A federal report is calling on the RCMP to embrace “humility” as a core value in order to rebuild strained relationships with marginalized communities, though the force admits the meaning of the term remains unclear in practice.Blacklock's Reporter says the report, titled Core Values: What We Heard, summarizes input from minority employee groups, indigenous elders and other stakeholders. It recommends the Mounties adopt new values such as inclusion, equity, anti-racism and humility in response to criticism over past conduct and a drop in public trust.“Humility represents many participants’ desire for the RCMP to acknowledge they do not have all the answers and ask for help from those willing to share their knowledge and experiences,” the report stated. “While the concept is solid, it was only recently introduced in the organization.”.However, researchers warned that simply using the word “humility” could be misunderstood. “Some people may misinterpret it as meaning ‘humiliation’ rather than ‘being humble,’ which would need mitigation if it were to be introduced as a value,” the report said. Still, it noted that cultural humility could be used to help define existing values like respect and compassion.The RCMP’s existing Code of Conduct emphasizes traits like honesty and integrity but does not explicitly reference diversity or reconciliation. .“External groups expressed disappointment there was no reference, directly or indirectly, to these concepts,” the report found.Participants were asked to identify gaps in the current value system and propose new principles. The most common suggestions included trust, leadership, community, service and courage.The report also acknowledged the force’s troubled legacy. “Past and present RCMP employees have disclosed stories of harm through class action lawsuits,” it stated. “This, combined with the RCMP’s complex history with marginalized and oppressed groups, are among some of the reasons the public is calling for the RCMP to address its past.”A separate report in 2024 showed that trust in the RCMP fell by nearly 20 points since the pandemic. Older Canadians, who were “taught growing up to show respect,” held the most favourable views of the Mounties.
