OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre clarified his recent remarks about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) leadership, which he described as "despicable." He stated that his comments were directed at former RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki and not the current force. This clarification came as the Liberals and other opposition parties called for an apology from Poilievre during question period in the House of Commons.

In a statement released through his office, Poilievre expressed his support for the RCMP, saying, "I stand shoulder to shoulder with the brave men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve. Today and every day, I thank them for their service." He emphasized that his criticism was aimed at Lucki, citing her history of scandals and alleged political interference that benefited the Liberal government.

Poilievre's initial comments were made during an interview with Northern Perspective, an independent Canadian media channel. He criticized the RCMP's handling of scandals involving former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, including the SNC-Lavalin affair and Trudeau's vacation on the Aga Khan's private island. Poilievre stated that such issues should have led to "jail time" and described the RCMP leadership as "frankly, just despicable" in enforcing laws against the Liberal government.

In response to Poilievre's remarks, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme stated at a press conference that he does not take political orders and encouraged Poilievre to meet with RCMP leadership. The backlash from Poilievre's comments prompted his office to prepare talking points for Conservative MPs to use in addressing public and media inquiries. These points emphasized the party's support for the RCMP and its commitment to providing additional resources to the force.

Liberal House Leader Steven MacKinnon criticized Poilievre's comments, arguing they undermined the independence of the judiciary and the RCMP, which is responsible for protecting Poilievre's family. He called for an apology, stating, "We don’t do that in Canada." NDP interim leader Don Davies echoed this sentiment, describing Poilievre's remarks as irresponsible and reminiscent of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who he accused of politicizing the justice system.

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May also called for an apology, stating, "I don’t like that kind of language in Canadian politics." Poilievre's comments have sparked discussions within the Conservative Party, with some members expressing concerns about his tone and its impact on voter perception, particularly among women and older voters.

The controversy surrounding Poilievre's remarks comes as he faces a leadership review scheduled for January 2026. Former Conservative communications director Dimitri Soudas criticized Poilievre's rhetoric in an opinion piece, suggesting it reflects a failure to learn from past electoral defeats. Meanwhile, some Conservative MPs have refrained from directly addressing their support for Poilievre's comments but have expressed their overall support for him as leader.

As the situation develops, the Conservative Party is working to manage the fallout from Poilievre's statements and maintain its support for the RCMP amid ongoing scrutiny.