REGINA - Federal MP for Regina Wascana Michael Kram is the latest to seek answers on why Rhonda Blackmore was removed as commander of RCMP F Division.
Kram’s office issued a news release Monday calling on the federal government to look into the situation. Kram called on federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree to use his ministerial authority over the RCMP to provide answers about Blackmore’s sudden removal.
In that statement, Kram noted that Blackmore was “pulled from her post and publicly humiliated over what has only been described as ‘anonymous complaints.’ The RCMP and the federal Public Safety Minister have stonewalled any and all requests for further information.”
“It is unfair to the public and to Ms. Blackmore that this matter has been handled under such a cloak of secrecy. The manner in which this has been handled seems like something straight out of North Korea, not Canada. The public deserves to know answers or, at a minimum, that justice will be served through an unbiased, independent, external review of the unspecified allegations against Ms. Blackmore. It is unacceptable that the details of this matter continue to be swept under the carpet. It is high time that Minister Anandasangaree starts taking his portfolio seriously and use his legislative authority to give the RCMP direction on this issue.”
Kram pointed to the work Blackmore had done in her role as commanding officer.
“Ms. Blackmore has made tremendous contributions to policing in this province. She guided both the response to and the aftermath of the James Smith Cree Nation mass murders. She has spearheaded efforts to attract more First Nations individuals into policing and to help First Nations become more engaged in public safety,” Kram said in a statement.
“She has won extensive praise for her efforts. The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations has demanded her reinstatement. Even following her dismissal, the Prince Albert Grand Council and the Lac La Ronge First Nation honoured her with a star blanket ceremony. The provincial government has expressed strong support for her partnership with their policing efforts.”
Kram’s news release also pointed out that the removal came in the midst of the wildfire emergency in Saskatchewan.
Kram’s statement is just the latest from a number of prominent Saskatchewan leaders calling for answers on why Blackmore was removed from her post. In recent weeks there have been concerns expressed from the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations as well as the provincial government about the removal.
The FSIN called for reinstatement of Blackmore, with FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron having gone public expressing his concerns over the removal.
“We expect the Office of the Public Sector and Integrity Commissioner to conduct a nonpartisan investigation into public concerns of serious wrongdoing and misuse of the RCMP’s internal whistleblower policy in attempts by the National RCMP Leadership to silence Rhonda Blackmore,” Cameron said in a statement.
Provincial minister of Justice and Attorney General Tim McLeod has also voiced concerns about Blackmore’s removal. McLeod confirmed earlier this month that he sent a letter to the federal government requesting further information for why she was removed.
An online petition has also been set up to be sent to Prime Minister Mark Carney, expressing support for Blackmore.
Blackmore was removed as F division commanding officer in early June. She has since been moved to the role of assistant commissioner of Indigenous and support services by the RCMP.
