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Provost Marshal’s Office Defies Civilian Oversight Regime, Watchdog Report Finds

Using a narrow reading of the National Defence Act to block complaints, senior leaders in the Provost Marshal’s office triggered a watchdog report urging parliamentary reform.

The National Defence building is seen in Ottawa on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Canadian Forces Provost Marshal, Brig. Gen. Vanessa Hanrahan is shown in this photo at a change of command ceremony on Dec. 10, 2024.
Tammy Tremblay, chairperson of the Military Police Complaints Commission.

Overview

  • The Military Police Complaints Commission found that in 2024 resistance to civilian oversight escalated to an outright refusal by the Provost Marshal’s office to comply with the regime set by Parliament.
  • The report says the provost’s office has routinely shut down investigations under a restrictive interpretation of the National Defence Act that it lacks authority to apply.
  • Watchdog officials found that complainants were not informed of their right to have cases reviewed by the commission, undermining access to justice.
  • The breakdown in oversight was attributed to decisions by senior leadership rather than the actions of individual military police officers.
  • The commission is calling on Parliament to amend the National Defence Act to ensure it can obtain the information and authority needed to investigate military police complaints.