Last week, both the RCMP and department of justice played down the significance of their disagreement over residential school files, characterizing it as an isolated incident. But Michael Code, the private Toronto lawyer hired by the RCMP to argue its case in B.C., confirmed Monday that he has also provided advice to the RCMP's blood task force in Ontario about how to deal with justice requests for files. That task force is conducting a massive criminal investigation into how thousands of Canadians contracted HIV and Hepatitis C from tainted blood. The department of justice is prepared to make some concessions to deal with the RCMP's concerns. The allegation comes after it was revealed that the Justice department wants the Mounties to pass over some of their blood-related files so the government can defend itself in lawsuits launched by victims.
Critics are outraged that federal lawyers are making the request at all.
For starters, they note there is a long-standing tradition that governments should remain separate from the activities of the police. The Mounties have not yet determined if charges are warranted. And that has no place in an investigation that is supposed to be above and beyond politics. It flies in the face of justice. All Canadians should be very worried by this.