COMMENTATOR: Good afternoon.

Before we begin the Change of Command ceremony, we would like to acknowledge that the land upon which National Headquarters in Ottawa stands is the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Nation, and recognize the continuing presence of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in this region.

We would like to further acknowledge that the land upon which Depot Division in Regina stands is Treaty 4 territory and the traditional home of the Métis.

Welcome to the Change of Command ceremony for Depot Division of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Today, Assistant Commissioner Jasmin Breton will formally pass command of the Division, including the RCMP Training Academy, to Chief Superintendent Sylvie Bourassa-Muise.

The Change of Command is overseen by the Commissioner of the RCMP, Commissioner Brenda Lucki, under whose auspices the transfer of authority may occur.

The Change of Command is an important symbolic event as it not only publicly acknowledges the authority of the new Commanding Officer, but allows the Division to thank the outgoing one.

A Change of Command usually includes a parade, including members of the Division with all participants present.

However, due to the pandemic restrictions, the ceremony will be restricted to the signing of command parchments and a symbolic passing of the Depot Division ensign.

It will also be done virtually with Commissioner Lucki and Assistant Commissioner Breton joining us from National Headquarters in Ottawa, while Chief Superintendent Bourassa-Muise will participate from the RCMP Academy in Regina.

[Chief Superintendent Bourassa-Muise enters the Drill Hall and takes her place centred in front of a large Canadian flag.]

Chief Superintendent Bourassa-Muise is now entering the historic Drill Hall at Depot Division to participate in the Change of Command ceremony.

[Commissioner Lucki and Assistant Commissioner Breton enter the auditorium and take their place, centred in the venue with the Commissioner to the right and the Assistant Commissioner physically distanced to her left.]

Commissioner Lucki and Assistant Commissioner Breton, who are entering the auditorium at National Headquarters, follow her.

With the participants present, Pipe Major Mike Berns of the Regina RCMP Pipes and Drums plays the musical General Salute to acknowledge Commissioner Lucki.

Those present in both locations will salute as the musical salute is played with Commissioner Lucki returning the salute on completion.

[Pipe Major Berns plays the musical General Salute. Assistant Commissioner Breton and Chief Superintendent Bourassa-Muise salute.]

[Commissioner Lucki returns the salute.]

In deference to our position as Canada’s national force, we will now play O Canada.

Those participating in the ceremony will remain standing and those in uniform will salute.

Singing is discouraged during these COVID times.

[Instrumental version of O Canada.]

Chaplain Jean Morisset, the Chaplain of Depot Division, will now offer a message of support and thanksgiving for the Change of Command.

You will note that participation has ben extremely limited due to the pandemic protocols in place in both Ontario and Saskatchewan, and as such, some of our most important partners are not physically present.

To overcome this, we have ensured the symbols of the Crown are present and that our Indigenous partners are represented by the presence of the sacred Eagle Staff, the Inuit Qulliq oil lamp and the Métis sash.

Family and friends will join us through the virtual platform.

[Chaplain Morisset steps forward to offer the Invocation.]

CHAPLAIN MORISSET: Ma'am, distinguished guests, family and friends.

I want to take the opportunity to express my gratitude to offer a prayer of blessing on this momentous event, in my faith tradition.

Anyone who, for whatever reason, are not disposed to pray, are invited to use this time for silent personal reflection and contemplation as others pray.

Almighty God, Creator, we gather here to pray, to give a special blessing to our Commanding Officer Sylvie Bourassa-Muise.

May her day ahead be filled with joy.

May you guide her for the fulfillment of your will.

May her time at Depot be successful and filled with accomplishments.

May her aspiration and goal be of service to this Division, to this country and to this Force.

May your love unite us and your presence protect us.

Bless, O Lord, Depot, our cadets, our members, our employees and our leaders, under the protection our commanding officer, Sylvie Bourassa-Muise.

With respect of all Faith, I pray in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen

COMMENTATOR: Chaplain Morisset has delivered the Invocation and the participants will now sign the parchment, which will formally transfer command from Assistant Commissioner Breton to Chief Superintendent Bourassa-Muise.

Each participant will sign one parchment to reduce the number of touch points during the ceremony.

The three parchments will be circulated following the ceremony and the signatures of the Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner Breton and Chief Superintendent Bourassa-Muise will eventually be present on all.

[Commissioner Lucki, Assistant Commissioner Breton and Chief Superintendent Bourassa-Muise move to the signing tables and sit down.]

[Assistant Commissioner Breton signs a parchment.]

[Chief Superintendent Bourassa-Muise signs a parchment.]

[Commissioner Lucki signs a parchment.]

Assistant Commissioner Breton has first signed and in doing so will relinquish command.

Chief Superintendent Bourassa-Muise has now signed the parchment to accept command.

The final signatory will be the Commissioner who, as the presiding senior officer, by signing, has witnessed the transfer of command.

Now that parchments have been signed, Commissioner Lucki, flanked by outgoing Commanding Officer Assistant Commissioner Breton and at Depot, Chief Superintendent Bourassa-Muise, returns to the centre to participate in the passing of the Division ensign.

[Commissioner Lucki, Assistant Commissioner Breton and Chief Superintendent Bourassa-Muise return front and centre.]

Each Division of the RCMP has its own ensign made distinctive by the design thereon.

Depot Division and its primary purpose of training members of the RCMP is represented by the lamp of knowledge and crossed sabres denoting training in policing skills.

The passing of the ensign, normally done hand to hand but today virtually, is a physical representation of not only hand over of command but the authority and responsibility that comes with it.

The ensign bearer, Corps Sergeant Major Al McCambridge, the senior non-commissioned Officer for the Force, enters the auditorium and halts before Assistant Commissioner Breton.

[Corps Sergeant Major McCambridge carries the Depot ensign and halts before Assistant Commissioner Breton.]

Assistant Commissioner Breton salutes the ensign to demonstrate he is relinquishing command of the division.

[Assistant Commissioner Breton salutes.]

[Corps Sergeant Major McCambridge faces Commissioner Lucki.]

Corps Sergeant Major McCambridge now turns and carries the ensign to the Commissioner who, for a brief moment has Depot Division returned to her care before passing it on to the new Commanding Officer.

Commissioner Lucki salutes the ensign to demonstrate not only the return of the division, but that she will now entrust it to another.

[Commissioner Lucki salutes.]

The Corps Sergeant Major now departs the auditorium.

[Corps Sergeant Major McCambridge marches the ensign out of the venue.]

Sergeant Major Mike McGinley, the senior non-commissioned officer for Depot Division, enters the Drill Hall bearing the ensign and halts before the incoming Commanding Officer, Chief Superintendent Bourassa-Muise.

[Sergeant Major McGinley carries the Depot ensign and halts before Chief Superintendent Bourassa-Muise.]

Chief Superintendent Bourassa-Muise salutes the ensign demonstrating her acceptance of her newfound responsibilities as Commanding Officer.

[Chief Superintendent Bourassa-Muise salutes.]

[Sergeant Major McGinley marches to the side.]

Sergeant Major McGinley now moves the ensign to the side, however, it remains present with the new Commanding Officer, symbolic of the responsibilities which will now remain with her while she is in command.

As the officiant of the ceremony and witness to the transfer of command authority, Commissioner Lucki addresses the participants.

[Commissioner Lucki moves to the podium and addresses the ceremony.]

COMMISSIONER LUCKI: Good afternoon, everyone.

Bonjour, tout le monde.

Tansi.

Anin.

I would like to begin, as well, to acknowledge that I'm speaking to you from the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Nation here in Ottawa.

For me, and for the RCMP, these land acknowledgements are an important first step on our road to Reconciliation.

Before COVID put a hold on my in-person speaking engagements, I’d always try to learn a little bit more about the land I'd be visiting and the Indigenous Peoples who call this land their home.

I encourage you all to do the same when we can travel again.

As the former Depot Commanding Officer myself, the Training Academy holds a very special spot in my heart.

It is truly remarkable and I really wish I could be there in person to deliver these remarks.

We're here today to officially welcome Chief Superintendent Sylvie Bourassa-Muise to her role as Commanding Officer of Depot Division and to thank Assistant Commissioner Jas Breton for the leadership that he has provided.

[Repeats the message in French]

I'd like to start by recognizing the work and the accomplishments of our outgoing Commanding Officer.

Jas, you really had a remarkable task of leading our Training Academy through a national health crisis and global pandemic.

There were many, many hard decisions to make when Depot closed down and a lot of pressure, and even harder ones about how to resume our training safely.

But your calm and your very thoughtful leadership helped reassure staff, cadets and their families – and of course all the other members in the RCMP who were anxiously awaiting to see what happened – and then to ensure that we could resume training safely and effectively.

Even before the pandemic, you were working on new initiatives to modernize our training program, supporting the rollout of groundbreaking research into the effects of policing on mental health through our longitudinal study and bringing new ideas and new approaches into our curriculum and training delivery.

Those are very big high browns to fill. Thank you.

After several years at Depot, Jas is joining our National Headquarters team as our new Chief Learning Officer.

He will put his experiences as Director General of the RCMP's Workplace Responsibility Branch, as the Director of the Police Sciences School at the Canadian Police College and as the O i/c of the Regional Performance Center, among many roles, to excellent use.

We’re so lucky to have you here back at National Headquarters, Jas.

Your passion for excellence in policing is inspiring and your passion for learning is inspiring as well and we know you will continue to support Sylvie and build on our culture of learning across the entire RCMP.

Thank you.

As an organization, our priority is to put our people first.

Together, we're working to modernize the RCMP, focusing on our people, building our culture, practising good stewardship and all of it resulting in world-recognized policing services.

[Repeats the message in French]

As part of Vision150, we've set objective and priorities and projects and I'm amazed at the progress we're making and I'm looking so forward to see what comes in the future.

And that brings me to Sylvie.

Leading the RCMP's Training Academy is a profound responsibility.

You are at the very heart of the RCMP and you are molding its future.

Depot isn't just a training center or a school; it's our home.

It's the cradle of the RCMP.

All of our cadets start their path here and it's like no other experience.

They don't just learn the fundamental skills of law, study police sciences and practise their tactical skills.

They form bonds that last a lifetime and they grow as people.

They build a foundation for the rest of their policing career.

[Repeats the message in French]

And, they transform themselves into the iconic Red Serge Mounties recognized around the world as a symbol of our Canadian identity and our values.

For members, Depot Division stays as bright and sharp in their memory as their red serge.

Depot unites us first as troopmates and then as police officers.

Coming from a diversity of backgrounds, but sharing a common purpose and a common outlook.

It plays a key role in shaping the future of our organization by molding our members into policing professionals, and giving them the skills they need to adapt to a new situation and continue their development as part of world-class policing in Canada.

With 35 years service and her devotion to policing, I know that Sylvie is well suited for the job.

Sylvie has served in various capacities and in multiple locations including Nova Scotia, Ottawa and Regina.

While working as a major crime investigator, Sylvie developed an expertise in combating child exploitation.

As an incident commander, she managed air events, major events and protests.

Sylvie has also served as an overseas security officer in Protective Policing and as the Officer in Charge of security detail for the for Canada's Governor General.

She has also had the honour of serving as security officer for recent and future visits of Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge.

And, by the way, Sylvie has also been both an academic and drill instructor at Depot, herself.

And I know that she has already started to make her mark.

She is calling attention to our mental health priority through a mural project that reflects the hard work and perseverance of our RCMP family throughout the pandemic.

On the stewardship side, she has put a focus on going green as we explore new transportation and curriculum delivery options.

And she is showing that she is people first, people focused by turning the traditional conduct lecture to a "fireside chat" that personalizes a very important subject and builds a closer rapport with the cadets that will soon become our colleagues in the field.

These are just the very early days and I have no doubt, Sylvie, that you'll lead our Training Academy with dedication, compassion and strength as the new Commanding Officer.

Change doesn't happen overnight – it takes time and effort – but we're setting the course for where we want to be.

A healthy, inclusive organization that provides leading edge policing services to keep Canadians safe.

We want our people to feel valued, respected and that they belong.

And that they feel this way throughout their career from their initial training at Depot and beyond.

You both have done just that in each place you've served and I know you'll continue to do the same in your new roles.

Sylvie, I wish you all the best.

And Jas, thank you so much for your continued service.

[Repeats the message in French]

Myself and all Canadians are grateful for your commitment.

The cadets, I'm sure, will thank you later.

Merci.

Thank you.

Miigwech.

[Commissioner Lucki returns to her seat.]

COMMENTATOR: Commissioner Lucki is followed by the outgoing Commanding officer, Assistant Commissioner Jas Breton, who will say farewell to those under his command.

Assistant Commissioner Breton was the Commanding Officer of Depot Division for two and a half years and entrusted with continuing RCMP training through the pandemic.

He has been appointed as Chief Learning Officer for the RCMP, where he will be responsible for all learning and development for the Force.

[Assistant Commissioner Breton moves to the podium and addresses the ceremony.]

ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER BRETON: Commissioner Lucki, Chief Superintendent Bourassa-Muise, Corps Sergeant Major, Sergeant Major and all of those joining us today via the Internet.

Thank you for your participation today in this historic Change of Command.

Historic in the sense that it's the first virtual Change of Command in the history of the Force.

It seems somewhat fitting because so many firsts happened at the Academy.

Before I start with my final words, I'd like to thank the IM/IT folks that have worked really, really hard over the last several weeks to allow for this event to actually take place virtually.

I would like to thank the employees, who have worked hard behind the scenes to organize today’s ceremony.

So let me go back in time a little bit.

And I'm not going to go back to 1885 when Depot was started, I promise.

I want to go back to May of 2018 when I was sitting at my desk upstairs working as the Director General, Workplace Responsibility Branch, and I received the phone call from our Commissioner, Commissioner Lucki.

She didn’t hesitate, went straight to the topic, saying Congratulations, Jas, you will be the next CO of Depot.

Congratulations, Jas, you’ll be the next CO of Depot?

Immediately, I was honoured.

But I immediately realized (and we didn’t compare notes, Commissioner) I had tall boots to fill, knowing full well that she had just recently been the CO of Depot.

So thank you, Commissioner, for your ongoing support, your kind words, and also obviously our members of the SEC for supporting my role as Commanding Officer back in 2018.

My family and I arrived at Depot in July and soon after was the Change of Command.

So within that short period of time, I had to come up with a vision, an idea, a concept of where we would go during my tenure at the Academy.

My message was fairly simple: People, Program and Process.

Interestingly enough, it was before Vision150 and I’m very, very glad that those three pillars actually aligned with Vision150.

Now I’ve heard the Commissioner say many times at various events and she said it here again today:

Always leave your detachment or your unit or your division in a better state of affairs than when you first arrive.

So reflecting on the last two and a half years in my role as Commanding Officer, I can say with confidence that we accomplished that.

And I emphasize the word "we", and I’ll get to that here in a second.

We supported our people in so many ways.

We continued to develop the best training program in the world.

And we looked at finding ways to improve and streamline our processes.

Today I want to thank ALL, and on my piece of paper here all is in capital letters, ALL employees at the Training Academy and also at the Police Dog Service Training Center for your dedication, your commitment, regardless of your role and your responsibilities.

Together, as a team, we were able to move the stakes forward.

A big thank you to all Depot employees for your ongoing dedication and for making my stay at Depot memorable.

The momentum of our change initiatives was certainly sidetracked in March of 2020 when we had to close Depot for a few months.

However, under these difficult circumstances, we didn’t mark time.

It’s kind of a Drill term there.

We didn’t mark time, but kept moving forward.

The Resumption Team was created, lesson plans and scenarios were updated.

An online version of our Cadet Training Program was created to allow for our cadets to self-isolate for the first fourteen days and continue their Cadet Training Program.

Now the work isn’t complete and that’s what I’m so very proud and excited to have Chief Superintendent Sylvie Bourassa-Muise take over command of Depot and continue the work that we’ve undertaken to modernize the Academy.

Her varied background, demonstrated leadership, and most importantly – and I saw it in February where we had an opportunity to work for a month together – the enthusiasm are all key ingredients required which will allow her to meet and complete these key initiatives.

The recent assessment of our paramilitary approach to training, the ongoing work on the level-three evaluation, and the continued challenges of COVID and delivering our program, implementation of the EDI strategy, Reconciliation are but a few of the ongoing initiatives underway at Depot.

In my new role as Chief Learning Officer, I plan to support her and her team to accomplish those lofty goals so that Depot and the Police Dog Training Centre continue to be the envy of police training.

Thank you again, Commissioner, for your ongoing support.

Good luck, Sylvie, and your team.

And thank you all again for taking part in this event today.

[Assistant Commissioner Breton returns his seat.]

COMMENTATOR: The Chief Learning Officer is now followed by the new Commanding Officer of Depot Division, Chief Superintendent Bourassa-Muise.

Chief Superintendent Bourassa-Muise assumes command of the Division at a time of great change with training at the forefront of modernization.

[Chief Superintendent Bourassa-Muise moves to the podium and addresses the ceremony.]

CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT BOURASSA-MUISE: What a wonderful day this is to be granted this most important post as Commanding Officer of the RCMP Training Academy.

I am humbled and honoured to become a caretaker of a part of Treaty 4 Territory.

There is so much growth here at Depot – the place where every Mountie starts their career.

As my predecessors can relate, somehow time in Saskatchewan goes too quickly and we should take the opportunity to both learn and share our knowledge.

I am privileged of the mentorship and guidance of two previous Commanding Officers who are here with us virtually today.

I look to you, Commissioner Lucki, and reflect on your wonderful achievements in your tenure.

You have leaped forward when you saw that our Force needed a certain leadership to undertake many of its greatest challenges.

You chose to run into various furies and have done so with a vision in mind, and are calling it so, Vision150.

Assistant Commissioner Breton, you faced one of the greatest adversities in our modern times, a worldwide pandemic.

You too chose to run towards the fire and address many uncertainties.

You remained true to your mission to see Depot re-open to train new members, while keeping everyone safe and healthy.

To both of you, I thank you for your tenacity, your resiliency and courage of conviction in the face of adversity.

Know that these will be my guiding forces.

Today, I commit to you both and to my colleagues that I am and will carry on with your visions by ensuring that Depot Division is ever-modernizing and thriving.

Knowing that each present day will one day become history, I will use the spirit of our past to guide new visions and reconcile past wrongs.

Not only will I respect and embrace our diversity, but I will further represent it through our visual arts and artifacts.

All to make certain that everyone who enters the RCMP Academy can see a part of themselves represented.

As we build up to the 150th anniversary of the RCMP, I will ensure that Depot is representative of our diversity, our communities and our mission through our programs, our people and our historical grounds.

To Assistant Commissioner Breton and to your spouse Jody, thank you for being so kind to my husband and I upon our arrival.

We appreciate your warm welcome and wish you the very best in Ottawa.

I would like to acknowledge that I could not and would not be here today, with a career spanning over 34 years of various service across this country and the world, without the support of my wonderful spouse Bob Muise, my daughter Chanelle, my mom and late father and my family – and that includes the RCMP family.

I need to boast that I too have recruited several family members into the RCMP.

Among these are my spouse Bob, who recently retired as a civilian member after 21 years of service and my daughter who has just joined the public service in Departmental Security.

With my challenge coin in hand, I want you to know that I challenge myself to carry on with our full resumption of service.

I am committed to be part of the community, embrace diversity, be patient and kind, maintain an all-encompassing learning environment and to keep growing and moving forward to serve my country to the best of my abilities.

Thank you, Commissioner.

Thank you Assistant Commissioner Breton.

[Commissioner Lucki and Assistant Commissioner Breton stand and Chief Superintendent Bourassa-Muise returns to a standing position in the centre.]

COMMENTATOR: With accolades, welcomes and farewells complete, the participants return to the centre for the playing of God Save the Queen, which brings this important ceremony to a close.

[Instrumental version of God Saves the Queen.]

The Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner Breton, accompanied virtually by Chief Superintendent Bourassa-Muise, will now depart the ceremony symbolically together while Pipe Major Berns plays the RCMP Regimental March.

[Pipe Master Berns plays the RCMP Regimental March.]

[Commissioner Lucki, Assistant Commissioner Breton and Chief Superintendent Bourassa-Muise depart.]

Thank you for joining us for the Depot Division Change of Command Ceremony.

Take care and stay safe.

SUPER: © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 2021.

[Canada wordmark]