Politics · Canada · 4 hrs ago
RCMP plans closer FBI ties as critics warn Canada is too dependent
Canada’s national police force plans to strengthen its ties with the FBI, despite concerns about growing differences between the two countries.
The RCMP says its co-operation with U.S. law enforcement has improved threat detection, information sharing and arrests.
The joint work has been credited with helping dismantle transnational gangs, including an alleged drug-trafficking organization linked to Ryan Wedding.
University of Toronto law professor Kent Roach argues that the Mounties have become too dependent on FBI tips and partnerships to tackle terrorism and other serious crime.
He says Canada needs to be able to investigate and prosecute complex national-security, financial and organized-crime cases itself, and warns that U.S. policing may become less reliable or more political.
A 2023 parliamentary report said Canada may need a new national police force if the RCMP cannot be better equipped to tackle transnational crime.
The RCMP says it will continue expanding operational co-operation with U.S. agencies.
The RCMP says it will continue strengthening co-operation with the FBI, while critics warn Canada has become too dependent on the U.S. bureau.
The force says expanded collaboration has improved threat identification and information sharing and contributed to high-profile arrests.
University of Toronto law professor Kent Roach argues that reliance on FBI tips and partnerships leaves gaps in Canada’s ability to prosecute complex crime.
Roach also warns that closer ties expose Canadian police to U.S. administrations accused of politicizing law enforcement.
A 2023 parliamentary committee report said the government might need to create a new national police force if it could not better equip the RCMP to tackle transnational crime.
- Who
- The RCMP and FBI are strengthening co-operation. Kent Roach is among those warning against too much dependence.
- What
- The RCMP plans to deepen operational collaboration with the FBI, while critics say Canada needs greater capacity to handle complex crime itself.
- When
- The article was published on October 13, 2026. It says the co-operation has been credited with arrests this year.
- Where
- Canada and the United States, including cross-border law-enforcement operations.
- Why
- The RCMP cites the shared border and benefits to threat identification and information sharing. Roach says Canada needs to protect its sovereignty and address weaknesses in its own criminal-justice system.
RCMP
Kent Roach and other critics
Co-operation
RCMP
The RCMP says expanded collaboration has improved threat identification and information sharing and contributed to high-profile arrests.
Kent Roach and other critics
Roach says Canada should be able to prosecute complex national-security, financial and organized crime cases as part of its sovereignty.
Reliance on the FBI
RCMP
The RCMP says it works closely with U.S. law-enforcement partners because Canada and the United States share a border.
Kent Roach and other critics
Roach says the Mounties have grown too dependent on FBI tips and partnerships, and may need to prepare for the FBI to be a less reliable partner.
A parliamentary committee report said the government might need to create a new national police force if it could not better enable the RCMP to tackle transnational crime.
U.S. President Donald Trump imposed emergency tariffs on Canada over concerns about fentanyl, and Justin Trudeau promised to be a better security partner.
Ryan Wedding was arrested in Mexico on multiple charges of drug trafficking and murder conspiracy.
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme appeared with U.S. and Canadian law-enforcement officials at an announcement of federal charges and arrests in Los Angeles.
- RCMP commissioner
- Mike Duheme
- RCMP spokeswoman
- Jessica Kingsbury
- Critic
- Kent Roach, University of Toronto law professor
- Parliamentary report
- 2023
- Ryan Wedding arrest
- Mexico, January
- U.S. tariffs
- Imposed on Canada in 2025
What people are saying
Given the shared border between Canada and the United States, the RCMP works closely with U.S. law enforcement partners
expanded operational collaboration with U.S. agencies has enhanced threat identification, information sharing, and contributed to high-profile arrests.
We have to imagine a world where the Americans, and specifically the FBI, may be less reliable partners
We need to be able to do these complex national security, and also financial crime and organized crime prosecutions, as part of our sovereignty
Sources
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