The RCMP will keep deepening ties with the FBI as critics warn of dependence

An RCMP spokeswoman said closer work with U.S. agencies has improved threat detection and information sharing and led to high-profile arrests.

We have to imagine a world where the Americans, and specifically the FBI, may be less reliable partners.

— Kent Roach, University of Toronto law professor

In his new book, Red Alert, Roach argues the Mounties have grown too dependent on FBI tips; the RCMP says it keeps full independence and rejects the suggestion it was bailed out.

Joint RCMP-FBI cases this year

• Ryan Wedding arrested in Mexico, January
• Charges against 37 people, July
• US$1-million reward, September
• Arrest in Washington State, Oct 6

This year the two forces announced former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding's arrest in Mexico in January, U.S. charges against 37 alleged gang members in July and a US$1-million reward in late September.

Why it matters

Roach says Canada needs a radically reformed national police force that can bring complex cases before its own courts, and a 2023 report from a committee of parliamentarians raised the idea of a new force.