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Brent Cotter appointed interim CRCC chairperson; will the systemic investigation of the RCMP C-IRG be released soon?

By
Brent Patterson
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Photo: Brent Cotter.

On April 13, a Public Safety Canada news release noted: “Today, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, announced that the Honourable Brent Cotter has been appointed as the interim Chairperson of the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) for a term of six months effective April 15, 2026.”

It adds: “Roxanne M. Gagné has been appointed the Vice-Chairperson for a term of five years, effective April 20, 2026.”

The Toronto Star also notes: “Cotter, a former dean of the University of Saskatchewan’s law school, was a senator from 2020 to 2024, when he reached the upper chamber’s mandatory retirement age. …Gagné has served as director of Manitoba’s Independent Investigations Unit, a civilian oversight agency that probes incidents involving police and members of the public.”

One week ago, CBC News reported: “In March 2023, CRCC announced it would undertake a systemic investigation into the governance, structure and practices of the [Royal Canadian Mounted Police Community-Industry Response Group/ RCMP C-IRG] unit. [That report] is finished but can’t be finalized because the RCMP’s oversight body has been without a chairperson for more than a year.”

Peace Brigades International-Canada has been following the CRCC investigation of the C-IRG, now renamed the Critical Response Unit-British Columbia/ CRU-BC, for the past three years. Today we asked the CRCC if with these appointments the investigation into the C-IRG could be released within the six month term of the new CRCC chairperson (before October 15, 2026).

Further reading: CRCC systemic investigation into the RCMP C-IRG now completed, but unreleased due to “absence of a decision-maker” (March 19, 2026).

PBI-Honduras accompanies National Union of Rural Workers (CNTC) at preliminary court hearing for ‘7 de Febrero’ campesina families

By
Brent Patterson
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The Peace Brigades International-Honduras Project has posted on social media:

“On April 10, PBI Honduras attended the preliminary hearing in Comayagua for 15 people facing criminal charges of trespass, with legal representation provided by Justice for the People Law Firm.

This hearing took place following the eviction of peasant families from the ‘7 de Febrero’ community, a member of the National Union of Rural Workers (CNTC), an organization that PBI has been accompanying since 2018.

At PBI, we express our concern for the safety and well-being of the communities affected by this process, who have reported the destruction of crops and homes.

#humanrights #agrarianreform #eviction #justice #cntc”

On April 9, the day of the police and military raid, the CNTC demanded “the immediate release of the 17 detained farmworkers and the cessation of the criminalization of the struggle for the land.”

On April 10, the CNTC posted: “Their release under alternative precautionary measures is the direct result of that collective strength.”

The CNTC further highlighted: “We are grateful for the valuable technical and legal assistance provided by the Justicia para los Pueblos law firm, alongside the support of Peace Brigades International (PBI), ensuring that the world’s attention was drawn to this outrage.”

Photo: “A special thanks from our peasant organization.”

The CNTC is affiliated with the Unified Confederation of Honduran Workers (CUTH) which in turn is affiliated with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), along with 150+ labour organizations including the Canadian Labour Congress.

We continue to follow this.

Further reading

–PBI-Honduras accompanied National Union of Rural Workers (CNTC) denounces use of Black Mamba armoured vehicles in eviction of community (April 10, 2026)

–PBI-Honduras accompanies the National Union of Rural Workers (CNTC) as they win the release of 17 detained farmworkers (April 11, 2026).

Espacio OSC and Consorcio Oaxaca launch “Proteger La Dignidad” campaign in Oaxaca with call to strengthen Protection Mechanism

By
Brent Patterson
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Photo of Elizabeth Mosqueda and panel by Espacio OSC.

El Imparcial de Oaxaca reports: “On Thursday 9 April 2026, at the Oaxaca Institute of Graphic Arts, the #ProtegerLaDignidad [Protect Dignity] campaign was launched, an initiative that aims to raise awareness of the work carried out by human rights defenders and journalists, as well as the systemic risks they face.”

The event was organized by Consorcio Oaxaca and the Space of Civil Society Organizations for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists (Espacio OSC), with the support of the Embassy of France in Mexico, the German cooperation agency Bread for the World, and the Institute of Graphic Arts of Oaxaca.

In their article, Espacio OSC notes: “During the inauguration, Elizabeth Mosqueda, co-director of Consorcio Oaxaca, stressed that Oaxaca is the second entity in the country with the highest number of people incorporated into the Federal Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists, which shows the high level of risk faced by those who defend rights in the state.”

That article also highlights: “Mario Cardozo, representing Espacio OSC, presented the approach of the campaign and its main tools, including posters, audio capsules, recommendations and an interactive map on regulatory frameworks for protection. He pointed out that the campaign seeks to place defenders and journalists at the center – and not only the risks they face – promoting a comprehensive vision based on recognition, well-being and the full exercise of rights.”

Photo of Mario Cardozo by Casa de la Cultura Oaxaqueña.

A short video-clip from the public forum can be seen here.

The #ProtegerLaDignidad website can be found here.

PBI supports the strengthening of the Protection Mechanism

Peace Brigades International accompanies Espacio OSC whose member groups include Consorcio Oaxaca and the Zeferino Ladrillero Human Rights Center (CDHZL).

In September 2025, just after Canadian prime minister Mark Carney visited Mexico, Elizabeth Mosqueda from Consorcio Oaxaca and Hugo Arreola from CDHZL travelled to Ottawa accompanied by Manuel Jabonero from PBI-Mexico for meetings with Members of Parliament, Global Affairs Canada, civil society allies and others to amplify the call to strengthen the Protection Mechanism.

Photo: Photo-journal of PBI-Mexico accompanied Espacio OSC advocacy tour in Canada on Protection Mechanism.

Then on February 13, 2026, Elizabeth, Hugo and Mario Cardozo from Espacio OSC participated in a webinar co-organized with PBI that further spoke about the need to strengthen the Protection Mechanism.

Photo: PBI-Canada co-organizes webinar with PBI-Mexico and Espacio OSC on Protection Mechanism in Mexico.

On February 24, 2026, PBI-Canada met with Elizabeth, Hugo, Mario, Manuel and other members of Espacio OSC in Mexico City to discuss ways to continue to involve Canada in the call to strengthen the Protection Mechanism.

Photo: Photo-journal of PBI-Canada visit with PBI projects and accompanied defenders in Mexico and Honduras.

Then on February 27, 2026, PBI-Canada and PBI-Mexico conveyed the same message in a meeting with Melissa Cardinal and Davina Basse at the Embassy of Canada in Mexico City just after the Team Canada Trade Mission to Mexico.

Photo: PBI-Canada and PBI-Mexico meet with the Embassy of Canada in Mexico to highlight the need to strengthen the Protection Mechanism.

And most recently on March 27, 2026, we met on this issue with representatives from the Mexico and Trilateral Affairs Division of Global Affairs Canada, as well as the Human Rights and Freedoms Division, and the Embassy of Canada in Mexico.

Photo: PBI-Canada highlights the need to strengthen the Protection Mechanism in Mexico at APG-organized call with Global Affairs Canada.

The upcoming Canada-Mexico Dialogue in May 2026

We look forward to continuing to provide input for the upcoming Canada-Mexico Dialogue on Human Rights and Multilateral Affairs expected to take place in late-May in Ottawa. The thematic issues to be discussed include freedom of expression, media freedom and rights in the digital space, the theme under which the Protection Mechanism is expected to be discussed by the two countries.

We are now planning a second webinar in advance of the Canada-Mexico Dialogue on Human Rights and Multilateral Affairs.

We continue to follow this.

Additional reading

–338 attacks in 2025: the most violent year for women journalists in Mexico (Somoselmedio, April 10, 2026)

– Journalists in danger: violence, impunity and protection mechanism (Sinembargo.mx, April 11, 2026).

PBI-Honduras accompanies the National Union of Rural Workers (CNTC) as they win the release of 17 detained farmworkers

By
Brent Patterson
-

On April 9, the National Union of Rural Workers (CNTC) posted on social media their denouncement of “the brutal and unmeasurable violent eviction carried out this day against the peasant families of the Peasant Group ‘7 de February’, affiliated with the regional CNTC, La Paz” and “the arrest of 17 companions, among them are 4 older adults, 3 women and 2 minors, whose only ‘crime’ is to defend the constitutional right to food and land.”

The CNTC demanded “the immediate release of the 17 detained farmworkers and the cessation of the criminalization of the struggle for the land.”

Today, April 10, the CNTC posted: “Their release under alternative precautionary measures is the direct result of that collective strength.”

The CNTC adds in that post: “We are grateful for the valuable technical and legal assistance provided by the Justicia para los Pueblos law firm, alongside the support of Peace Brigades International (PBI), ensuring that the world’s attention was drawn to this outrage.”

Accompaniment

On March 3, 2026, PBI-Honduras, PBI-Canada coordinator Brent Patterson met with Franklin Almendares, General Secretary, and Rosa Santamaría, member of the National Board of Directors, of the CNTC at their office in Tegucigalpa.

The CNTC is affiliated with the Unified Confederation of Honduran Workers (CUTH) which in turn is affiliated with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), along with 150+ labour organizations including the Canadian Labour Congress.

Peace Brigades International has accompanied the CNTC since May 2018.

Further reading: PBI-Honduras accompanied National Union of Rural Workers (CNTC) denounces use of Black Mamba armoured vehicles in eviction of community (PBI-Canada article, April 10, 2026).

PBI-Honduras accompanied National Union of Rural Workers (CNTC) denounces use of Black Mamba armoured vehicles in eviction of community

By
Brent Patterson
-

Photo: The CNTC condemns the use of ‘Black Mamba’ armoured vehicles against campesina community. Photo from CNTC Facebook page.

The Peace Brigades International-Honduras Project has posted on social media:

“We at PBI Honduras wish to express our concern regarding the information received this morning about the eviction of peasant families from the ‘7 de Febrero’ group, a member of the CNTC [National Union Rural Workers] Tegucigalpa, an organization that PBI has been accompanying since 2018. We express our concern for the physical integrity and safety of the cooperative’s members, given the information received regarding the destruction of property and homes, as well as the detention of minors. We reiterate the importance of respecting Honduran legislation on evictions, as well as international human rights standards, and we stress the need to guarantee the right to access to land and the safety and integrity of the communities affected during this process.”

The statement from the CNTC to the people of Honduras and the international community further notes:

“With deep indignation, we denounce the brutal and excessive violent eviction carried out today against the peasant families of the ‘7 de Febrero’ Peasant Group, affiliated with the CNTC regional branch in La Paz, located in the village of San Nicolás, municipality of La Villa de San Antonio, Comayagua.

The eviction was carried out by surprise, without a word of warning or respect for legal protocols, ignoring the fact that these families have been peacefully occupying and working the land since 2018.”

Among their demands: “We demand that the Government of the Republic order the immediate withdrawal of police and military forces from the area.”

Black Mamba armoured combat vehicles

The CNTC statement also notes: “We condemn the excessive military and police deployment, including the use of ‘Black Mamba’ armoured combat vehicles, which were used against humble families, treating them as if they were ‘terrorists’ or highly dangerous criminals.”

In February 2024, the Rio Times reported: “Honduras recently added two Black Mamba APC Sandcat armoured vehicles to its National Police. These form the first part of a fleet of ten… The Black Mambas are a joint effort by Mexican companies TPS Armoring and Epel Tácticos. They are based on the Israeli Sandcat and come in three versions for different needs. … These vehicles, adapted from an Israeli design, signify how global technology can be tailored to local needs.”

But ContraCorriente has reported in greater detail: “In 2023, a delegation of senior commanders of the Honduran National Police traveled to Israel to finalize the acquisition of technological security equipment, including 15 Black Mamba Sandcat armored vehicles for use in high-impact operations. According to official documents, this will cost the State of Honduras almost 200 million lempiras. This model of vehicle has been singled out by organizations in Mexico for participating in operations in which human rights abuses have been committed, and in the United States for its participation in the war in Gaza and attacks committed against civilians.”

It then notes: “[Security Minister Gustavo] Sánchez also did not specify where they were purchased; however, Israel’s ambassador to Honduras announced that he had been part of a collaboration with his government.”

And it explains: “The Mexican companies Transportadora de Protección y Seguridad (TPS Armoring) and Epel Tácticos obtained the license [from the U.S.-based company Oshkosh] to manufacture versions of the security equipment in their territory, including the Black Mamba Sandcat model, and it was precisely the company TPS Armoring that sold the equipment to Honduras.”

ContraCorriente highlights: “Israel has been one of Honduras’ most important partners for the purchase of security equipment. Data from the School of the Americas Watch indicate that between 2013 and 2019 alone, during the governments of Juan Orlando Hernández, Honduras bought around 342.8 million dollars (about 8,344 million lempiras) from Israel in war equipment and espionage.”

Accompaniment

Today, the CNTC posted on Instagram:

“We are grateful for the valuable technical and legal intervention of the Justice for the People Bureau, together with the accompaniment of Peace Brigades International (PBI), ensuring that the world kept its eyes on this atrocity.
Let those who try to intimidate the peasant know that the fight for the land and the territory is legitimate and the CNTC is a single organized force that does not abandon its members.”

On March 3, 2026, PBI-Honduras, PBI-Canada coordinator Brent Patterson met with Franklin Almendares, General Secretary, and Rosa Santamaría, member of the National Board of Directors, of the CNTC at their office in Tegucigalpa.

PBI-Canada continues to highlight the role that military equipment and technology has in the repression of human rights defenders and communities. We are further highlighting the work of the Shut Down CANSEC campaign in advance of the CADSI-organized CANSEC arms show in Ottawa on May 27-28.

The CNTC is affiliated with the Unified Confederation of Honduran Workers (CUTH) which in turn is affiliated with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), along with 150+ labour organizations including the Canadian Labour Congress.

Peace Brigades International has accompanied the CNTC since May 2018.

“We never wanted to go to the police, because it was the police who were chasing us.” – #the defenders speak.

Additional reading: What support does Canada provide to the Honduran military and police? (PBI-Canada article, October 15, 2021).

PBI-Guatemala and PBI-Spanish State remember the life and work of Fermín Rodrigo

By
Brent Patterson
-

The Peace Brigades International-Guatemala Project has posted on social media: “We at PBI Guatemala wish to express our deep sadness at the passing of Fermin Rodrigo, a tireless comrade in his struggle and commitment to the defence of human rights. His brotherhood and solidarity with the Guatemalan people fill us with admiration and respect. Our deepest condolences, especially to his partner.”

PBI-Spanish State also posted:

“On March 30 our dear comrade Fermín Rodrigo passed on to another place. From Peace Brigades International, we have had the honour of having him as a comrade with his commitment until the very end. Wherever he is, we are sure he continues to fight for a more just world and defend everyone’s rights. A very big hug from our family to his, especially to his partner, Llum.

‘Staying on the ground, among other things, has the virtue of strengthening in us, and therefore in the societies we live in, this irrevocable character of the communal, of the common, that a person cannot develop freely and with dignity unless they are in interrelation with the community.’”

And PBI-Guatemala has posted: “Remembering our friend Fermin, one of those people who understood that living is taking sides. Thanks to Entrepueblos!”

Entrepueblos, a Spanish association that promotes solidarity cooperation with Latin America, notes: “It is hard to think that we will no longer see him at the many venues and groups where he was present and committed: at the Entrepueblos assemblies – of which he was member number 21 – at the Catalan Committee for Central America – which he helped to establish through Peace Brigades – at the USTEC [education union in Catalunya] and Entrepueblos Solidarity Stays in Primavera de Ixcán (Guatemala) or in so many other spaces representing the Catholic Action Workers’ Brotherhood, where he had been an active member for over 40 years… Or in the Pensioners’ Movement.”

Their article adds: “We have known him since his early days working in Christian base communities, within the revolutionary left, or in the most militant trade unionism, as a worker at Telefónica. It was through this social involvement that he became part of Entrepueblos from its inception and also participated in the 0.7% movement and so many other causes.”

It further notes: “Ever since he took part in the campaign to support the recognition of the Communities of People in Resistance in Guatemala in 1993, a piece of his heart remained anchored in that country and its indigenous communities. And that connected him to the work of Peace Brigades, which has been one of his most enduring and active commitments ever since. …From here, we wish to send a huge, loving embrace to Llum, to the comrades of the Peace Brigades, to his closest family and to all those who shared the journey with him. We stand with you in this difficult time, with all our love and keeping Fermín’s memory alive.”

To read the full post from Entrepueblos, please see: El recuerdo vivo de Fermín, compartir caminos. (Entrepueblos 01.04.2026).

And Olesa Radio in Spain has also posted on social media: “CONDOLENCES. From Olesa Radio, we regret the death of Fermín Rodrigo, who had been a talk show host at the Hotel Gori for many years and who contributed to the station whenever he was asked. Fermín also kept us up to date with the activities of the social organizations and movements he collaborated with and was an activist for, such as the Pensioners’ Tide and Peace Brigades International. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends. May you rest in peace, Fermín.”

From PBI-Canada, we extend our condolences solidarity to all who knew and had the privilege of working Fermin.

PBI-Mexico accompanies Cerezo Committee at rally at 24th meeting of Special Search Commission for Gabriel Alberto Cruz Sánchez and Edmundo Reyes Amaya

By
Brent Patterson
-

Video still from Comite Cerezo.

The Cerezo Committee in Mexico has posted on social media: “Rally at #Segob [Secretariat of the Interior] for the 24th meeting of the Special Search Commission for the case of #GabrielyEdmundo #Oaxaca.”

Edmundo Reyes Amaya and Gabriel Alberto Cruz Sánchez

The Cerezo Committee has previously explained: “On May 25, 2007, in the city of Oaxaca, Edmundo Reyes Amaya and Gabriel Alberto Cruz Sánchez, members of the Popular Democratic Revolutionary Party-Popular Revolutionary Army (PDR) were arrested and disappeared by various police and military groups.”

Supreme Court decision and formation of Special Search Commission

Proceso has reported: “On May 6, 2019, the Fourth District Court of Amparo in Criminal Matters in Mexico City issued a sentence that recognized ‘the serious violation of human rights’ against Popular Revolutionary Army members ‘by agents of the Mexican State’.” That decision was appealed by the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) and the Secretariat of National Defence (Sedena).

The Committee of Relatives of the Detained and Disappeared notes: “On August 10, 2022, the First Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation issued the ruling in favor of the victims, Gabriel Alberto Cruz Sánchez and Edmundo Reyes Amaya, detained and disappeared on May 25, 2007.”

A Special Search Commission was established on November 3, 2022. A first objective was to develop a comprehensive search plan.

The ongoing struggle

We have followed this since August 2022.

–PBI-Mexico accompanies Cerezo Committee at sit-in protest at Supreme Court (August 11, 2022)

–PBI-Mexico accompanies the Cerezo Committee at meeting of Special Search Commission on the forced disappearance of Cruz and Reyes (October 28, 2022)

–PBI-Mexico accompanies formation of International Solidarity Committee in disappearance of Edmundo Reyes and Gabriel Cruz (December 10, 2022)

–PBI-Mexico accompanies Cerezo Committee and families in the call to find Edmundo Reyes and Gabriel Cruz (April 6, 2024)

–PBI-Mexico accompanied relatives of Edmundo Reyes and Gabriel Cruz demand progress at 12th meeting of search commission in Mexico City (July 7, 2024)

–PBI-Mexico accompanies reconnaissance activities in Oaxaca in the continuing search for Edmundo Reyes Amaya and Gabriel Alberto Cruz Sánchez (July 20, 2024).

Accompaniment

Peace Brigades International began to accompany the Cerezo Committee in 2002.

PBI-Mexico advocacy coordinator Manuel Jabonero and PBI-Canada coordinator Brent Patterson met with Francisco Cerezo Contreras of the Cerezo Committee in Mexico City in February 2026.

USMCA panel: Canadian company used organized crime to violate the labour rights of mine workers in Mexico

By
Brent Patterson
-

Photo: On June 10, 2025, Canadian trade unionists rallied outside the offices of Vancouver mining corporation Orla Mining, owner of the Camino Rojo mine.

La Jornada reports: “The Camino Rojo mining company, located in Zacatecas, used organized crime to threaten its workers, members of section 335 of the National Mining Union [Sindicato Nacional Minero], and violate their labour rights, in addition to seeking to get them to defect from this union, warns the investigation of the panel of the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) of the USMCA [United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement], which determined that the company is ‘directly responsible for employer interference’ in union activities.”

The article adds: “According to the preliminary resolution, the expert panelists documented evidence of acts of violence and death threats, in union assemblies and at their homes, against the workers of the union organization led by Napoleón Gómez Urrutia, holder of the collective bargaining agreement, to force them to join a ‘protection’ union of the National Federation of Independent Unions.”

ContraRéplica further reports: “The panel documented that the company had hired a drug trafficker to disrupt union meetings with armed individuals, issue death threats, and pressure employees to leave their organization and join a union affiliated with the company. [These and other actions] directly affected the exercise of freedom of association and collective bargaining.”

That article highlights: “The panel concluded that the company is directly responsible for these actions, in addition to pointing out that the Canadian parent company maintained a passive stance in the face of the complaints, without investigating or acting on labor violations.”

And it notes: “Specialists from the mining union indicated that the case sets a relevant precedent by recognizing that violence and threats can constitute a denial of labor rights, which could influence future controversies within the USMCA.”

In November 2024, the Toronto, Canada-based United Steelworkers union (USW) stated it had “filed a complaint under the Canada United States Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) on behalf of workers at a Canadian-owned mine in Mexico who have faced assaults and death threats after they joined an independent union. This complaint calls for an independent panel to investigate and address violations of workers’ rights at the Camino Rojo gold and silver mine in Zacatecas, Mexico, which is owned by Vancouver-based Orla Mining Ltd. The complaint, filed under CUSMA’s Rapid Response Labour Mechanism (RRM), cites the continuous and systematic denial of the workers’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining.”

We continue to follow this.

Further reading: PBI-Canada seeks strengthened protection for human rights defenders who advocate for labour rights, the right of association (March 12, 2026).

PBI-Canada to join CFSC and Quaker Roots on webinar about DSEI and CANSEC arms shows

By
Brent Patterson
-

The Canadian Friends Service Committee (CFSC) has posted on social media:

“Join us on April 16th at 3 pm Eastern time (8 pm in the UK) to hear from Pete Doubtfire from Quaker Roots in Britain. Pete will discuss successes and lessons learned during their activism against DSEI – Britain’s biggest arms fair.

Brent Patterson from Peace Brigades International Canada will also speak to organizing around Canada’s arms fair – CANSEC (May 27-28 in Ottawa) and Mel Burns from CFSC will discuss our plans for Friendly actions during CANSEC.”

You can register for this webinar here.

Webinar speakers: Pete Doubtfire, Brent Patterson, Mel Burns.

Additional reading

–PBI-Canada observes protests at the DSEI arms fair in London, hears concerns about violations of human rights (PBI-Canada, September 12, 2025)

–PRELIMINARY FINDINGS from Order Paper Question on the CANSEC arms show and human rights considerations (PBI-Canada, November 11, 2025)

–Country report: The export of “military goods” to Indonesia; attacks against human rights defenders (PBI-Canada, February 2, 2026).

VIDEO: “On 3rd September 2019, hundreds of Quakers from across the UK joined other faith groups in taking collective nonviolent action against the DSEI arms fair, one of the world’s biggest trade shows for the ‘defence’ industry.”

CBC News: “Watchdog’s report on controversial RCMP unit delayed due to lack of chairperson”

By
Brent Patterson
-

Photo: RCMP unit on Wet’suwet’en territory, November 2021. Photo by Michael Toledano.

CBC News reports: “A years-long investigation into a special RCMP [Royal Canadian Mounted Police] unit that polices protests against resource extraction in British Columbia is finished but can’t be finalized because the RCMP’s oversight body has been without a chairperson for more than a year.”

The article further notes: “The Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) … recently announced the completion of a systemic investigation into the Community-Industry Response Group (C-IRG), which drew national attention in 2019 when the unit launched a large-scale enforcement action against Wet’suwet’en-led opposition to the Coastal GasLink pipeline.”

The article quotes Meghan McDermott, policy director for the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, who says: “The longer it’s gone on, the more absurd it is. …To see month after month go by, and that there’s no announcements being made, is just devastating. It’s devastating from the perspective of police accountability, rule of law, just timely access to remedies.”

It also quotes Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), who said in an emailed statement: “The failure to finalize this investigation due to the absence of a federal appointment is reprehensible. …Delaying oversight only reinforces the need for decisive action, and Canada must act now to restore accountability and uphold its commitments to Indigenous Peoples.”

Peace Brigades International-Canada continue to follow this.

Further reading

–Watchdog’s report on controversial RCMP unit delayed due to lack of chairperson (CBC News, April 7, 2026)

–CRCC systemic investigation into the RCMP C-IRG now completed, but unreleased due to “absence of a decision-maker” (PBI-Canada article, March 19, 2026)

–PBI-Canada continues to monitor the pending FIDs for major projects, the implications for land and environmental defenders (PBI-Canada article, March 13, 2026).

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