Jessy Edwards  |  March 24, 2022

Category: Labor & Employment

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RCMP lawsuit
(Photo Credit: Darlene Munro/Shutterstock)

Update:

  • The Supreme Court of Canada rejected the Canadian federal government’s appeal to dismiss the class action lawsuit that alleges widespread abuse among the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
  • The appeal, led by the Attorney General of Canada, argued to the court that RCMP members’ claims of harassment and bullying could be addressed through internal Code of Conduct investigations or grievance or harassment complaints.
  • CBC reports the plaintiffs’ lawyer Megan McPhee says her “clients are needless to say thrilled with the court’s decision and look forward to moving ahead.” RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki said in a statement that she respects the decision and that she “recognize[s] there is always more we can do to improve our workplace.”

RCMP Bullying Culture Class Action Lawsuit Overview:

  • Who: A federal judge gave the green light to a class action lawsuit lodged against the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and government. 
  • What: A $1.1 billion lawsuit lodged against the RCMP and alleging systemic bullying and harassment can go ahead, a judge has ruled
  • Where: Canada

(09/28/2021)

The Crown can’t shake a $1.1 billion lawsuit alleging a culture of bullying and harassment within the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) just yet, a judge has ruled. 

Last week, a Federal Court of Appeal judge dismissed Crown arguments to throw out the class action case against it. Government lawyers argued internal remedies to deal with bullying within the RCMP were sufficient. However, the judge dismissed the motion, allowing the class action to proceed, CBC reported.

The initial complaint was filed in 2018, and alleged that due to the toxic workplace, those who were subject to bullying, intimidation, and harassment within the RCMP’s ranks were unable to report problems through the chain of command. The lawsuit alleges that those in charge of dealing with complaints were either complicit in the alleged complaints, or helped cover them up. 

Former Drug Officer Claims Corruption Report Prompted Backlash in RCMP Lawsuit 

Lead plaintiff Geoffrey Greenwood said he was the victim of backlash, bullying and ostracization after reporting claims of bribery and corruption among his fellow drug officers.

“I ended up kind of leaving a shell of a person,” he told CBC. “Your whole character is torn apart and stripped down and you’re villainized.” Greenwood said he suffered PTSD as a result.

The lawsuit claims victims of the toxic work environment suffered from both physical and emotional injuries including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. 

The plaintiffs also claim their careers suffered because they lost promotions and early retirement opportunities from direct and indirect retaliatory actions against them.

The RCMP class action lawsuit is certified at $1.1 billion. The plaintiffs are seeking damages and allege that the RCMP violated its statutory, contractual, and common law duties to Class Members.

What do you think about the allegations of a toxic workplace environment in the RCMP class action lawsuit? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

The plaintiffs and certified Class are represented by Megan B. McPhee, Won J. Kim, Rachael Sider and Aris Gyamfi of Kim Spencer McPhee Barristers P.C.

The RCMP Class Action Lawsuit is Geoffrey Greenwood, et al. v. Her Majesty the Queen, Case No. T-1201-18 in Toronto Federal Court, Canada.


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9 thoughts on$1.1B Class Action Lawsuit Alleging RCMP ‘Systemic Negligence,’ Bullying Plagues the Crown

  1. Lynn says:

    The RCMP think they can get away with whatever they want whenever they want
    They retaliate, because charges were dropped in a legal battle years ago and they have been following me in every province and City i travel to and sneaking cameras into my home to taking pictures and videos of myself and family. I am very shocked at their ignorance and lack of respect they have for others let alone themselves showing a lack of professionalism and that we as Canadian tax payers, pay for their salary for this kind of shocking, immature behavior… It seems to me many of them have serious mental illnesses that have not been addressed. Maybe they dont get the counseling or care because its way beyond their comprehension to do so. Its my understanding that many of these officers have no formal education other than high school prior to becoming officers. They are just illustrating how badly this force needs help. I’m sure I’m not the only one they harass…oh and the military are right on board with them as well as the old retired officers… I’m not afraid to take legal action and if a lawyer does see this post and would like to comment or contact me please feel free.

  2. Federal Public Service employee says:

    What about the horrendous treatment against the Federal Public Service employees within the RCMP!!! They should have their voices hears, and not just through their union but through this Class Action Lawsuit as well, but they are not welcomed in this process. Why?

    1. SA says:

      I agree That PSEs should be included or have their own class action lawsuit. I’m sure there is many. Waiting over two years to have a complaint heard is ridiculous. Being displaced from your position waiting for case to be heard is painful.

    2. Harvey Chrunik says:

      Yes I agree totally, seems as such the only people able to make a legal claim are the abusers themselves. Absolutely shameful that the RCMP is still hiding the abuse.

  3. Frank de smet says:

    Good to keep up on this RCMP and Military issues. Sex assaults etc..

  4. Stephanie says:

    They falsify reports fabricate charges use gender transitions to make you a worse person they lie in court and the one that does tell the truth is ignored they torture people put into their care and breach evidence protocols and even you are left with no way to fight back because the same police stations who are under investigation investigate themselfs the complaints department is a joke allowing that and even when it reaches their bosses they cover it up and say well she says he says and since no one knows I’m dismissing it it’s correct as fuck they took my whole life and threw me in jail destroying the evidence that would of freed me they are pieces of shit plain and simple and I’m glad their gona be held accountable

    Are civilians allowed to get onto this lawsuit for what they’ve done to all of us it’s not just their own

  5. Gerald Moores says:

    The culture of harassment and bullying is widely tolerated within the RCMP. Thus members continually see problematic behaviours normalized, and not subjected to disciplinary correction.

    A consequence of this failure is that members of the public then often become the focus of the bullies created, tolerated and protected within the Force.

    As a citizen I was one of the victims of this failure of the RCMP to react with appropriate corrective action and criminal charges . And I found that the police investigating the police is a process that inevitably ends in lies, delays and injustice.

    I have a record of documents and notes that clearly indicate that first and foremost the approach of the RCMP is one of !denial in the face of irrefutable evidence. My complaint to the Commissioner herself found its way to a line supervisor. He characterized a threatening and profane public attack on me, a near 80 year old senior, as not falling within the RCMP system of ethics or Code of Conduct. He arrived at this conclusion in spite of the fact that my assailants had no role whatsoever, except as witnesses, in the matter which ignited their attack on me.

    Clearly,the RCMP have a long way to go in restoring their tarnished reputation. A restoration of their former esteem in the eyes of many Canadians begins with internal acceptance and correction of their current behavioral shortfalls. Truth and discipline must again become valued aspects of their work.

  6. Albert says:

    I am a retired aboriginal RCMP officer. I’ve seen felt and witnessed myself and towards me my entire career abuse,racism,harassment,threats and physical violence toward myself while working and against other rcmp officers. There are more aboriginal members that have had to retire early and quit because of this abuse and racism towards aboriginal members and aboriginal people. I was threatened and bullied and physical abuse from my superiors. I have witnesses and dr notes to account and my notes I made during my career.

  7. Mitchell MacCallum says:

    They’re assholes to civilians too… they come to the house and I tell them they got a safety problem at the hospital… and they park behind ya like it’s not normal…

    And they don’t really care about civilian safety. Maybe in a conventional manner. Health &safety? No

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