Agenda
CPD Accreditation | S: Substantive PM: Practice Management
Pre-Conference Virtual Workshops
Virtual Workshop A
November 9, 2026 | 10:00 am–1:30 pm PT
Misconduct Investigations: Conducting Internal Harassment Investigations of Sworn Officers and Civilian Police Staff
Virtual Workshop B
November 10, 2026 | 10:00 am–1:30 pm PT
Protecting Canada’s Privacy Legislation and
Charter Rights in the Tech Evolution – From Facial Recognition to Drones
Flip through our conference brochure and discover what’s new this year.
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Day 1 — Main Conference
November 12, 2026
Elaine AhnDirector of Legal Services SectionCalgary Police Service
Ryan R. DawodharryDeputy Regional Director and Senior Counsel, British Columbia Regional OfficeJustice Canada
R. Kyle Friesen, O.O.MGeneral Counsel, Legal ServicesSurrey Police Service
Chief Superintendent Wendy Mehat M.O.M.Surrey Provincial Operations Support UnitBC RCMP
Warren DriechelChief of PoliceEdmonton Police Service
Stephen LeeAssistant Commissioner, Federal Policing Pacific RegionRCMP
Nina PatelRegional Director General, Pacific Region, CanadaBorder Services Agency
Mike Procyk M.O.M.Deputy Chief ConstableSurrey Police Service
Harj SidhuChief ConstableDelta Police Department
Brian SimsDeputy Director of Serious and Organized Crime, Public Safety and Solicitor GeneralGovernment of British Columbia
Colin Watson M.O.M.Chief ConstableAbbotsford Police Department
Police are responding to international gang violence in BC. In September 2025, the B.C. Extortion Task Force was created to combat a rise in organize crime, extortion and violence targeting South Asian businesses. At the same time, the Bishnoi gang was listed as an international terrorist organization, giving police authority to freeze or seize the property, vehicles and money.
- Coordinating with law enforcement partners across the province and the country, including border security
- Closing gaps in Canada’s legal system
- Investigating threats to public safety including, extorsion, shootings, organized crime and human trafficking
- Suppressing the violence in affected communities
- Determining linkages between files and establishing investigations series with evidence-based connections
Networking Refreshment Break
Heather MagninAdministrative Crown Counsel, Commercial, Regulatory & Oversight Prosecutions, Criminal Appeals & Special ProsecutionsBC Prosecution Service, Ministry of Attorney General
This session will re-examine whether a police officer has a duty to take notes when responding to a call, as was discussed in the B.C. coroner’s inquest into the death of Myles Gray, 2023. The national rollout of body worn cameras, by police department, raises further questions including the following:
- What constitutes notes, raw BWC recordings
- When is an officer is compelled to take notes during a call for service, after, or how long after
- Notes given to a supervisor, to be used as hearsay and not attributed to a specific officer
- Can notes be used in investigations against the officer, how and when the notes be used against the officer
- The scope of a police officer’s duty to assist (or not assist) an external investigation
- Case law analysis will include:
- Quebec Court of Appeal: 2024 QCCA537, Procureur Général du Québec c. Fédération des Policières municipaux du Québec
- BC Coroners Service 2023 inquest into the death of Myles Thomas Gray
- Wood v. Schaeffer 2013 SCC 71 (CanLII)
- R. v. Schertzer, [2007] O.J. NO. 3560, 2007 CanLII 38577 (ON SC)
- R. v. Calleja, 2012 ONCJ 868, 2012 CarswellOnt 17492 (Westlaw), [2012] O.J. No. 6527 (QL)
- R. v. Sandhu, 2015 ONSC 1679
Jessica BerglundChief Civilian DirectorIndependent Investigation Office of BC
Carly HymanGeneral CounselBritish Columbia's Office of the Human Rights Commissioner
Prabhu RajanCommissionerOffice of the Police Complaint Commissioner
- Review of relevant BC oversight agencies and processes
- Trends in oversight investigations, including recent statistics
- Best practices for working with police departments, unions, community, and other interested parties
- Ensuring optimal fairness and timeliness for investigative and review processes
- Legislative developments in police oversight in BC and elsewhere
- Obligations to provide statements and best practices for obtaining statements
Mathy MulumbaSenior Program/Policy AnalystJustice Canada
Rolandia OkoudjouPolicy AnalystJustice Canada
Ryan R. DawodharryDeputy Regional Director and Senior Counsel, British Columbia Regional OfficeJustice Canada
This session will explore the Government of Canada’s 10-year strategy to combat anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination which has led to an overrepresentation of Black people in the criminal justice system.
- Examining the 10-year plan, including the report entitle The Implementation Plan (the Plan), Toward Transformative Change: an Implementation Plan for Canada’s Black Justice Strategy
- Analysing race-based data, understanding unequal outcomes, within and outside the criminal justice system
- Demonstrating federal leadership with Black communities to remove systemic barriers
Networking Luncheon for Speakers and Delegates
R. Kyle Friesen, O.O.MGeneral Counsel, Legal ServicesSurrey Police Service
Nils PreshawPartnerKornfeld LLP
S/Sgt. Cam StewartNCO i/c Legal Application Support Team (LAST)RCMP E Division HQ
This session will look at the continuing challenge of collecting evidence and holding it until trial.
Part I: Section 490
- A close look at how detention orders are being more strictly enforced under section 490 of the Criminal Code
- Key trends in Charter challenges surrounding section 490 orders
- R. v. Nguyen, 2026 SCC 10 discussions of the decision, impact on s.490 CC applications for police and Crown
- Practical tips regarding applications
Part II: Production Orders and Search Warrants
- The scope of the expectation of privacy for search and seizure
- Clarifying electronic search requirements for searches of items such as smartphones and computers that have been lawfully seized R. v. Vu (2009), R. v. Fearon (2014)
- Production orders and making third-party requests for information, as well as it relates to subscriber account information, with a look at R. v. Spencer (2014) and R v Bykovets (2024)
- Practical tips regarding search and seizure
Part III: Intersection of Asset and Civil Forfeiture and Search and Seizure
- Examining what does Crown need to make a case
- What constitutes proceeds of crime, when is it seized and not returned
Networking Refreshment Break
Elaine AhnDirector of Legal Services SectionCalgary Police Service
Simon AuthierLegal AdvisorVancouver Police Department
CASE ONE: Lawful Arrest Without Warrant
The Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in R. v. Carignan (2025) finds that an accused person can challenge the lawfulness of an arrest without warrant if the arrest does not comply with the limits set out in the Criminal Code.
- Examining the exceptions to arrest without warrant, under Section 495 of the Criminal Code
- Analyzing the Charter Challenge argued in R. v. Carignan (2025)
CASE TWO: Jordan Timeline Breach
The Supreme Court of Canada stayed the proceedings in R. v. Vrbanic (2025). It was argued that the right to a trial within a reasonable time had been breached.
- Examining what constitutes a justifiable delay in trial, and what constitutes exceptional circumstance based on the complexity of the case.
Andrew OhlsonSpecial AgentFederal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Staff Sgt. Damien PearsonSensitive Investigations Unit (SIU), Behavioral Analysis Team (BAT)Calgary Police Service
Inspector Jeff RingelbergOperations officer, Transnational Serious Organized Crime (TSOC) & Clandestine Laboratory Team (CLEAR)RCMP Federal Policing, NorthWest Region – Alberta
This session will look at how Canadian and U.S. law enforcement agencies work together. Requests under the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act.
- Examining the U.S. law enforcement agencies active in Canada, their role and mandate for coordination
- Determining when to communicate with cross-border organizations
- Exploring the legal challenges of information sharing
- Delineating who has jurisdiction, under what circumstances, and how that can change
Closing Remarks from the Co-Chairs
Day 2 — Main Conference
November 13, 2026
Opening Remarks from the Co-Chairs
Shaheen BaberHate Crime Policy OfficerGlasgow City Council, Scotland (UK)Retired Superintendent, Police Scotland
Scotland’s Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 came into effect in April 2024, extending protections for characteristics including age, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity, and variations in sex characteristics. Since implementation, Scotland has seen an increase in reported hate crime incidents, with more than 7,000 charges recorded between 2025 and 2026, a 17% increase on the previous year. This raises important questions about public awareness, reporting confidence, and the longer-term impact of strengthened hate crime legislation.
Canada’s Bill C-9, Combatting Hate Act Legislation, received Royal Assent in June 2026. The proposed bill arises amid increased antisemitism, Islamophobia, homophobia and transphobia, and aims to create greater protection and safety around places of worship, schools and community centres. What can Canada learn from the Scottish experience?
Jessica ThomsonExecutive Director, Corporate ServicesPolice Review Commission (Alberta)
This session will look at a one-year review of Alberta’s new Police Review Commission (PRC) since its inception in December 2025.
- Meeting goals for transparency and efficiency
- Determining how the new process is impacting the professional standards unit in police departments
- Examining the growing pains for implementing the commission and working with police
- Comparing Alberta and BC’s civilian review processes
Networking Refreshment Break
Obligations for McNeil Disclosure of Disciplinary Records: What is Now Expected in the Wake of R. v. McKee
Simon AuthierLegal AdvisorVancouver Police Department
Shannon GerrieCrown Counsel, Deputy Director (Acting)BC Prosecution Service
Jennifer JohnstonVice-PresidentB.C. Crown Counsel Association
This session will address the Supreme Court of Canada’s hearing of R. v. McKee, concerning police disciplinary records being part of a disclosure package. The decision will impact the landmark Supreme Court of Canada decision in R. v. McNeil (2009), which expanded the scope of disclosure in criminal cases by imposing obligations on both the police and Crown prosecutors.
- The scope of police obligations to disclose member disciplinary records to the Crown
- Examining what can and cannot disclosed to prosecution – first-party and third-party disclosure
- Reviewing R. v. McKee (2023) and comparing the landmark decision in R. v. McNeil (2009)
- How McNeil disclosure files impact an officer’s assignment, and the allocation of resources
- Examining expungement, and/or how long an officer remains on the McNeil list
- How far back will police have to change their databases to adhere to the McNeil decision
Interpreting Confidentiality in the Police Act: What You Can Say and When about a Discipline Investigation
Claire HatcherPartnerJohnson Doyle Nelson & Anderson
Counsel
Vancouver Police Union, B.C. Police Association
Insp Lynae ChodatProfessional Standards SectionDelta Police Department
This session will delve into the confidentiality parameters involved in a discipline investigation and the limitations under the Police Act.
- Examining the timelines of a discipline investigation, what determines when a case has concluded and how long confidentiality extends
- Determining who is obligated to keep the confidentiality, including victims, case workers, and how this may vary depending on the case
- Analyzing how confidentiality may differ if an outside police department is investigating
Networking Luncheon
Corruption Investigations Examinations and the Threshold for Laying Breach of Trust Charges against an Officer
Ian BulmerVice-President – Collective BargainingOntario Crown Attorneys' Association
This session will look broadly at police corruption cases in Canada, the legal and operational implications and lessons learned.
- Delineating between Breach of Trust charges and lesser offences, case law review
- Exploring police culture, why someone people raise concerns or don’t, why internal investigations are actioned, or not
- CASE ONE: Former Winnipeg Police Service constable, Elston Bostock, sentenced to seven years in prison following an investigation into selling drugs and other crime.
- CASE TWO: Eight active and retired Toronto Police Service officers were charged during in an organized crime and corruption investigation, in February 2026
Brad FawcettSpecial Provincial ConstableJustice Institute of British Columbia Police Academy
Erin HobdayLegal CounselIndependent Investigations Office of BC
Alexandra RiceSenior CounselPublic Prosecution Service of Canada
- Determining when/if an expert is needed for a case
- Examining what qualifications are necessary to be an “expert witness” and who gets to determine the qualifications
- Identifying what an expert is qualified for, and if they are qualified to write a report on the subject
- Determining if an expert can defend their resume
- Testifying in court
- Debating whether an expert is neutral or bias on a subject
- Analysing what role an expert can play in training officers, such as use-of-force training
- Examining how an expert impacts a case and can an expert change their minds?
Networking break
Hailey FinniganCommunications Manager, Organized Crime Agency of British ColumbiaNew Westminster Police Department
This session will look at the Freedom of Expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication, as set in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and balancing these rights with a police department’s responsibilities.
- Balancing the media’s right to report crime, the public’s right to know and the police duty to protect public safety and maintain the integrity of an investigation
- Determining who is considered a legitimate media representative, or organization, including:
- Weighing the public interest through the lens of news media, social media, digital media including blogs, student or advocacy media
- Gauging the tolerance for borderline legitimate media organizations
- Handling media and public scrutiny, on legal issues
- Determining the necessity for media exclusion zones
Adam NorgetDirector, HR Legal Services & Legal Counsel, Human Resources DivisionEdmonton Police Services
- Determining which employee problems should be handled with HR versus a formal complaint police process • Engaging employees in a complaint-resolution processes
- Managing employees with a transparent, clear processes for employee performance and complaints
- Communicating expectations from the top down, and modeled at the senior level
- Improving relations between civilian employees by sworn members
- Attracting qualified recruits: Bets practices for attracting high-quality candidates and common missteps to avoid
- Competing with other departments for the same recruitment pool
- Training, onboarding and supporting members: Identifying “vanilla training” and leveling-up
- What does an EDI policy look like on paper and in practice