By Pete McIntyre

RCMP Appreciation Day proclaimed in B.C.

Dec 17, 2019 | 3:59 PM

It’s a way of saying thanks to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for its service.

Feb. 1 has been proclaimed RCMP Appreciation Day by the B.C. government after a process led by residents in Vernon.

More than 1,000 names were gathered on a Vernon-led petition supporting the recognition, that was forwarded to the B.C. Legislature by Vernon Monashee MLA Eric Foster.

In 2020, the national police force turns 100 years old on Feb. 1.

Inspector Kevin Keane, representing the RCMP, told a Vernon event at the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives, the support is “humbling and appreciated.”

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MLA Foster read off the proclamation signed by B.C.’s Attorney General.

“It’s just a recognition of the 100 years of the RCMP and the service they’ve given to the community. And in my mind, just a thank you for the 100 years of service,” Foster told Vernon Matters.

MLA Eric Foster reads RCMP Day proclamation to RCMP Inspector Kevin Keane

North Okanagan Shuswap MP Mel Arnold says he continues to try and get the day recognized nationally through a private member’s bill.

“Because the private member’s bill I introduced in June 2019 died on the order papers with the dissolution of Parliament, I have to wait and go through the process of reintroducing it again this year. There are other possibilities,” said Arnold, who added with only one sitting week in Ottawa before Feb. 1, it will be difficult to squeeze in the issue before then.

Arnold is fully supportive of the appreciation.

“I’ve had members ask me why shouldn’t it be all police forces, but the RCMP is our national police force. The only police force that operates right across the country in all provinces and territories. There are provincial, regional and city police. We certainly recognize those, but this is the 100th anniversary of our national police force,” Arnold said to Vernon Matters.

Fore more on the history of the RCMP from Wikipedia, click here.

by Pete McIntyre

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