OTTAWA - Federal ministers promise to appoint a panel of "eminent Canadians" to review controversial elements of the government's RCMP labour-relations bill - if senators pass the legislation in its current form.
In a letter to the Senate committee studying the bill, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale and Treasury Board President Scott Brison say the panel of Canadians would look at the "appropriateness and justification" for excluding certain issues from collective bargaining.
Sen. Larry Campbell, a former Mountie, is among those expressing concerns the bill would deny RCMP members the right to negotiate how the force handles vital matters such as discipline, harassment and equipment needs.
Critics say the highly publicized woes that have plagued the national police force will continue unless rank-and-file members have meaningful input into issues including staffing levels, grievance processes and the promotion system.
In their letter, the ministers say they "fully understand" the concerns and want the RCMP to have a strong, safe and healthy workplace.
Last year, the Supreme Court of Canada affirmed the right of RCMP officers to collective bargaining and gave the government time to create a new labour-relations regime.
Conservative Sen. Daniel Lang, chairman of the security and defence committee, said Wednesday that senators want to hear from additional witnesses - including RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson - before deciding how to proceed.
Senators would like to find out "the reason for the exclusions that are in the bill" and the ramifications, "and that hasn't been clearly stated on the record," Lang said in an interview.
There are "some weaknesses in the bill," and the goal is to pass legislation that will provide for a meaningful collective bargaining process and give members the protections they need, Lang said.
"Sooner is better than later in respect to the legislation, as long as we have legislation that we're satisfied with."
