Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
The issue of service standards is something that has been raised regularly by labour representatives who have come here on behalf of the employees. The reality is that investigations take months, sometimes years. We need to have service standards that actually have some teeth, and ensure that there is a timely resolution to concerns that have been raised and complaints that are handled both by the RCMP and the agency.
What is suggested through this process in NDP-6 is essentially that:
The Commission, the RCMP and the Agency must deal with and resolve complaints made under this Act within a year after the day on which the complaint is made....
It also provides some scope:
within any longer period the Commission considers appropriate.
However, it does set a line in the sand in terms of what the service standards should be. This is something both for internal and external complaints. Obviously, it would make a difference. As we know, Mr. Chair, justice delayed is justice denied.
I move NDP-6 to put in place those minimum service standards. It still gives the commission the ability to prolong past that date, as needed.