PM @JustinTrudeau announces 24th RCMP Commissioner (& 1st female commissioner) Brenda Lucky.
Praises her commitment, efforts and devotion to the force & Canada.#canpoli #cangov #YQR #SK #Canada #news pic.twitter.com/DEXB9FDTtH— David Boles (@DavidJBoles) March 9, 2018
Political and law enforcement history was made in Regina on Friday morning.
At the RCMP Depot Division, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Brenda Lucki the 24th Commissioner of the RCMP and the first woman to be named to this position.
Trudeau said a move like this not only shows progress on all fronts, but it aligns with a key initiative in the most recent federal budget to create more opportunity for women in the workplace.
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“Our budget is focused on fairness and equity,” said the Prime Minister. “Not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s the smart thing to do.”
“We know when women have opportunities to succeed in organizations, in politics and in business, not only do we see better outcomes for them and their families, but we actually get better outcomes for those organizations and those businesses.”
Trudeau said the government embarked on a long and exhaustive search to find the perfect commissioner for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and for Canada. In the end, they just kept coming back to Lucki.
“Commissioner Lucki demonstrated, every step of the way, absolutely exceptional talents, insights, understanding and abilities,” said Trudeau. “And I’m very excited about being able to appoint the absolute best person for the job to be Commissioner for the RCMP, who just happens to be a woman.”
Lucki, a 31 year veteran of law enforcement, comes in at a rather shaky time, as questions surround the RCMP regarding past incidents of bullying, sexism and racial profiling.
She said she’s committed to the challenges of her new role and doing everything she can to improve the RCMP.
Lucky says it's together "we can build an RCMP reflective of our diverse population."@JustinTrudeau @RalphGoodale #RCMP #cangov #canpoli #YQR #SK #Canada #news
— David Boles (@DavidJBoles) March 9, 2018
“I plan to challenge assumptions, seek explanations and better understand the reasons how we operate,” she said. “This means that no stone will be left un-turned.”
“And if what we find works, then we carry on until we unearth the issues that need addressing.”