Brent Cotter, ethics expert and former senator, named interim head of RCMP watchdog

OTTAWA — The Liberal government has named well-known legal ethicist and former senator Brent Cotter to be the interim head of the RCMP watchdog.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said Cotter will become chairperson of the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP for a term of six months effective Wednesday.

Cotter, a former dean of the University of Saskatchewan’s law school, was a senator from 2020 to 2024, when he reached the upper chamber’s mandatory retirement age.

Cotter’s extensive experience in law and ethics, particularly in matters involving public complaints against police officers, will be a significant asset to the review commission, Public Safety Canada said in a media statement.

The Ottawa-based commission is an independent agency created by Parliament to ensure public complaints about the conduct of RCMP members are examined fairly and impartially.

The chairperson’s job has been vacant since January 2025.

Roxanne Gagné has been appointed vice-chairperson of the commission for a term of five years, effective April 20.

Gagné has served as director of Manitoba’s Independent Investigations Unit, a civilian oversight agency that probes incidents involving police and members of the public.

Public Safety said the appointments will help with the transition of the RCMP watchdog into the Public Complaints and Review Commission, a new body that will handle complaints and conduct reviews related to both the Mounties and the Canada Border Services Agency.

Legislation establishing the new commission received royal assent in 2024, though it’s still not clear when it will be up and running.

An independent assessment of the RCMP watchdog completed in 2024 found concerns about favouritism, a lack of transparency, heavy workloads and “a toxic environment.”

The report made several recommendations to improve employee well-being and promote stronger leadership at the commission.

Public Safety said last year the review commission had taken steps to better educate employees about workplace wellness and assistance.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 13, 2026.

Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press