Judge urged to approve class action RCMP deal

Women who were harassed could receive up to $220,000

TORONTO— Two women who endured years of sexual harassment as RCMP employees expressed mixed emotions as a landmark class-action suit against the force edged toward final court approval Wednesday.

Speaking after a settlement hearing, the women expressed hope their long battle would pave the way for a more hospitable RCMP workplace. “It’s not a happy day based upon the fact that we’ve had to take this action to get change,” said Linda Davidson, one of the representative plaintiffs.

Davidson and fellow plaintiff Janet Merlo were among a few dozen women who sat in the courtroom as lawyers urged Federal Court Judge Ann Marie McDonald to sign off on the agreement in the case.

The deal, which the government did not oppose, would see current and former female employees who were harassed each receive at least $10,000 and as much as $220,000.

The settlement also calls on the RCMP to fight harassment within its ranks. Although the government has not admitted wrongdoing, RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson apologized publicly last October for what the women had endured.

However, both Merlo and Davidson said they have begun to doubt his sincerity in light of recent damning reports about harassment in the force. As many as 20,000 RCMP employees are potentially eligible for compensation. McDonald said she would rule “very shortly.”

According to the agreement, women eligible for the most compensation suffered ongoing intimidation and bullying, forced penetrative sex acts and other egregious harassment that resulted in suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide, sexual dysfunction or the inability to work.