Lawyers are in a B.C. courtroom Tuesday to argue that a lawsuit filed by a female RCMP officer should be declared a class-action and go before a judge.
The suit, brought forward by RCMP veteran Janet Merlo, alleges that she and other female members faced gender-based discrimination and the force failed to do anything about it. The women allege they were bullied and harassed on the job.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
Merlo’s lawsuit is just one of a number that the RCMP is facing that allege harassment or sexual abuse within the force.
Cpl. Catherine Galliford, a former RCMP spokesperson in Vancouver who was a very public face of the force during the Air India and Robert Pickton cases, filed a lawsuit last year alleging she was subject to years of abuse. Const. Karen Katz has filed two lawsuits: one in which she alleges she was harassed and sexually assaulted by a colleague, and another in which she alleges abuse that spanned her career.
The RCMP has issued denials in several of the cases.
An internal report released last year found that gender-based harassment was common among female officers who participated in the study. The Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP made several recommendations for changing the way the force handles internal grievances about harassment, including making the process more independent, imposing strict timelines for dealing with allegations, and relevant training for all members of the force.
In response to that report, Deputy Commissioner Craig Callens announced that the Mounties would establish an investigative team devoted solely to harassment complaints.
On Monday, RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson told a Senate committee probing harassment and bullying that the force is making several changes in order to address and eradicate abuse of all kinds.
“The vast majority of my members and employees are out there every day, every night, all the time, busting their humps at delivering a safe Canada for Canadians because they love the work and they love this country," Paulson said.
"These are the people I'm beholden to. And these are the people that deserve a respectful, supportive and enabling workplace."
At the committee hearing, Paulson did, however, criticize some members who have gone public with their allegations.
“We are progressing, honourable senators, believe me. But like any workforce or workplace, we have people who, for one reason or another, will not get on board with the mission of the organization and are looking for easy street," Paulson said.
"I can't be continually defending against outlandish claims that have not been tested or established, but yet are being put forward as though they are gospel and representative of the modern workplace experience of the RCMP, because they are not."
