A look at how the historic RCMP apology happened
PAULSON WANTED TIMING TO BE RIGHT
DOUGLAS QUAN IAN MACLEOD AND The issue dogged Bob Paulson from the day he was appointed RCMP commissioner in 2011: how to stamp out pervasive allegations of harassment and discrimination against women in the force.
Despite taking several steps — developing a “Gender and Respect” action plan, inviting the RCMP civilian watchdog to investigate how the force handled workplace harassment, setting new hiring and promotion targets and revising the force’s harassment policy — it seemed like it was never enough.
In July 2013, several of his senior advisers suggested bolder action: a public apology. They presented to him a briefing document titled: “Regimental Apology: Advice to the Commissioner.”
But after talking it over with senior staff, Paulson shelved the idea. He felt the timing wasn’t right. There was still the matter of a proposed class-action lawsuit that was drawing hundreds of women. He wanted the apology to be paired with a resolution on compensation.
“It was about being in the right place, the right mindset,” said Angela Workman-Stark, a former chief superintendent who was involved in the discussions. “He wanted it to be meaningful. He didn’t want it to be empty words. … It was a good call.”
At the start of this year, discussions ramped up as the force faced a second proposed class-action lawsuit alleging systemic harassment. Paulson sat down with his new political boss, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale, and was told it was time to “deal with it.”
“I think the commissioner understood, absolutely, that this is something that both the prime minister and I took very seriously and my impression was that he did, too,” Goodale said.
“We have a plethora of lawsuits, we have ongoing incidents, we have skepticism about how the situation had evolved over time. … I wanted to underscore to him that from the perspective of a new government this was something that had to move and had to move quickly.”
A government official later clarified that the minister did not order a resolution. The government did make it clear, however, it wasn’t prepared to send out litigators to fight these cases in court.
“It was clear which way the winds were blowing,” the official said.
The discussions culminated Thursday with Paulson standing at a podium in Ottawa, visibly shaken, and offering in plain language his “sincere apology” to all the women in the force who had been wronged.
“You came to the RCMP wanting to personally contribute to your community and we failed you. We hurt you. For that, I am truly sorry,” Paulson said.
“You can now take some comfort in knowing that you have made a difference. Because of you, your courage and your refusal to be silenced, the RCMP will never be the same.”
To his left, Linda Davidson and Janet Merlo, the lead plaintiffs in the proposed lawsuits, held hands and fought back tears.
Paulson then apologized to all Canadians for having to witness some “very public and shameful examples of disgraceful conduct within our ranks.”
“I thought it was a pretty classy apology,” said Linda Duxbury, a Carleton University management professor who has studied the culture of the force. “He didn’t couch it.”
Coupled with the apology was an announcement that the government will set aside $100 million for compensation.
When the request was made to the Treasury Board, “there was no balking at the number,” the government source said. “The imperative was to have funds available.”
Once the Federal Court approves the settlement, every female member, past or present, who was harassed, bullied or discriminated against, will have six months to apply for damages. As many as 1,000 women are expected to file claims. Payouts will depend on the severity of their injuries.
Compensation will range from $10,000 for minimal injuries up to $220,000 for severe injuries. The process will be overseen by Michel Bastarache, a former justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. Those with more serious claims will be interviewed. His decisions will be final.
There is no cap on the final payout, said David Klein, one of the lawyers representing the women.
“All women who come forward with claims will be paid,” he said.
Merlo, who has said she endured bullying and crude jokes over much of her 20-year career as a constable, called it a “great day” for women in the RCMP and “the beginning of a new era.”
Davidson, a 27-year veteran and retired inspector, who has said that years of bullying and belittling from male officers had left her mentally anguished and even suicidal, embraced Paulson.
“It takes a great person to acknowledge what went wrong,” she said.
However, questions remain about whether the force can achieve real change. “Culture change is so difficult. It’s like how do you bottle smoke?” Duxbury said.
Asked what the force was doing to deal with perpetrators of harassment or discrimination, Paulson said mechanisms are now in place.
“Rest assured, the fist of God will descend upon the people.”