Statement from the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal

May 12, 2023 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

The Military Police (MP) continue to diligently refer criminal sexual offence cases to civilian police in a victim-centric and trauma-informed manner, a process which has been ongoing since December 2021.

As I know that this matter is of great importance to the Defence Team and to the Canadian public I am providing a progress update on our efforts. The last was in December 2022.

As of 8 May 2023, of the 190 cases reported to the MP, 93 have been referred to federal, provincial, and municipal police services. Of these, 64 have been accepted and 29 have been declined. 

Various reasons exist as to why 97 cases were not referred which include allegations that occurred outside the country, cases where the victim does not want to proceed with a police investigation and cases where the victim prefers an MP investigation.  For example, of those cases not referred, 20 reflect cases whereby the victim preferred an MP investigation.

As we continue to implement the interim recommendation of Mme Arbour our primary concern remains the support to the victim, therefore MP coordination with the civilian police of concurrent jurisdiction is done in a deliberate manner, making every effort to minimize the impact on the victim.