RCMP suit now in hands of judge

CLASS ACTION

would then have months to make a claim.

Merlo, now of St. John’s, N.L., was an RCMP constable from 1991 to 2010. She suffered many negative health affects, including depression and panic attacks, due to her mistreatment, court heard. She began her claim in B.C. in 2012.

Davidson, 58, now of Bracebridge, Ont., filed her suit in 2015 in Ontario. Starting in 1985, she became one of the few females to reach a commissioned officer’s rank. She was an inspector when she took medical leave in 2009, suffering from anxiety, depression and other health issues as a result of the sexual and gender-orientation harassment she faced from colleagues and superiors. Davidson retired in 2012, more than a decade earlier than planned, court heard.

The proposed class action combines the two women’s separate lawsuits.

In May last year, the two sides reached a tentative agreement to compensate women who experienced workplace sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination while working for the RCMP as police officers or civilians from 1974 on. Details were announced in October, when Commissioner Bob Paulson apologized for having failed the women.

The proposed settlement creates six categories of claimants.

Those who suffered the most egregious abuse would be eligible for up to $220,000. In some cases, family members of the RCMP employees would also be eligible for cash. six