Justin Trudeau won't second-guess RCMP following break-in
Tom Mulcair says the rules around the security of federal politicians work well
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau won't say if the government should provide him with a security detail following the break-in at his Ottawa home, saying he'll accept the expert advice given to him by the Mounties.
The RCMP is currently conducting a risk assessment at the Liberal leader's request after an intruder broke into his home overnight Saturday and left a threatening letter on top of several large kitchen knives while his wife and children were sleeping. Trudeau was in Winnipeg when the incident occurred.
"I am looking forward to hearing recommendations the RCMP makes around my security, around my family's security," Trudeau told reporters gathered in Edmonton for the party's summer caucus. "I look forward to having conversations with them about what it will look like.
"I certainly am not going to second-guess the RCMP's expertise and look forward to the results of their investigation."
Under the current rules, only the prime minister and Governor General receive an automatic security detail. An exception is made during a federal election campaign, when the opposition party leaders are given security protection.
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair said he saw Trudeau a few hours after the incident was made public and expressed to him his concern for the Liberal leader's safety and that of his family.
Asked if the rules around the security of federal politicians should change in the wake of the break-in at Trudeau's home, Mulcair told reporters in Vancouver the current system is working well.
"If there's something that is a concern to us, we contact either the sergeant-at-arms in the House of Commons or the RCMP to let them know or the local police as the case may be.
"The system seems to be working relatively well in terms of that risk assessment, which doesn't mean that there won't be cases like the one we're referring to.
"But so far, in our experience we can rely on that type of risk assessment. It seems to be working fairly well," Mulcair said.
In Ottawa, Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney said he spoke with Trudeau on Sunday and told him he had the government's full co-operation as the RCMP assesses whether the Liberal leader should be assigned a security detail.
"I have given him assurances that the RCMP was providing him with all the help and support necessary… I trust in the RCMP capability to protect any individual whether it's Mr. Trudeau and his family or any other Canadian citizen.
"So he can count on our full co-operation to make sure that he is safe and he can move on with his job as any other Canadian," Blaney told reporters in Ottawa.
Liberal MP Marc Garneau said earlier in the day he would like to see some security provided to the Liberal leader's wife and children because Trudeau is on the road a lot.