B.C. Premier David Eby says the public deserves to know why the province’s top RCMP officer was removed from his position, as questions remain about allegations that prompted the decision. Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald was relieved of his duties as commanding officer for the Mounties in B.C. on Thursday after the RCMP announced that investigations were underway into allegations dating from 2016 to 2018. The RCMP has not disclosed the nature of the allegations. The B.C. Prosecution Service also declined to say whether they were connected to any criminal proceedings, telling CTV News that it “does not comment on matters that are under investigation.” Speaking at a news conference in Vancouver on Friday, Eby said he does not know what prompted the removal either. “I do know that the RCMP is engaging in a process to ensure that that this is properly investigated, and I look forward to any reports and information they may have to share with the public about that,” the premier said. “I think that ultimately the public deserves to know why the head RCMP officer in British Columbia was removed,” he added. “But I also know that it is crucial, both for anyone who’s bringing forward allegations, as well as for Mr. McDonald, that that’s done properly.” Eby says RCMP in ‘good hands’ Following McDonald’s ouster, Assistant Commissioner John Brewer was appointed interim deputy commissioner and commanding officer of the RCMP in B.C. RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme, the force’s top officer in Canada, said Brewer is familiar with policing priorities in B.C., and the sudden change in leadership will not affect RCMP operations in the province. Duheme confirmed that investigations into McDonald’s conduct are underway, saying the Mounties are “treating this matter with the attention and diligence it requires.” Eby described Brewer as a “top-notch” officer who will ensure seamless policing services in the province. “From that perspective, I’m glad to know that the B.C. RCMP is in good hands,” the premier said. Brewer has faced scrutiny from Eby before. Earlier this year, as head of the B.C. anti-extortion task force, Brewer questioned whether the shootings and threats plaguing the province amounted to a “crisis,” as others described them. Brewer later apologized for the comments, which Eby criticized as “puzzling” and said required an explanation. “It’s hard to think of a situation, where you are unable to do business, you don’t feel comfortable in your own home, you are facing gunshots, and where residents in homes are shooting back at people, who are shooting at their home, as anything other than a crisis,” Eby said in January. Before becoming commanding officer of the B.C. RCMP, McDonald served as head of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team and later as the top officer in Surrey. He became the criminal operations officer for federal and organized crime investigations in 2019.
