Ottawa, ON – Jasraj Hallan, Conservative Shadow Minister for National Revenue; Warren Steinley, Conservative Caucus-Party Liaison; Kelly McCauley, Conservative Member of Parliament for Edmonton West; William Stevenson, Conservative Member of Parliament for Yellowhead; and Ted Falk, Conservative Member of Parliament for Provencher, issued the following statement following the RCMP Commissioner’s testimony on RCMP staffing shortages in the Standing Committee on Public Accounts:
“Conservatives will keep you safe by hiring the officers needed to protect your community, fixing broken bail and ensuring repeat offenders face real consequences.
“Today, the RCMP Commissioner confirmed that the Liberals misled Canadians and plans to hire only 750 new police officers despite repeatedly promising Canadians 1000.
“The Prime Minister, Justice Minister and Finance Minister promised 1000 new officers. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree repeated that promise 45 times in the House of Commons.
“Instead, Canadians are getting 250 fewer officers while the Liberals fall well short of their 1000 officers target.
“Between April 2023 and September 2025, the Auditor General’s report showed a net increase of only 62 officers. In the final six months of the audit period, departures outpaced hiring and the force shrank.
“The report also found that at least 3400 more officers were needed by September 2025 while the RCMP filled only 18 per cent of all cadet training classes to capacity.
“That means fewer officers to prevent crime, investigate offences and safeguard national security. The Auditor General warned that chronic shortages are increasing burnout and making it harder for the RCMP to do its job.
“The Canadian promise was simple. If you work hard and follow the rules, you can raise your family in a safe neighbourhood. After 11 years of Liberal government, that promise is broken.
“Since the Liberals took office, violent crime is up 57 per cent, gun crime is up 103 per cent, sexual assaults are up 74 per cent and extortion is up nearly 300 per cent.
“Meanwhile, Liberal soft-on-crime legislation such as Bill C-75, Bill C-5 and their so-called ‘Principle of Restraint’ have made it easier for repeat offenders to get easy bail and terrorize once-safe neighbourhoods. Not one failed Liberal crime policy has been repealed.
“Canadians deserve safe streets and a fully staffed police force. Mark Carney must resolve the RCMP staffing crisis, repeal reckless soft-on-crime measures, fix broken bail and ensure repeat offenders face real consequences.
“The Liberals are making you less safe. Conservatives will restore the promise of safe neighbourhoods for Canadian families and businesses.”