On July 23, 2015, RCMP members received a message from Steven Blaney, former Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, inviting them to offer their comments on the creation of a new framework for employee relations within the RCMP. This came in the wake of the Supreme Court of Canada’s January 16, 2015 decision. The minister said the former Tory government would hold consultation meetings with rank-and-file RCMP members through a confidential and anonymous online poll and regional discussions that would be led by Alain Jolicoeur, former president of the RCMP Pay Council. While this message was addressed solely to regular members, we believe civilian employees of the RCMP must also be part of the process, as they play an integral part in this large organization.

To help you understand the importance of this matter, we have attached a copy of Bill S-23, which was presented in 2003 by the late Senator Pierre Claude Nolin. Bill S-23 proposed a labour relations model for the RCMP that respected the rights of employees in their relationship with management. Unfortunately, Bill S-23 never saw the light of day, but it emphasized a system that embraced strict rules of transparency and independence regarding the RCMP’s representation and the mechanisms surrounding work conflicts that could arise from everyday employee-management relations or through grievances. Access to arbitration and even recourse against unfair labour practices were clearly identified.

That is why we believe it is not necessary to reinvent the wheel, but rather reassure you that you have access to the best tools of representation that will allow you to do your work professionally with the certainty that you will be treated fairly and equitably before, during and after you perform your professional duties.

Senator Nolin had the greatest respect for RCMP members. Furthermore, he firmly believed in the principles of equality and the fundamental protection of RCMP members’ rights as they went about performing their duties to serve and protect. Mr. Nolin was concerned about labour relations within the RCMP, and about the abuse of power and unfair labour practices. He was committed to introducing corrective measures long before the Supreme Court of Canada rendered its landmark decision in January 2015. He was a visionary, a man who saw a brighter future for RCMP officers. It is unfortunate that his passing would prevent him from witnessing the fulfillment of one of his greatest dreams.

Having said that, we recommend that you write to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and urge him to turn to Senator Nolin’s Bill S-23 as the mechanism you want in place to protect your rights (please do not forget to attach a copy of Bill S-23). This mechanism guarantees accountability on the part of the government, the Treasury Board, and RCMP management, while pushing for elected, independent representatives and your participation. This, we believe, meets the obligations brought forward by the honourable judges of the Supreme Court of Canada.

To learn more about Bill S-23, click on the following links:

http://www.parl.gc.ca/LegisInfo/BillDetails.aspx?billId=4772599&Mode=1&Language=F (français)

http://www.parl.gc.ca/LegisInfo/BillDetails.aspx?billId=4772599&Language=E&Mode=1 (anglais)

To send your comments to Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness:

269 Laurier Ave. West,
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0P8

You can also email your comments and opinions to the RCMP Pay Council: Pay_Council@rcmp-grc.gc.ca