OTTAWA — The National Police Federation is calling for an immediate federal investigation after alleging that active and retired RCMP members were deliberately misled into participating in a taxpayer-funded CBC Entertainment and APTN production that, according to he union, ambushed and humiliated them on camera.
"In short, participants were deceived, insulted, and publicly shamed at the expense of Canadian taxpayers," said NPF President and CEO Brian Sauvé.
In a letter to Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Marc Miller, the NPF said Members were invited to take part in what they believed was a program meant to honour their service. Instead, the union says participants were confronted with fabricated identities, staged scenarios, and a narrative designed to condemn the RCMP and its history.
“This is a profound breach of trust,” said Sauvé. “RCMP Members participated in good faith, believing they were contributing to something that honoured their and others’ service. Instead, they were subjected to a process that left many feeling betrayed and retraumatized. That demands retraction and accountability.”
The NPF is demanding:
- An immediate halt to broadcast of this content;
- An urgent inquiry into the planning, approval, and funding of this production;
- Determining improper use of federal funds and potential recovery;
- Requiring CBC Entertainment and APTN to identify the personnel and decision-makers responsible for authorizing and executing these deceptive tactics; and
- Determining safeguards to prevent similar conduct in future productions involving vulnerable or unsuspecting participants.
“Trust in public institutions is not optional—it is earned,” said Sauvé. “When that trust is broken in this way, there must be consequences and there must be change.”
The union says that the deception risks compounding trauma for members who already face high rates of occupational stress injuries. It also warns that the incident could further erode public trust in federally funded institutions.
“Trust in public institutions is not optional—it is earned,” said Sauvé. “When that trust is broken in this way, there must be consequences and there must be change.”
CBC Entertainment and APTN were contacted for comment but have not yet responded.
The National Police Federation (NPF) represents 20,000 RCMP Members serving across Canada and internationally. They are the largest police union in Canada. The NPF is focused on improving public safety for all Canadians, including our Members by advocating for much-needed investment in the public safety continuum. This includes investments in police resourcing and modern equipment, as well as social programs including health, addiction, and housing supports to enhance safety and livability in the many communities they serve, large and small, across Canada.
