On April 10, 2019, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said the RCMP must do a better job responding to Access to Information Requests. I found Goodale’s comments amusing, as I’ve been waiting over 8 months for the RCMP to respond to one of my requests.

I filed my original ATIP for the RCMP policy on storing RCMP-issue firearms in unattended vehicles on August 20, 2018. Two days later the RCMP’s ATIP department acknowledged my request.

That was the last I heard from them.

I was curious about the RCMP’s policy after researching how Sgt. Christopher McCuen’s service pistol was stolen from his unattended RCMP vehicle, then used by the thief to shoot and almost kill then-16-year-old Calli Vanderaa.

On March 15, 2019, after seven months with no response from the RCMP, I filed a complaint with the Information Commissioner.

I emailed Minister Ralph Goodale the same day, seeking his assistance to get the RCMP to respond to my ATIP request.

I must give Minister Goodale credit. It seems Goodale meant what he said and, at least in my case, put his money where his mouth is.

On March 18, 2019, just three days after emailing the Minister, the RCMP sent me a copy of their policy, which I received on April 8.

I’ll address the contents of that policy shortly and how they affect several recent cases of stolen RCMP guns but, on first reading, it appears Sgt. Christopher McCuen did not store his service pistol in accordance with RCMP policy.

Details to come…