In advance of the most recent RCMP National Labour Management Committee meeting held on October 2nd, senior union representatives from USJE met with Senior Deputy Commissioner Bryan Larkin to address some issues specific to USJE’s membership.
This meeting on September 29th included USJE National President David Neufeld, Lynette Robinson, National Vice President, RVP, Atlantic (RCMP-Justice-PPSC), Sonia O’Brien-Colterman, RVP, National Capital Region (RCMP), Valda Behrens, RVP Alberta, (RCMP-Justice-PPSC), Zoe Johnston, RVP, British Columbia & Yukon (RCMP-Justice-PPSC), Bella Skalin, RVP, Ontario & NCR (RCMP-PPSC-CSIS-Justice), Annie Blanchette, RVP, Quebec (RCMP–Justice–PPSC–CSC Community–PBC) and Heather McKinnon, RVP, Saskatchewan & Manitoba (RCMP-Justice-PPSC).
National President David Neufeld highlighted USJE’s ongoing efforts to engage with RCMP employees throughout the country as part of its Serving Together campaign. Given the breadth and the depth of the work USJE’s members within the RCMP undertake, USJE has developed its campaign to focus on why investing in the RCMP is the most effective way to protect public safety, and the cohesion of policing operations across Canada.
Following the meeting with Senior Deputy Commissioner Larkin, USJE appealed in writing to the federal Minister of Justice, Sean Fraser, to work with Prime Minister Carney and senior cabinet colleagues to declare their unequivocal support for the RCMP’s role in contract policing across the country, including in Alberta, beyond 2032, when contracts will need to be renewed.
It is clear that the RCMP is continuing to invest and improve its capacity to respond to local needs, where it can, but that the Government of Canada needs to be fully behind a vision for the RCMP where contract policing remains core to its mission for the foreseeable future.
USJE is dedicated to fostering a strong and dynamic relationship with the RCMP in every province and territory where it serves, and to be a champion for the organization’s ability to meet the public safety needs of Canadians.
It is noted that, during this meeting with Senior Deputy Commissioner Larkin, USJE representatives also raised concerns regarding the budget cuts that the RCMP will face as part of the Comprehensive Expenditure Review and how these anticipated cuts are already affecting staffing decisions across the country. Issues around harassment within the RCMP were also raised, and it was identified that USJE representatives are reporting some members are reluctant to file complaints because they are not feeling supported by the organization. In the end, many members end up leaving the RCMP or going on extended leave. Senior Deputy Commissioner advised that he would take these concerns back to the EXCOM level for discussion and thanked the representatives for raising these concerns with him.
USJE wishes to thank the Senior Deputy Commissioner for his time engaging with USJE in the lead up to the National Labour Management Committee meeting held on October 2nd.