Position Statements

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) deeply respects the commitment of all officers who serve and protect Canadians, putting the safety and security of others ahead of their own. We aim to engage Justice and Public Safety officials and improve relationships, the level of communication and sharing of information between our organizations. The views of Canada's police chiefs is expressed through public position statements published on the CACP website and through parliamentary briefs submitted to House of Commons and Senate committees in oral and/or written form.

Position Statements

2026

• Canada's voluntary assault-style firearms compensation program (2026-01-26)

2025

• Canada’s police leaders endorse the introduction of Bill C-14: the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act (October 2025)
• Canada's police leaders welcome the announcement of new measures to combat violent crime and organized crime (October 2025)
• The CACP and the CPA support Bill C-12 but urge Parliament to continue, without delay, to advance Bill C-2 to address lawful access modernization with strong judicial safeguards (October 2025)
• Canada's Police Chiefs Welcome Bill C-9: Combatting Hate Act (October 2025)
• Canadian Police Leaders Call for Legislative Reform, Modern Tools, and Coordinated Action to Confront Globalized Crime (August 2025)
• Canada's Police Chiefs Welcome the Strong Borders Act (June 2025)
• The Chiefs of Police meet with the new Commissioner of Canada’s Fight Against Fentanyl (February 2025)

2024

• 2024 federal government Fall Economic Statement (December 2024)
• Decriminalization for simple possession of illicit drugs (November 2024)
• Coercive Control (September 2024)
• Protests and demonstrations in Canada (August 2024)
• British Columbia decision to make the consumption of illicit drugs illegal in public spaces (April 2024)
• Combatting Auto Theft (February 2024)

2023

• Bill C-21 - Firearms (December 2023)
• Bill C-48 - Bail Reform (December 2023)
• Israel (October 2023)
• Bail reform (July 2023)

2022

• Life without parole (May 2022).

Parliamentary Briefs

2025

• Bill C-11 - Military Justice System Modernization Act
  Written statement submitted to the House of Commons' Standing Committee on National Defence
  December 5, 2025 
  
  
• Bill C-12 - Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act
  Presentation to the House of Commons' Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
  Remarks by Chief Superintendent Patrick Morris (Co-chair of the Intelligence Committee)
  November 18, 2025
  
  
• Bill C-9 - Combatting Hate Act
  Written statement submitted to the House of Commons' Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
  Remarks by Sergeant Hans Dykman (member of the Law Amendments Committee)
  November 18, 2025

• Section 810 of the Criminal Code and Women's Safety
  Presentation to the House of Commons' Standing Committee on the Status of Women
  Remarks by Deputy Chief Jennifer Davis (Co-chair of the Crime Prevention, Community Safety and Well-Being Committee)
  November 17, 2025
  
  
• Bill C-9: Combatting Hate Act
  Presentation to the House of Commons' Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
  Remarks by Sergeant Hans Dykman (member of the Law Amendments Committee)
  November 6, 2025 (Note: The meeting was cancelled but the speaking notes were submitted to the committee.)
  
  
• Study of issues related to bail, sentencing and the handling of repeat violent offenders in Canada
  Presentation to the House of Commons' Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
  Remarks by Commissioner Thomas Carrique (President of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police)
  October 28, 2025

2024

• Study on Coercive Behaviour 
  Written submission to the House of Commons' Standing Committee on the Status of Women
  Prepared by Chief Francis Lanouette (Co-chair of the Crime Prevention, Community Safety and Well-being Committee)
  September 30, 2024 (Revised version submitted October 10, 2024)
  
  
• Bill S-256 - Canada Post Corporation Act (seizure)
  Presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
  Remarks by Deputy Director Rachel Huggins (Co-chair of the Drug Advisory Committee) and Inspector Michael Rowe (member of the Law Amendments Committee)
  September 26, 2024
  
  
• Bill C-69 - Part 4 on auto theft and supervised consumption sites
  Presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
  Remarks by Simon Authier LL. B. and Inspector Philip Heard (members of the Law Amendments Committee)
  May 30, 2024
  
  
• Bill S-249 - National strategy for the prevention of intimate partner violence (oral)
  Presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
  Remarks by Chief Francis Lanouette (Co-chair of the Crime Prevention, Community Safety and Well-being Committee)
  May 9, 2024
  
  
• Bill S-249 - National strategy for the prevention of intimate partner violence (written)
  Written submission to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
  Report prepared by Assistant Commissioner Trevor Daroux (co-chair of the Victims of Crime Committee) and Chief Francis Lanouette (co-chair of the Crime  Prevention, Community Safety and Well-being Committee)
  April 26, 2024
  
  
• Study of the opioid epidemic and toxic drug crisis in Canada
  Presentation to the House of Commons' Standing Committee on Health
  Remarks by Deputy Director Rachael Huggins (Co-chair of the Drug Advisory Committee)
  April 15, 2024

• Study of the growing problem of car thefts in Canada
  Presentation to the House of Commons' Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
  Remarks by Commissioner Thomas Carrique (Member of the CACP Board of Directors)
  February 29, 2024

2023

• Bill S-231 - The use of the DNA Act to identify criminals
  Presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
  Remarks by Superintendent Andrew Chan (Member of the CACP Law Amendments Committee) and Acting Detective Sergeant Stephen Smith (Toronto Police Service)
  November 23, 2023

• Bill S-231 - The use of the DNA Act to identify criminals
  Presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
  Written submission prepared by the CACP Law Amendments Committee
  November 23, 2023

• Bill C-21 - Firearms
  Presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs
  Remarks by Deputy Chief Bill Fordy, Co-chair of the Special Purpose Committee on Firearms
  November 20, 2023
  
  
• Virtual panel on a potential coercive control offence in the context of intimate relationships
  Presentation to the Department of Justice Canada
  Remarks by Chief Francis Lanouette, Co-chair of the CACP Crime Prevention, Community Safety and Well-Being Committee
  October 5, 2023

• Bill C-48 – An Act to amend the Criminal Code (Bail Reform)
  Presentation to the Standing Senate committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
  Remarks by Mr. Jason Fraser and Staff Superintendent Pauline Gray, members of the CACP Law Amendments Committee
  September 28, 2023

• Bill S-12 - An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Sex Offender Information Registration Act and the International Transfer of Offenders Act
  Presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
  Remarks by Chief Francis Lanouette, co-chair of the CACP's Crime Prevention, Community Safety and Well-Being Committee)
  June 14, 2023
   
• Bill C-47 - Section 509: Budget Implementation Act, 2023 related to the Canada Post Corporation Act
  Presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
  Remarks by Deputy Director Rachel Huggins, co-chair of the CACP's Drug Advisory Committee, and Inspector Michael Rowe, of the Vancouver Police Department
  May 17, 2023
   
• Bill S-212 - An Act to amend the Criminal Records Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to repeal a regulation
  Presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
  Remarks by Chief Francis Lanouette, co-chair of the CACP's Crime Prevention, Community Safety and Well-Being Committee, and Ms. Katrina Swan, K.C. (member of the CACP's Law Amendments Committee)
  March 9, 2023
   
• Bill S-231 - An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Criminal Records Act, the National Defence Act and the DNA Identification Act
  Written submission presented to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
  Remarks by the CACP's Law Amendments Committee
  February 3, 2023

2022

• Bill C-21 - Firearms
  Presentation to the House of Commons' Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
  Remarks by Chief Evan Bray, co-chair of the CACP's Special Purpose Committee on Firearms
  October 27, 2022
  
  
• Bill C-5 - An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  Presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
  Remarks by Deputy Director Rachel Huggins, co-chair of the CACP's Drug Advisory Committee, and Inspector Michael Rowe (member of the CACP's Law Amendments Committee)
  October 5, 2022
   
• Automated Sequestering of Criminal Records System
  June 30, 2022
   
• Bill C-21 - Firearms
  June 1, 2022

• Exemption of British Columbia to decriminalize possession of illegal drugs
  May 31, 2022
   
• Bill S-4 - An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Identification of Criminals Act
  Presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
  Remarks by Deputy Chief Constable Howard Chow, co-chair of the Law Amendments Committee, and Ms. Isabelle Massé, member of the Law Amendments Committee
  May 13, 2022
   
• Bill C-5 - An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  Presentation to the House of Commons' Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
  Remarks by Deputy Director Rachel Huggins, co-chair of the CACP's Drug Advisory Committee, and Inspector Michael Rowe (member of the CACP's Law Amendments Committee)
  May 6, 2022

• Study of the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (prostitution and human trafficking)
  Presentation to the House of Commons' Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
  Remarks by Superintendent Lisa Byrne, member of the CACP's Law Amendments Committee
  March 22, 2022
   
• Intimate partner and domestic violence
  Presentation to the House of Commons' Standing Committee on the Status of Women
  Remarks by: Chief Kimberley Greenwood, Co-chair of the CACP's Victims of Crime Committee, and Directeur Francis Lanouette, Co-chair of the CACP's Crime Prevention, Community Safety and Well-being Committee
  March 4, 2022
   
• Gun control, illegal arms trafficking, and gun crimes committed by members of street gangs
  Presentation to the House of Commons' Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
  Remarks by: Chief Evan Bray, Co-chair of the CACP's Special Purpose Committee on Firearms
  February 8, 2022

2021

• Bill C-247 - An Act to amend the Criminal Code (controlling or coercive conduct) 
  Presentation to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
  Remarks by: Chief Francis Lanouette, Co-chair of the CACP's Crime Prevention, Community Safety and Well-being Committee, and Chief Kimberley Greenwood, Vice-President of the CACP
  February 18, 2021

2020

• Systemic racism
  Presentation to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
  Remarks by: Chief Bryan Larkin, member of the CACP Board of Directors
  August 14, 2020

2019

• Bill C-75 - An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and other Acts and to make consequential amendments to other Acts
  Presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
  Remarks by: Inspector Dale Weidman, Vancouver Police Department & Ms. Rachel Huntsman, QC, legal counseil with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
  May 2, 2019

• Bill C-71 - Firearms 
  Presentation to the Senate Standing Committee on National Security and Defence
  Remarks by: Chief Constable Adam Palmer (President, CACP) and Chief Evan Bray (Co-Chair, CACP Special Purpose Committee on Firearms)
  April 1, 2019

2018

• National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls 
  December 2018

• Bill C-75 - Justice Reform
  Presentation to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
  Remarks by: Deputy Chief Constable Howard Chow (Co-Chair, CACP Law Amendments Committee) & Ms. Rachel Huntsman, QC, legal counsel with Royal Newfoundland Constabulary)
  September 24, 2018

• Bill C-71 - Firearms 
  Presentation to theStanding Committee on Public Safety and National Security
  Remarks by: Directeur Mario Harel, President of the CACP, and Superintendent Gord Sneddon (CACP Firearms Advisor, Toronto Police Service)
  May 29, 2018

• Bill C-45 - The Cannabis Act 
  Presentation to the Stnading Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
  Remarks by: Deputy Chief Mike Serr, Co-chair of the CACP's Drug Advisory Committee)
  April 30, 2018

• Bill C-45 - The Cannabis Act 
  Presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
  Remarks by: Directeur Mario Harel, President of the CACP, and Deputy Chief Mike Serr, Co-chair of the CACP's Drug Advisory Committee
  March 29, 2018

• Bill C-46 - Impaired Driving 
  Presentation to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
  Remarks by:  Directeur Mario Harel, President of the CACP,  Chief Superintendent Charles Cox (Co-chair of the CACP's Traffic Safety Committee, and Ms. Lara Malashenko, member of the CACP's Law Amendments Committee)
  February 15, 2018

2017

• Bill C-46 - Impaired Driving 
  Presentation to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
  Remarks by:  Directeur Mario Harel, President of the CACP), Superintendent Charles Cox (Chair of the CACP's Traffic Safety Committee, Superintendent Gord Jones (Past Chair of the CACP's Traffic Safety Committee), and Ms. Lara Malashenko, member of the CACP's Law Amendments Committee
  September 20, 2017
   
• Bill C-45 - The Cannabis Act 
  Presentation to the Standing Committee on Health
  Remarks by:  Deputy Chief Mike Serr, Chair of the CACP's Drug Advisory Committee, Deputy Chief Thomas Carrique, Co-Chair of the CACP's Organized Crime Committee,  and Ms. Lara Malashenko, Member of the CACP's Law Amendments Committee
  September 12, 2017
   
• Bill C-37 - An Act to Amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to make related amendments to other Acts
  Presentation to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
  Remarks by: Directeur Mario Harel, President of the CACP) and Superintendent Paul Johnston, Co-chair of the CACP's Drug Advisory Committee
  April 6, 2017

• Bill S-231 - Protection of Journalistic Sources
  Presentation to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
  Remarks by Rachel Huntsman and Supterintendent Kevan Stuart, members of the CACP's Law Amendments Committee
  March 1, 2017

2016

• Bill S-230 - An Act to amend the Criminal Code (drug-impaired driving)
  Presentation to the Sendate Standing Committee on Legal and Constiutional Affairs
  Remarks by Superintendent Gord Jones, Chair of the CACP's Traffic Safety Committee
  Decemeber 1, 2016

• Study on Violence Against Young Girls and Women
  Presentation to the House of Commons' Standing Committee on the Status of Women
  Remarks by Chief Superintendent Jeff Adam
  October 5, 2016 

• Bill S-217 - Detention in Custody
  Presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
  Remarks by Detective Superintendent Dave Truax, CACP Law Amendments Committee
  June 16, 2016

• Fentanyl Public Health Crisis / Fentanyl Pre-Cursor Cheimicals
  Presented to the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
  Deputy Chief Trevor Daroux
  May 26, 2016 

• Operational Stress Injuries and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Public Safety Officers and First Responders
  Presentation to the House of Commons' Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
  Remarks by Mr. Steve Schnitzer, Chair of the CACP's Human Resources and Learning Committee
  May 12, 2016 

• Operational Stress Injuries and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Public Safety Officers and First Responders
  Presentation to the House of Commons' Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
  Remarks by Chief Jennifer Evans, member of the CACP's Human Resources and Learning Committee
  May 12, 2016

• Study on Matters Pertaining to Delays in Canadas Criminal Justice System 
  Presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
  Remarks by Assistant Commissioner Joe Oliver, CACP Law Amendments Committee
  February 25, 2016 

2015

• Bill S-208 - Establishment of a Canadian Commission on Mental Health and Justice
  Presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
  Remarks by Dr. Terry Coleman, CACP Human Resources and Learning Committee
  March 2015

• Bill C-51 - Anti-Terrorism Act, 2015
  Presentation to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
  Remarks by Deputy Commissioner Scott Tod, Chair of the CACP's Counter-terrorism and National Security Committee
  March 24, 2015

2014

• Bill C-13 - Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act (Cyberbullying)
  Presentation to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
  Remarks by Chief Constable Jim Chu, Past President of the CACP
  November 6, 2014

• Bill C-2 - An Act to Amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act 
  Presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Public Safety and National Security 
  Remarks by Chief Bryan Larkin, Member of the CACP Drug Advisory Committee
  October 29, 2014

• Bill C-32- Victims Bill of Rights Act - An Act to enact the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights and to amend certain Acts
  Presentation to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
  Remarks by Chief Paul Smith, Vice-President of the CACP, and Deputy Chief Jill Skinner, Member of the CACP's Victims of Crime Committee
  October 28, 2014

2012

• Proposed Firearms Information Regulations (Non-Restricted Firearms) changes to subsection 118(3) of the Firearms Act (S.C. 1995, c. 39)
  Presentation to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
  Remarks by Chief Mario Harel, Vice-President of the CACP
  June 20, 2012
   
• Bill C-19 - An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act
  Presentation to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
  Remarks by Chief Mario Harel, Vice-President of the CACP
  March 28, 2012
   
• Study on Social Inclusion and Cohesion in Canada
  Presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
  Remarks by Chief Dale McFee, President of the CACP
  March 8, 2012
   
• Bill C-10 - The Safe Streets and Community Act Part IV - Youth Criminal Justice Act
  Presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
  Remarks by Deputy Chief Christopher J. McNeil, Member of the CACP's Law Amendments Committee
  February 22, 2012
   
• Bill C-10 - Safe Streets and Communities Act - Part II - Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  Presentation to the Standing Senate Commitee on Public Safety and National Security
  Remarks by Chief Barry MacKnight, Chair of the CACP's Drug Advisory Committee
  February 15, 2012
   
• Bill C-26 - An Act to amend the Criminal Code (citizen's arrest and the defences of property and persons)
  Presentation to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
  Remarks by Acting Superintendent Greg Preston, Edmonton Police Service
  February 14, 2012

2011

• Bill C-19 - An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act
  Presentation to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
  Remarks by Chief Mario Harel, Vice-President of the CACP, and Chief Matt Torigian, President of the CACP
  November 17, 2011

• Bill C-10 - The Safe Streets and Community Act - Part II - Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  Presentation to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
  Remarks by Chief Barry MacKnight, Chair of the CACP's Drug Advisory Committee
  October 20, 2011

• Bill C-10 - The Safe Streets and Community Act
  Presentation to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
  Remarks by Chief Dale McFee, President of the CACP
  October 20, 2011