Clare’s Law to take effect without RCMP participation: Province

Clare’s Law is set to come into force in Saskatchewan, but one police service has indicated it won’t participate in the protocol.

On Monday, the provincial government issued a media release about the Interpersonal Violence Disclosure Protocol Act — also known as Clare’s Law — that is to take effect June 29.

Under Clare’s Law, individuals can go to their local municipal police station and ask for information about their intimate partner’s past violent or abusive behaviour.

The government noted all municipal police services in the province are to participate in the protocol, but the RCMP recently said it would not be taking part.

The province said it was “attempting to reach federal ministers to ask them to review this decision.”

In a letter attached to the media release, Saskatchewan Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan asked Bill Blair — the federal minister of public safety and emergency preparedness — to revisit the RCMP’s decision.

“We trust that you share our commitment to the protection of victims of interpersonal violence and that you will ask that this issue be immediately addressed,” wrote Morgan, who called the news “beyond disappointing.”

“Whether that requires adjustments to the Saskatchewan Protocol (none of which have been identified in the year and a half that the RCMP has participated with the ministry in the development of this program) or whether an adjustment at the federal level is required, this problem needs to be resolved.”

Morgan said the provincial government hadn’t been told why the RCMP made its decision other than what he called “reference to an undisclosed legal opinion.”

In a statement released late Monday, the RCMP said it helped plan the initiative from the beginning and remained supportive of it. However, the national police force had encountered a roadblock.

“Early on in the discussions and planning for the implementation of Clare’s Law, we identified to our partners that there may be some challenges with our participation because unlike municipal police services, the RCMP is subject to federal privacy legislation,” the statement said.

“The RCMP is continuing to look into the matter, and considering how best it can support Clare’s Law objectives within its obligations under the federal Privacy Act.”

The statement looked to reassure victims, noting the Mounties “prioritize all reports of domestic violence and ensure we place the victim’s safety at the forefront.”

The RCMP said it launched a Violence in Relationships course in October to train officers on the handling of domestic violence cases. The Mounties also said they’ll continue to work with other agencies and the government to look for ways to eradicate domestic violence.

“We remain committed to helping any individual with concerns on domestic violence through processes that have always existed for the RCMP,” the statement added.

“We are also implementing a process that will ensure anyone who comes forward with concerns and is then identified by the RCMP as being at risk is safe and has access to Victim’s Services and other resources to assist with their safety.”

Under the new protocol, information can be provided to people who believe they may be at risk from intimate partners (“right to ask”) or people who have been identified by police to be at risk (“right to know”).

The provincial government consulted Saskatchewan’s municipal police forces and the Provincial Association of Transition Houses to set up the necessary training for officers to handle applications under Clare’s Law.