Settlement reached in sexual
harassment lawsuits

> RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson announces $100 million in compensation

Lauren Kelly
Editor-in-Chief

 

QO: October 6, the RCMP
offered an official apology
to female officers who have
dealt with sexual harassment,
sexism, and physical or sexual
assault. Commissioner Bob
Paulson held a news conference
to make the announcement,
which included the government
setting aside $100 million to
compensate members of the
force affected by these issues.
“On behalf of every leader,
supervisor or manager, every
commissioner,” Paulson said,
tearing up, “I stand humbly
before you and solemnly offer
you our sincere apology. [...]
You came to the RCMP wanting
to personally contribute to
your community, and we
failed you. We hurt you.
For that, I’m truly sorry.”
Compensation, which has
no cap and will be awarded
in relation to the severity of
each individual’s experiences,
will be handled through an
independent claims process
by retired Supreme Court
Justice Michel Bastarache.
Sexual abuse and
discrimination have long been
a reality for members of the
RCMP, but Paulson has been
working to change this.
In a May 2015 letter to then-

public safety minister Steven
Blaney, Paulson said: “We have
worked hard to understand the
challenges, implement measures
to improve our culture, and
establish a system in which
destructive or discriminatory

behaviours are not tolerated.”
This new agreement shows

that, under Paulson, the RCMP is

moving towards a more respectful

place for officers of both genders.
As part of the agreement,

the RCMP must continue

  

to work towards an equally
respectful and safe workplace
through new initiatives and
increased accountability.

“You can take some comfort
in knowing that you have
made a difference,” Paulson

Clown craze causes mayhem on social media

> Schools and RCMP weigh in on bizarre pranking trend

Mercedes Deutscher
News Editor

 

popular prank, which
involves people dressing up
as creepy clowns and uttering
threats to pedestrians, has
crossed the border and entered
into Metro Vancouver.
Residents, mainly youth
in the Lower Mainland,
have taken to social media
to report their spotting and
encounters with these clowns.
Although the pranksters may
utter threats, there have been
no confirmed injuries or violent
actions beyond the threats.
Still, the threats have been
enough to put school districts
on alert, Notes and newsletters
have been sent to parents in
several school districts.
“Threats of creepy clowns
appearing at schools have now
begun to surface in the North
Vancouver school district,”

Mark Pearmain, North Vancouver
School District superintendent,
wrote in a newsletter. “Uttering
threats against schools for any
reason is unacceptable.”

Pearmain continued: “While
we understand that students
likely believe it is a harmless
prank, it truly is terrifying
for people and can spark
violence. It is also important
that students understand
the significance of uttering
threats against their school.”

The pranks also have the
RCMP on the lookout, with the
Surrey RCMP asking the public to
forward any information on the
bizarre sightings. While dressing
as a clown isn’t illegal, doing so
will make the person wearing
the costume more susceptible
to questioning and detainment
by local authorities. Authorities
are also reminding the public
that attacking the pranksters is
not self-defence, but assault.

a rE F

Image via Vancouver Sun

told the women, represented
by Janet Merlo and Linda
Davidson. “Because of you—
your courage, and your refusal
to be silenced—the RCMP
will never be the same.”

Merlo launched her lawsuit
in March, 2012, after suffering
continued harassment and
discrimination during her 19
years with the force, including
a commanding officer telling
her to “keep [her] fucking legs
closed” when she told him she
was pregnant, Global News
reported. Merlo was joined in
this lawsuit by 500 other women.
Following the announcement,
Merlo spoke, tearing up as she
described the feelings of herself
and the women she represents.

“They all love the RCMP.
They love their jobs, and they
just wanted it to be a better
place to work—a place for their
daughters to [...] have a good
career; a beautiful career.”

Davidson, who has been
in the force for nearly 28 years,
including time spent in the prime
minister’s protective detail,
spoke next. She also endured
continued harassment and sexual
advances during her long career.

“It’s a new beginning.

We are headed in the right
direction. [...] I will continue
to watch things that develop,
and I will continue to stand up
and right the wrongs if I can.”

 

Image via National Post