Women members of the RCMP have taken their first step in a class action lawsuit against the Canada’s police force.
RCMP Const. Janet Merlo filed the lawsuit in British Columbia Tuesday at the Supreme Court of Justice. The class action lawsuit covers RCMP divisions across the country, including Thunder Bay.
Merlo told media the claim describes sexist comments, sexual pranks, derogatory remarks, and double standard that she endured during her 20 years with the RCMP.
“It’s too late for me,” said Merlo in a statement released to media Tuesday.
“I hope that this lawsuit will bring about some positive change for women who are still with the RCMP and women who join in the future.”
Thunder Bay lawyer Sandy Zaitzeff has partnered with the Vancouver office of Klein Lyons in order to take on this case.
He said he`ll be looking after claims from the Manitoba boarder Eastward.
He added that the filing was the first step toward getting justice.
“This is what the women wanted,” Zaitzeff said. “The first thing they wanted was that their story would be told. Step is asking for serious and real change within the RCMP to make it a better work environment.
“We have three local clients one of which has worked at the (Thunder Bay) office. The other two worked in other offices across Canada.”
So far, both law firms have contacted nearly 160 current and former RCMP members across Canada and in the North West Territories.
The lawsuit is still open for women to join.
The next step in the class action is an official certification, which could take anywhere from six months to two years, he said.
