- Born
- August 23, 1951 — Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Education
- Education degree; Law degree from the University of British Columbia; Doctor of Laws honorary degree from Simon Fraser University
- Career
- 21st commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) from December 2006 to June 2007; Deputy Commissioner for the Pacific Region (2000–2006); Head of British Columbia's Organized Crime Agency (1999–2000)
- Political Experience
- Appointed to the Senate of Canada on September 24, 2018
- Notable
- First woman to hold the position of commissioner of the RCMP.
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before being appointed to the Senate, Bev Busson had a long and distinguished career in law enforcement. She spent over 30 years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), rising through the ranks to become the first woman to be appointed as a commanding officer of an RCMP division (in Saskatchewan). She later served as the interim Commissioner of the RCMP from 2006 to 2007, becoming the first woman to hold the top position in the national police force. After retiring from the RCMP, she was reportedly involved in various advisory roles and reviews related to policing and security. For example, she was appointed as a member of the Prime Minister's Advisory Council on National Security. She has also served on the board of directors for organizations such as the Canadian Police College.
Key Relationships & Connections
Bev Busson was appointed to the Senate in 2018 by Governor General Julie Payette on the recommendation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Her appointment was part of a process that uses an independent advisory board to recommend candidates based on merit. As a former head of the RCMP, she has extensive professional connections within Canada's law enforcement and national security communities.
Public Controversies
A notable public controversy involving Bev Busson arose from her role in a report reviewing the RCMP's response to the 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia. Busson, along with two other former police officers, co-authored an independent review that was commissioned by the Nova Scotia government. The report was criticized by some of the victims' families and legal experts for a perceived lack of independence and for not being critical enough of the RCMP's actions during the tragedy. This criticism contributed to public pressure that ultimately led to the federal and provincial governments calling a full public inquiry, known as the Mass Casualty Commission.