The Hon. Peter Van Loan, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Public Safety
Sir Wilfred Laurier Building, 13th Floor
340 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, ON K1A 0P8
Dear Minister Van Loan,
As you are no doubt aware, many MPs met this week with representatives of the Canadian Police Association (CPA). I had the pleasure of talking to two RCMP officers from my province.
There are four major issues that they have asked me to bring forward on their behalf:
Independent Police Association for the RCMP
The CPA is asking us to act on the decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice rendered on April 6, 2009, which declared the current RCMP labour relations regime to be unconstitutional. It is their hope that Parliament will act in the next 18 months to create legislation that will allow the RCMP to have full collective bargaining rights. The officers I met with asked me to discourage our government from filing an appeal to the Superior Court ruling.
In Light of low morale in the force due to the roll back of their pay package and other factors, I believe it would be a courageous gesture on behalf of our Parliament to support collective bargaining rights for our RCMP officers.
I strongly urge you not to file an appeal, and to work with all parties to bring forth meaningful legislation that will enshrine collective bargaining rights for the men and women of the RCMP
Public Safety Occupation Designation for Public Safety Personnel
The CPA believes that this designation should be extended to the specially trained civilian personnel such as RCMP dispatchers who work hand-in-hand with police officers on a daily basis. For example, I was told that in BC, their job has become even more stressful with the centralization of dispatch services.
Public Safety Officer Compensation Benefit
The CPA believes that the establishment of such a benefit is an appropriate way to recognize the sacrifice made by public safety officers by addressing the financial security of the officer’s family. This is especially applicable in the case of young police officers killed in the line of duty.
Government Promise of at Least 2,500 More Front-Line Police Officers
According to the officers I met with, provincial governments are not necessarily using the federal transfer payments designated for this purpose to hire more officers. In fact, in spite of the $51 Billion allocated to the Province of British Columbia, we are still short 400 – 500 members. In other words, without accountability to the federal government, the transfer money is being used for other purposes. The CPA would like to see a long-term commitment by the federal government to hire more police officers rather than a one-shot deal, as is the case at present.
I thank you in advance for addressing these concerns. Please rest assured that you have my full cooperation in this regard.
Sincerely,
Alex Atamanenko, MP
BC Southern Interior