St. John’s, NL (June 2, 2025) – Helen Conway Ottenheimer, PC Shadow Minister for Justice and Public Safety and MHA for Harbour Main, today criticized the Liberal government for its failure to prioritize the establishment of a civilian police oversight board, a recommendation made over two years ago by the Indigenous coalition First Voice.

Conway Ottenheimer said the introduction of the Law Enforcement Oversight Commission Act in the House of Assembly in 2024 has yielded no identifiable progress, adding that government’s indifference continues to raise serious questions about its commitment to this important issue.

Stephen Reid, Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Police Governance, recently commented on the public survey regarding policing services, saying, “There is still a high amount of trust in police, but it’s the lack of resources that they themselves have to be able to do their job.”

“Listening to the public’s concerns and reviewing these survey results is essential to the health of our police force,” said Conway Ottenheimer. “73 per cent of residents say they feel less safe today than they did five years ago, and 67 per cent identify drug trafficking as a major issue in their communities. These are serious concerns that must be addressed with proper resources and support.”

Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the few provinces in Canada without a comprehensive police oversight system. A civilian oversight board would engage proactively with public, identify community policing priorities, and ensure meaningful accountability from police leadership.

“This problem is not being adequately addressed because the Department of Justice and Public Safety has not made it a priority. These are urgent concerns from residents, and they must be taken seriously,” insisted Conway Ottenheimer. “Failure by the Liberals to act simply reflects a lack of political will. The public deserves assurance that their safety is a priority for this government.”

“Ministers have been coming and going under the Liberal administration and we keep hearing scripted language and excuses year after year, all while residents live in fear of rising crime rates and the drug crisis. Establishing a civilian oversight board is not a complicated task. It’s time for the Liberal government to establish a civilian oversight body immediately.”