Trudeau commits to pushing police body cameras with provinces

Jun 8 2020, 4:01 pm

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he is committed to discussing police body cameras with provinces this week.

Trudeau said he spoke to RCMP commissioner Brenda Lucki and said they discussed the adoption of body cameras.

“I am committing to raise this with provinces this week so we can move on it as quickly as possible,” said Trudeau.

The prime minister said he wants “concrete actions” to move forward on systemic discrimination and making real change in Canada.

“With the many disturbing reports of violence against Black Canadians and Indigenous people, we know that we need to do much more and we need to do it now,” he said, adding that his government is going for “real commitments as quickly as possible that address the root causes of these problems.”

Trudeau attended Ottawa’s anti-racism march on Friday afternoon, saying it was important for him to be part of the event and to be able to listen to people.

“I hear you and I see you,” he said, addressing anti-racism activists. “As you call out systemic discrimination and unconscious bias, as you call for action and as you call for it now.”

Additionally, Trudeau said that the reality is many people in Canada “don’t feel protected by the police. In fact, they’re afraid of them.”

“That alone would be bad enough. But systemic discrimination and racism in Canada goes much further than just policing,” he said.

He said that it goes further into poverty and mental health. He said that the social-economic factors and inequalities have resulted in some being treated like criminals instead of receiving the support they need.

Trudeau said that his government promises to address systemic racism and injustice.

He also said he is having conversations with Minister Bill Blair, who reaffirmed his commitment to improving Indigenous policing.

Daily Hive StaffDaily Hive Staff

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