OTTAWA — Former auditor general Sheila Fraser has studied four civil suits filed against the RCMP over harassment claims. The highlights of her recommendations:
— The government should consider creating a management board to oversee and monitor required organizational changes within the national force.
— An independent harassment unit should be set up under the direction of a central authority at RCMP national headquarters. It should be led by and consist mainly of people with expertise in such issues, not members of the RCMP.
— There should be an independent review of the RCMP grievance process to determine the extent to which recent changes to the process have improved its timeliness and its effectiveness as a redress system.
—There should also be an independent review of RCMP health services and serious consideration given to having health services delivered by an independent external party or parties.
(Source: Review of four cases of civil litigation against the RCMP on workplace harassment, Report to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness)
The Canadian Press
