testament to National Security

The 2013 Via Rail Canada terrorism plot stands as a stark reminder of the continuous threats to national security and the critical role the RCMP plays in counter-terrorism. This elaborate conspiracy aimed to commit terrorist acts within Canada, specifically targeting trains operated by Via Rail Canada, the national passenger railway service, with intentions of disruption, destruction, or derailment. Investigators later identified a railway bridge over the Twenty Mile Creek in Jordan, Ontario, as the intended target for these malicious acts, according to unsealed court documents.

On April 22, 2013, the RCMP successfully apprehended two suspects, Chiheb Esseghaier, a Tunisian national, and Raed Jaser, a Palestinian. Both men, who were permanent residents of Canada at the time of their arrests, were subsequently charged by the Crown in connection with the sophisticated plot. Notably, the Canadian government had previously sought Jaser's deportation for a second time following his conviction, though this attempt was later withdrawn after the Ontario Court of Appeal allowed for a new trial in August 2019.

The legal proceedings were extensive. On March 20, 2015, an Ontario Superior Court of Justice jury found both defendants guilty on all but one count of the charges, with the jury discharged from determining the extent of guilt on the remaining charge. Several months later, on September 23, 2015, Esseghaier and Jaser were each sentenced to life imprisonment for a combination of six terrorism-related offenses.

The case, however, continued through the appellate system. In August 2019, the Ontario Court of Appeal ordered a new trial for both men, citing issues related to juror selection in Jaser's specific case. This decision was then challenged. On October 7, 2020, the Supreme Court of Canada ultimately overturned the appellate court's verdict. While acknowledging the confirmed issues regarding juror selection, the Supreme Court concluded that the defendants' rights to a fair trial had not been harmed, thereby refusing a new trial. The complexities of this landmark case are still unfolding, as it has been sent back to the appellate court to hear the remaining issues concerning a new trial.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the primary role of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)?
The RCMP serves as Canada's federal and national police service, primarily responsible for enforcing federal laws throughout Canada. Additionally, it provides provincial policing services under contract in eight provinces and local policing under contract in the three territories and numerous municipalities and Indigenous communities.
Are the "Mounties" still mounted on horses for active duty?
No, despite their iconic image, horses are no longer used for the RCMP's active policing duties. They are primarily reserved for ceremonial events, parades, and public outreach, symbolizing the rich history and traditions of the force.
Where does the RCMP provide provincial policing services?
The RCMP provides provincial policing services under contract in eight of Canada's ten provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. It does not provide active provincial policing in Ontario or Quebec, which have their own provincial police forces.
Does the RCMP have jurisdiction in Ontario and Quebec?
Yes, all members of the RCMP have jurisdiction as peace officers across all provinces and territories of Canada. While they do not typically provide front-line provincial or municipal policing in Ontario and Quebec, they do conduct federal law enforcement operations, counter-terrorism, and protection services within these provinces.
What specialized services does the RCMP offer to other Canadian police forces?
Through its National Police Services branch, the RCMP provides critical support to all Canadian police forces. This includes access to the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC), criminal intelligence sharing via Criminal Intelligence Service Canada, specialized support from Forensic Science and Identification Services, administration of the Canadian Firearms Program, and advanced training at the Canadian Police College.
What was the significance of the 2013 Via Rail Canada terrorism plot?
The 2013 Via Rail Canada terrorism plot was a serious conspiracy to commit terrorist acts against Canada's national passenger railway service. It highlighted the ongoing threat of terrorism, the complexities of national security investigations, and the critical role of the RCMP in identifying, apprehending, and bringing to justice individuals involved in such plots. The subsequent legal proceedings, including appeals to the Supreme Court, underscored the intricacies of balancing national security with legal rights.