May 28, 2025 - Ottawa, ON - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

The Military Police Complaints Commission (MPCC) plays a vital role in investigating Military Police (MP) interference complaints, reviewing closed and concluded public complaints led by the Military Police at the request of complainants, and leading public interest investigations and hearings. The Canadian Forces Provost Marshal (CFPM) is fully committed to, and supportive of the MPCC's mandate, within the legislative framework afforded under Part IV of the National Defence Act.

A public complaint was received by the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal's Office of Professional Standards related the MP response to Master Corporal Orton's death. It was subsequently determined that the complaint was one that could be more appropriately dealt with through a criminal investigation. This is one of several reasons, laid out in the National Defence Act (NDA) s.250.27(4), regarding why a conduct complaint may not require an NDA Part IV conduct investigation by the Office of Professional Standards to appropriately address the matter.

The criminal investigation concluded on March 18, 2025. No criminal or code of service discipline charges were laid. However, a Military Police Professional Code of Conduct (MPPCC) investigation was initiated on March 18, 2025, and remains ongoing. The MPPCC is how the CFPM exercises their authority to determine whether administrative action is taken against members of the MP, which could include revocation of MP credentials.

During and following the closure of the criminal investigation and the subsequent decision to call a Public Interest Hearing (PIH), the Office of the CFPM has corresponded with the MPCC regarding their request for disclosure of relevant information to support their existing review and in light of the decision to declare a PIH into the same matter.

The Office of the CFPM will continue to support the MPCC during the course of the PIH, while ensuring that the integrity of the ongoing MPPCC investigation into this matter is maintained.