Friday, July 11, 2025
ADVT 
National

Top Mountie RCMP Defends Labour Bill, Cites Need For Swift Decision-Making

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Jun, 2016 11:23 AM
  • Top Mountie RCMP Defends Labour Bill, Cites Need For Swift Decision-Making
OTTAWA — A federal labour bill excludes things like Mountie staffing levels and harassment issues from bargaining to ensure management can run the police force free of interference in key matters, says RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson.
 
The ability to adapt to the new realities of a diverse and growing Canada requires timely and innovative approaches to recruiting, training, deployment, promotion, conduct and discipline, he told a Senate committee studying the bill.
 
"The concern is that matters of significant public interest cannot wait the time it takes to resolve them through grievance arbitration," he said Monday. "Nor should they be subjected to a diffused or fragmented responsibility. So, that's why the exclusions."
 
But the top Mountie insisted that doesn't mean the issues in question will be completely off the contract-negotiation table.
 
The RCMP has long had joint committees through which members and staff relations representatives discussed pay and benefits, use of force, equipment purchases and conduct, he noted. 
 
"These committees were the source of important, positive change for the force," Paulson said. "That will continue. Frankly, it must."
 
Last year, the Supreme Court of Canada affirmed the right of RCMP officers to collective bargaining and gave the government time to create a new labour-relations regime. The legislation is a major step in building the system.
 
 
Some senators, including former Mountie Larry Campbell, say the bill concentrates too much power in the commissioner's hands.
 
Campbell suggested Monday striking the list of exclusions from the text and replacing it with a more general affirmation of management rights.
 
Paulson said the RCMP advised the government to include the list of exclusions in the bill to stave off possible criticism that management was "trying to pull a fast one" by hiding them.
 
"But instead of being seen as transparent, the list has drawn heat and light."
 
Paulson applauded a federal promise to appoint a panel of "eminent Canadians" to review controversial elements of the government bill if senators pass the legislation in its current form.

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C., Ontario Expected To Lead Provinces In Economic Growth: Conference Board

B.C., Ontario Expected To Lead Provinces In Economic Growth: Conference Board
OTTAWA — The Conference Board of Canada is predicting Ontario and British Columbia will lead other provinces in terms of economic growth between now and the end of 2017.

B.C., Ontario Expected To Lead Provinces In Economic Growth: Conference Board

Man Charged In Three Deaths, Including A Father And Daughter, To Appear In Court

Man Charged In Three Deaths, Including A Father And Daughter, To Appear In Court
LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — A trial date is expected to be set in Lethbridge today for a southern Alberta man accused of killing three people including a father and his daughter.

Man Charged In Three Deaths, Including A Father And Daughter, To Appear In Court

Justin Trudeau Says 'Reason To Believe' Canadian Hostage Killed In The Philippines

Justin Trudeau Says 'Reason To Believe' Canadian Hostage Killed In The Philippines
OTTAWA — Canada is mourning with the family of a Canadian man killed by a militant group in the Philippines, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today.

Justin Trudeau Says 'Reason To Believe' Canadian Hostage Killed In The Philippines

Sentencing Date To Be Set For Parents Of Toddler Who Died Of Meningitis

David and Collet Stephan, whose family helped start a nutritional supplements company, were convicted by a jury in April in the 2012  death of 19-month-old Ezekiel.

Sentencing Date To Be Set For Parents Of Toddler Who Died Of Meningitis

Challenging Search In B.C.'s Jervis Inlet Ends With Recovery Of Teen's Body

Challenging Search In B.C.'s Jervis Inlet Ends With Recovery Of Teen's Body
Searchers using sonar located the body of the 16-year-old on Friday, two days after he fell into the water. 

Challenging Search In B.C.'s Jervis Inlet Ends With Recovery Of Teen's Body

B.C.'s Youth Representative Wants Inquest Into Police-involved Shooting Death

B.C.'s Youth Representative Wants Inquest Into Police-involved Shooting Death
VICTORIA — British Columbia's representative for children and youth is calling for an inquest into the police-involved shooting death of a young Victoria man.

B.C.'s Youth Representative Wants Inquest Into Police-involved Shooting Death