RCMP Morale Drops Amid “Woke” Reforms

RCMP

Canada’s national police force — the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) — is facing a deepening morale crisis as members struggle under the weight of internal reforms that prioritize political correctness and ideological training over law enforcement fundamentals.

Insiders from across the country, particularly in Western provinces, report a culture shift within the RCMP that has left seasoned officers disillusioned, frustrated, and in some cases, ready to walk away.

“We’re Social Workers in Uniform”

Speaking on condition of anonymity, several serving RCMP officers have expressed alarm at what they describe as a “corporate hijacking” of police work. “We’ve gone from enforcing the law to enforcing political trends,” said a 20-year officer based in Saskatchewan. “We’re social workers in uniform now.”

Key concerns include:

  • Excessive time spent in mandatory bias training, gender and equity seminars, and cultural sensitivity workshops.

  • Restrictions on traditional policing methods deemed “aggressive” or “non-inclusive.”

  • An internal culture where raising operational concerns is met with HR discipline or silencing.

One recently retired Mountie told CanadaBrief, “I didn’t sign up to be a social engineer. I joined to protect Canadians. This isn’t what policing is supposed to be.”

Crime Rising, Support Declining

While RCMP officers adjust to internal restructuring, crime rates in several provinces have increased — particularly in rural and Indigenous communities where resources are thin and backup is far away.

In British Columbia and Alberta, property crime and violent assaults have risen, with low police presence and lax prosecutorial follow-through worsening the trend.

Officers say the emphasis on image management and optics from federal leadership is hindering real-time response and community safety.

The Conservative Response

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre has taken direct aim at what he calls “bureaucratized justice.” Speaking at a recent town hall in Red Deer, he stated:

“The RCMP isn’t here to be a diversity department in uniform. It’s a law enforcement agency, and it needs to be treated — and funded — like one.”

Poilievre is calling for:

  • An independent RCMP morale and operations audit

  • Restoration of frontline funding and operational independence

  • The removal of ideological mandates not tied to crime prevention

A group of Conservative MPs are now drafting a bill tentatively titled the Law Enforcement Integrity Act, which seeks to enshrine policing autonomy in federal statute.

Reforms Without Purpose?

The current RCMP Commissioner, appointed under the Liberal government, continues to defend the reform agenda. Public statements have emphasized the importance of creating an “inclusive” and “trauma-informed” police culture that reflects modern Canadian values.

But rank-and-file officers aren’t buying it. A 2025 survey by the Canadian Police Federation found that:

  • 72% of RCMP members feel less supported by leadership than five years ago

  • 58% have considered leaving the force in the next 3 years

  • Only 21% feel recent reforms have improved their effectiveness

A Crossroads Moment

For Canada’s oldest and most recognizable institution, the RCMP may be approaching a critical crossroads: continue down the path of politically designed reforms — or restore its original mandate of law, order, and national service.

The next federal election may serve as a referendum on the future of policing in Canada. And for thousands of officers across the country, it can’t come soon enough.