Restore RCMP presence in Carmanville

AI summary

Petitioners ask the federal government to station RCMP officers in Carmanville, restore routine local patrols, address regional staffing through recruitment and retention, and use existing RCMP housing. The government responds it will work with province on resourcing.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the Government of Canada We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, draw the attention of the Government of Canada to the following: Whereas the RCMP station in Carmanville Newfoundland remains physically open but is currently unstaffed, with no RCMP officers based in the community, resulting in the absence of a local police presence, routine patrols, and immediate enforcement capability; since the station became unstaffed, crime in Carmanville has increased significantly, and the lack of on-the-ground policing has reduced deterrence and contributed to rising concerns related to theft, vandalism, break-ins, and general public disorder; with no officers stationed locally, policing coverage for Carmanville is now provided from the RCMP detachment in Gander, approximately 1.5 hours away, significantly limiting response times, particularly during emergencies or crimes in progress; and this situation is further compounded by an ongoing RCMP officer shortage across the region, and despite this shortage, three RCMP- owned private residences in Carmanville remain vacant, highlighting a disconnect between available housing infrastructure and deployed personnel, and underscoring broader recruitment and retention challenges affecting rural policing. Therefore, we, the undersigned residents and supporters, call upon the appropriate federal authorities to take immediate action to: 1. Assign RCMP officers to be permanently based in Carmanville; 2. Restore routine patrols and local enforcement capacity; 3. Address regional staffing shortages through improved recruitment and retention measures; and 4. Ensure that existing RCMP housing resources are fully utilized to support rural policing. And that this petition be acted upon without delay to restore public safety and confidence in law enforcement in Carmanville.

Government response

Response by the Minister of Public Safety Signed by The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, P.C., K.C., M.P. 1. Assign RCMP officers to be permanently based in Carmanville The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) continues to work closely with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to align funding and resource allocations with frontline policing needs across the province. This collaboration ensures services remain responsive, sustainable, and adapted to evolving operational demands. Carmanville is part of the Gander District, a large area served by seven detachments. Given limited personnel, resources are prioritized based on demand. Carmanville accounts for approximately 7% of calls for service, with a 28% decrease observed in 2025 compared to 2024. While community concerns remain valid, this informs a proportional approach to resource allocation to maximize overall public safety. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recently announced the funding of 25 new RCMP officers over 2 years. A portion of the allotment will be going to Gander District to assist with the operational pressures that come with covering 17,000 square miles. Across Newfoundland and Labrador, efforts have been made to reduce vacancy rates through initiatives such as pre-posting agreements, which allow employees with ties to the province to return home, as well as seeking support from other provinces to supplement local resources. Despite ongoing recruitment efforts, pre-posting agreements and interprovincial support, staffing rural communities remains a challenge. The RCMP will continue efforts to staff Carmanville, while interim service will be supported by neighbouring detachments with dedicated patrol capacity. 2. Restore routine patrols and local enforcement capacity The RCMP remains committed to providing effective and responsive policing services to the residents of Carmanville. Currently, services are delivered through the Gander Detachment, with routine and proactive patrols conducted as operational capacity permits. Public safety remains the RCMP’s top priority. Resources are deployed to achieve the greatest overall impact across the province, where the RCMP serves over 650 communities from 42 detachments, covering approximately 80% of Newfoundland and Labrador’s geography. The RCMP will continue to monitor service demands, assess resource allocation, and identify opportunities to enhance service delivery in Carmanville. 3. Address regional staffing shortages through improved recruitment and retention measures The RCMP undertook a comprehensive review of the recruitment process and is implementing near-term, high-impact improvements while advancing longer-term changes to enhance efficiency, adaptability, and overall effectiveness. Like many policing organizations, the RCMP continues to face recruitment pressures, including processing delays and challenges in maintaining staffing levels in certain locations. Recruitment is driven by workforce planning, attrition, and requirements identified by contract partners, alongside federal policing needs. The RCMP has published a National Recruitment Strategy and Action Plan. The strategy identifies the key priorities and areas of activity for the next three years, including: Transform processing—implement changes and modernize technology to reduce the time to process applicants and troop them to the RCMP Training Academy at Depot. Hire the right people—define and target who the RCMP needs to hire to meet the needs of Contract and Federal Policing and develop a comprehensive approach to workforce planning. Align efforts—introduce a coordinated, organization-wide approach to recruitment, staffing, and training that meets the needs of the entire workforce. The RCMP remains committed to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of its recruitment processes, with the goal of reducing processing timelines and strengthening overall staffing capacity. 4. Ensure that existing RCMP housing resources are fully utilized to support rural policing The three RCMP-owned houses in Carmanville are intended to support members posted to the community. The RCMP continues to maintain them and they are available for that purpose. While no members are currently stationed there full-time, these units will support future postings and can be used by patrols in the interim. The RCMP takes its responsibilities seriously and will continue to assess opportunities to strengthen service delivery as resources and operational priorities permit. We also acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of the Member of Parliament in advocating on behalf of constituents and recognize our shared interest in supporting strong, safe, and resilient communities. RCMP Newfoundland and Labrador leadership will engage Carmanville community leaders in the coming weeks to discuss interim service delivery arrangements.