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A national class-action lawsuit against RCMP has been certified by the Federal Court of Canada.
The certification on Sept. 20 followed the Supreme Court of Canada’s dismissal of Canada’s leave to appeal application.
The court challenge seeks damages on behalf of current and former RCMP members and reservists who worked between January 1995 and the date of an applicable collective agreement.
Veteran Mounties Geoffrey Greenwood and Todd Gray allege that a culture of systemic bullying, intimidation and harassment affected all who worked for the national force.
They also claim that by “allowing this culture to manifest and permeate the organization from its highest levels,” the RCMP failed to fulfil its duties to provide a work environment free of bullying, intimidation and harassment.
The RCMP have denied the allegations, which have yet to be proven in court. The lawsuit reportedly seeks more than $1.1 billion.
“There is no room for harassment, bullying and intimidation in the RCMP,” said a news release from the police force.
“It is incumbent on every employee to come forward and speak out against this behaviour, and for our leaders and supervisors to take immediate action to stop it.”
Eligible members will automatically be included in the class action unless they opt out by Nov. 23, 2022.
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