Letter sent to The Honourable Ralph Goodale Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

July 5, 2019
 
 
The Honourable Ralph Goodale
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
 
Via Email: ralph.goodale@parl.gc.ca
 
Dear Minister Goodale,

The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce would like to add its voice to the many citizens concerned about the proposed relocation of the RCMP Operational Communication Centre from Truro to Dartmouth. We have been informed that many factors were evaluated in coming to this decision, however we feel that the decision-making and engagement with the affected community suffer from a lack of transparency.

The ACC is a voluntary association of 93 chambers of commerce across Atlantic Canada and advocates for an environment where Atlantic Canadian businesses succeed.

At a general policy level, we are concerned that federal government offices that represent significant employers to local communities can be relocated without consultation and public accountability. While operational efficiencies in government are desirable, it is essential that there be proof that a broader evaluation has taken place, one that clearly demonstrates consideration of the impact on local communities and conformance with guidelines for public safety. It is our understanding that to date, only general assurances have been offered to stakeholders and the local MP, and requests for documentation denied.

We are concerned by a public perception that the RCMP may have ignored expert advice that clustering of police communications facilities in the same municipality will create a situation of unnecessary risk to public safety. As minister responsible for public safety, we urge you to require the RCMP to release documentation that demonstrates an objective analysis has been completed in relation to the issue of geographic separation of redundancies in the emergency communications system.

The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce supports the Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce in raising concerns about the economic and public safety considerations of closing the Truro OCC. We base our concerns on a national resolution adopted by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in 2017, calling for published criteria and confirmation of consultation and assessment prior to announcing the relocation of federal offices.

Thank you, Minister Goodale, for your consideration of this issue and urge you to demonstrate your concern for the broader impacts that lack of consultation and information have on constituent’s willingness to trust government.
 
Regards,

Sheri Somerville
CEO Atlantic Chamber of Commerce
 
CC:
Assistant Commissioner Lee Bergerman, Commanding Officer “H” Division
Sherry Martell, Executive Director, Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce
Bill Casey, MP Cumberland-Colchester