RCMP Press – CBC – RCMP harassment class action could cover up to 20,000 women
David Klein, a lawyer representing Merlo, said if the settlement is approved at an upcoming hearing, it will be applied at six levels of compensation ranging from $10,000 to $220,000, depending on the severity of the harassment. Klein says women can opt out if they don’t want to be part of the class action.
There will be a settlement approval hearing likely in May of this year, he said, where women can express their support or objection to the settlement. According to Klein, it doesn’t make sense for any of the women to opt out of the case unless they are pursuing their own individual lawsuit.
“This is a good opportunity to receive compensation for the harassment and discrimination they experienced,” he said.
Klein said the feedback from women since October has been positive.
“They were pleased to see RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson make a public apology and the [changes] that the RCMP is making to eliminate gender harassment and discrimination in the force,” he said.
