The National Police Federation, which represents 20,000 RCMP members, has expressed concern over the Liberal government's proposal to establish a dedicated Financial Crimes Agency (FCA). Rob Farrer, president of the union, testified before a parliamentary committee that the bill could undermine the RCMP by diverting resources and experienced investigators. He argued that with better funding and tools, the RCMP can handle financial crime investigations effectively without creating another organization.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-08,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Rob Farrer, president of the National Police Federation, representing around 20,000 RCMP officers, testified before a parliamentary committee studying Bill C-29. This bill aims to establish a new Financial Crimes Agency (FCA) in Canada to tackle financial crimes like money laundering and online fraud more effectively. Farrer expressed concerns that the proposed agency could undermine the already under-resourced RCMP by diverting its focus and resources away from financial crime investigations. He argued that with better funding, the RCMP can handle these tasks without needing a separate entity. The bill would create an FCA distinct from the RCMP, equipped with its own police officers capable of executing search warrants and making arrests.
Written for “RCMP Concerns Over Crime Agency” on 2026-10-08,
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Leaning: leans left for article 66636 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-10-08
RCMP union raises concerns Liberals' proposed financial crime agency will hurt Mounties
Committee studying Bill C-29 which would establish dedicated Financial Crimes Agency
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which → raise → Agency
The head of the union representing thousands of Mounties says he's worried the Liberal plan to create a new financial crime enforcement agency will hurt the already-strained RCMP.
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plan → represent → RCMP
Rob Farrer, president of the National Police Federation, testified Thursday before a parliamentary committee studying Bill C-29, which would establish a dedicated Financial Crimes Agency (FCA).
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The bill, introduced in the spring, is meant to address concerns that Canada falls short on investigating financial crimes including money laundering networks and online fraud, which historically have been investigated by the RCMP through its federal mandate.
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If passed, the new agency would be a separate, specialized police organization with its own mandate and commissioner.
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Farrer argued the RCMP could do that work if it had better resourcing.
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"What these teams need is sustained staffing, modern tools and specialized support," he told MPs.
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"We support stronger financial crime enforcement, but success must be measured by additional investigative capacity and better outcomes, and not simply the establishment of another organization."
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Union head says RCMP under-resourced
The union head, who represents some 20,000 Mounties, said one of his main concerns was that the proposed new agency would siphon off the national police force, which Farrer described as "absolutely" under-resourced.
The FCA is meant to be distinct from the RCMP, with its own police officers who would be able to execute search warrants and make arrests.
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However, the bill foresees Mounties being assigned to the new agency.
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The federal government has floated dedicating 150 RCMP personnel to tackle financial crimes.
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Experienced RCMP financial crime investigators cannot be replaced overnight," said Farrer.
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"Assigning them to the FCA without qualified replacements will disrupt investigations, increase workloads and deepen retention pressures."
Long-documented recruitment, retention issues
He added that getting someone to the level of expertise needed to investigate these kinds of crimes "takes a very long time to develop."
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The RCMP's recruitment and retention issues have long been documented.
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Earlier this year, the auditor general called out a worsening shortage of officers.
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The proposed new agency is also expected to be staffed by civilian investigators, criminal and financial intelligence personnel, asset recovery experts and specialized prosecutors.
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Liberals are pitching a brand new police agency for financial crimes.
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How would that work?
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Federal government plans to ban crypto ATMs to stop scammers from defrauding Canadians
Farrer raised concerns about who is ultimately accountable for RCMP officers who are assigned to the FCA.
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who → plan → FCA
"Who manages safety, performance, discipline and disclosure?" he asked.
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he → manage → safety
The union argued that any funding for the new agency should be new and not funding allocated to the RCMP.
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funding → argue → RCMP
It also urged Ottawa to make sure any Mounties assigned to it are backstopped by funded and qualified replacements and with a transition plan "that protects ongoing investigations."
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that → urge → investigations
The Aporia
