Minister Van Loan Announces Further Action to Help Modernize the RCMP

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Mar 24 (MARKET WIRE) --
The Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety, today announced
a one-year extension to the term of the RCMP Reform Implementation
Council, as part of the Government's ongoing efforts to reform and
strengthen the RCMP.

"The Government of Canada is working to ensure that Canadians continue to
have confidence in their national police force," said Minister Van Loan.
"The work of the RCMP Reform Implementation Council is an integral part
of those efforts and I have been very pleased with their work to date.
For this reason, I am pleased to announce that the Council's term has
been extended for an additional year."

The Council's term now expires on March 18, 2010, which provides the
Council with the time necessary to follow-through on its already
extensive work with the RCMP. The support and advice of the Council will
continue to play a vital role in implementing the reforms necessary to
ensure that Canada's national police force is a more modern and
accountable organization. The Council is expected to provide two
additional reports in September 2009 and March 2010.

The RCMP Reform Implementation Council was established to provide
external advice to the Minister of Public Safety and the Commissioner of
the RCMP and submit progress reports to the Minister.

The Council consists of five members whose expertise and backgrounds
reflect a range of valued areas, including: policing issues, public and
private sector management, governance and change management. The members,
who have been re-appointed for a one-year term, are:

- Mr. David McAusland, as Chair;

- Mr. Jean-Claude Bouchard;

- Ms. Beverley A. Busson;

- Ms. Jocelyne Cote-O'Hara ; and,

- Mr. Kevin McAlpine.

See also:

- Minister Day announces new council to assist in implementing RCMP
reform (http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/media/nr/2008/nr20080320-eng.aspx)

- Members of the RCMP Reform Implementation Council
(http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/media/nr/2008/nr20080320-2-eng.aspx)

- Minister Van Loan receives Interim Report from the RCMP Reform
Implementation Council
(http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/media/nr/2008/nr20081125-eng.aspx)

Contacts:
Public Safety Canada
Media Relations
613-991-0657

Copyright 2009, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

-0-