Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day says the government is committed to following through with the recommendations of a new probe into the RCMP pension and insurance fund scandal.
But Day maintains his position that a full-blown public inquiry is unnecessary and could take months or years, and cost millions of dollars that could be better used taking action now.
Government-appointed investigator and lawyer David Brown presented his findings on Friday, laying heavy blame on former commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli and saying trust in the RCMP is "horribly broken."
Among his recommendations, Brown said a task force made up of police and members of the private and public sector should be appointed to look into restoring trust and improving governance in the national police force.
Day said the government is still studying the report but is committed to following through with its recommendations.
"That was the intent, whatever the recommendations were. We want today to look at them seriously and suggest that we would act on them," Day told CTV's Question Period in an interview aired on Sunday.
"As Mr. Brown said, this is the seventh time now this whole issue has been looked at, and it's time to act. And we're looking at how we can best do that right now. We'll announce that very soon."
Day agreed with Brown's recommendation that a task force be appointed, but rejected opposition calls for a full public inquiry into the RCMP and the issues that led to the pension fund scandal. Day said such an inquiry would likely uncover very little new information.
He said a task force is a more realistic suggestion.
"As Mr. Brown said in his report, we know what went wrong. We know things have to be fixed. Here's a pathway to follow to have things fixed in a fairly short period of time, but enough time that we can get it done, and that's why I tend to agree with what he's saying."
Brown also recommended strengthening whistle-blower protection within the RCMP, so that those who come forward do not face reprisals such as possible job loss for doing so.
Day agreed steps are needed to improve accountability within the force and modernize the system of governance, while still embracing the focus and discipline that is necessary for a police force. He suggested a task force is the best way to come up with a plan to make that happen.
"I think it's possible with a task force as he's recommending. We're looking at that right now. We're going to make an announcement on it," Day said.
Public inquiry needed: NDP
NDP MP David Christopherson disagreed. He argued a public inquiry is necessary in order to disclose any further details potentially left untouched by the probe.
However, he said he is not surprised at Day's position, pointing out that the minister has been playing down the need for a public inquiry for months.
"They're putting the interests of the Conservative government ahead of those of Canada and those of the RCMP," Christopherson said during an appearance on Question Period.
"They have a hand-picked, controlled, managed system. This is the way they want to keep it. They're terrified of a public inquiry and what may come tumbling out and maybe awkward things they have to deal with and they just don't want to deal with that mess."
Ron Lewis, a retired RCMP staff sergeant and the whistleblower who triggered the probe, said Brown seems to have "gotten to the crux of the issue" and said he believes a task force is a good step towards fixing the problems.
"I think it's a good start. Whether they can get to the bottom of it, I don't know, but the time is right and the attitude is right."
Lewis said the RCMP, of which he was a member for 25 years, is in need of governance reform and civilian oversight.
"I believe it's time. Most other organizations have an oversight component and I believe the RCMP needs one too."
Day said the government will name a new full-time commissioner of the RCMP in the coming days or weeks.
