At the invitation of National President David Neufeld, Jasmin Breton, Chief Human Resource Officer from the RCMP came to address USJE’s National Executive as part of USJE’s semi-annual National Executive meetings in Ottawa.
Mr. Breton offered opening remarks where he emphasized the importance of building strong relationships and ensuring that all employees within the RCMP family feel valued. He spoke of his long-standing affiliation with the RCMP and how enthusiastic he was about returning to the RCMP after a short retirement where he served as a reservist. Mr. Breton oversees 9 business lines that each have their own complexity and challenges.
Following comments from President Neufeld about the very positive and constructive relationship that USJE and the RCMP’s new Commissioner, Mr. Mike Duheme, have fostered over the last 18 months, Mr. Breton noted that he is committed to ensuring an open and active dialogue with USJE.
It was obvious that Mr. Breton understands the crucial role that USJE’s RVPs play as advocates for the thousands of RCMP employees represented by USJE. Mr. Neufeld also took the opportunity to express his appreciation for the commitment by the Commissioner to hold the substantive positions of USJE’s RVPs for the duration of their electoral terms. This represents a major turning point in terms of the relationship between the RCMP and USJE and signifies the value that the RCMP is beginning to place on USJE’s major role in representing RCMP USJE members and their experiences.
Regional Vice Presidents had the opportunity to highlight a number of issues. These include:
- ensuring better support for RCMP public service employees who have incurred a mental health injury and do not receive the treatment or understanding required so that they can return to the workplace healthy, including access to presumptive injury coverage.
- The need for a “Disability Management System” for public service employees, similar to what is provided to Regular Members. This system would assist USJE members with “return to work” and “duty to accommodate” situations.
- more education on bullying and harassment, particularly given the fact that the role of public service employees and the conditions of their work are not always well understand by all senior managers;
- the difficulties encountered by USJE members who have disabilities and are applying for internal competitions;
- the ongoing challenges with job classifications;
- the need to train managers and supervisors on the role of all of USJE’s members, including but not limited to Detachment Services Assistants (DSAs) and the thousands of other members who comprise the operational backbone of the RCMP; and
- the importance of a comprehensive onboarding program for DSAs, among others public service employees in the RCMP family;
- The creation of a “Detachment Services Assistant Policy Centre” to create consistency in the application of policy and procedure among the DSAs across the country.
- the value of having access to senior management within the RCMP to discuss issues important to USJE members.
Mr. Breton thanked USJE for the invitation to share his perspective and be formally introduced to all the RCMP RVPs for a preliminary conversation.
BACKGROUND
Jasmin Breton serves as Chief Human Resources Officer for the RCMP. In this role, he is responsible for many areas that directly support frontline policing. This includes pay, health care benefits, harassment prevention, respectful workplace programs, learning and development and official languages. He also oversees the administration of the RCMP Academy in Regina, Saskatchewan. Jasmin joined the RCMP in 1989 and was first posted to Saskatchewan where he served in various roles including General Duty, Highway Patrol and First Nations Policing.
He transferred to the RCMP Academy in 2001, where he shifted his focus to career development. In 2005, Jasmin was appointed Sergeant Major. In 2009, he moved to Ottawa, Ontario, and was appointed to Inspector Officer in Charge of the Performance Centre for Ontario and Quebec.
While posted at National Headquarters in Ottawa, Jasmin was promoted to Superintendent in 2012 and took on the position of Career Development and Resourcing Officer. He also occupied positions in Executive/Officer Development and Resourcing and as the Director of the Police Sciences School at the Canadian Police College.
In 2016, Jasmin was appointed to Chief Superintendent and assumed the role of Director General of the Workplace Responsibility Branch. In 2018, he was promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner as the Commanding Officer of Depot Division. In 2020, he assumed the role of the Chief Learning Officer for the RCMP. In 2022, Jasmin retired from the Royal Canadian Mounted with over 32 years of service.
Jasmin returned to the RCMP in 2024 to take on the role of Chief Human Resources Officer.
Jasmin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, Bachelor of Education degree and a Master’s degree in Education. He and his wife Jodi have two adult children. He enjoys travelling and continues to be active in many sports including tennis, golf and hockey.