Skeena MLA Ellis Ross named to Legislature Committee to study systemic racism in BC Policing

It's another high profile posting for Skeena MLA Ellis Ross, who yesterday was named as one of nine Committee members from the BC Legislature, now tasked to explore the concerns over systemic racism and other issues of note when it comes to policing in British Columbia.

We first made note of the plans of the government in June, when Mike Farnworth the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General for the province outlined the plans of the NDP government to address concerns on policing that had been raised in recent months.

Towards that review, the bi-partisan committee of four NDP MLA's, four Liberal MLA's and one Green member will conduct their examination of the current situation and look to offer recommendations for improvement.

The focus for the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act will be to review the current Police Act, which is the current version of the guiding document for policing in the Province has been in effect since 1996.

The Committees work will be to make recommendations for potential upgrades to reflect the situations of today.

The Terms of Reference for the Committee highlight the  task ahead to examine and make recommendations to the Legislative Assembly in four areas of note:

Reforms related to independent oversight, transparency, governance, structure, service delivery, standards, funding, training and education, and any other considerations which may apply respecting the modernization and sustainability of policing under the Police Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 367) and all related agreements. 

The role of police with respect to complex social issues including mental health and wellness, addictions, and harm reduction; and in consideration of any appropriate changes to relevant sections of the Mental Health Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 288). 

The scope of systemic racism within British Columbia's police agencies, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, independent municipal police and designated policing units, and its impact on public safety and public trust in policing. 

Whether there are measures necessary to ensure a modernized Police Act is consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007), as required by section 3 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (S.B.C. 2019, c. 44).

Towards compiling their report, the Special Committee has been given additional powers towards their work, which include:

Appoint of their number, one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Committee

Sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House

Conduct consultations by any means the Committee considers appropriate; adjourn from place to place as may be convenient

Retain personnel as required to assist the Committee.

The Committee is expected to have a report delivered to the House by May 14th of next year or should the House adjourn, at the next following Session of the Legislature.

While the province does not have control over the policies of the RCMP which polices much of the province,  the committee will be including the RCMP in their recommendations

The overview set to provide for areas where the province can negotiate with Ottawa when it comes to reforms on policing in the province.

For the Skeena MLA, it's just one of three committees that he currently serves on. With Mr. Ross also a member of Select Standing Committee on Legislative Initiatives and the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth.

The committee formed yesterday, won't be the first time that the Skeena MLA has been part of an overview on policing,

In 2019, Mr. Ross was a member of the Special Committee for Review of the Police complaint process, that committee last published its notes on February 6th of last year.

You can track the work of the Special Committee on the Police Act as they move forward with their review of the Police Act from the archive page hosted by the Legislature of British Columbia.

For more notes related to the work of MLA Ross in Victoria see our archive page here.

More background on the Legislature Committee can be explored from our links from our D'Arcy McGee archive page.