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Canadian Press NewsAlert: Settlement reached in harassment case against RCMP

Jul 8, 2019 | 10:43 AM

VANCOUVER — Lawyers for women who worked or volunteered for the RCMP who experienced gender or sexual harassment may be eligible for compensation under the settlement of a class-action lawsuit.

Lawyers say the total value of the settlement could reach $100 million but that will depend on how many eligible claims are received.

A news release from Klein Lawyers says the settlement includes a confidential independent claims process led by female assessors with eligible payments ranging from $10,000 to $220,000 for a proven claim.

The class-action is subject to approval by the Federal Court, which certified the class-action lawsuit last week.

Angela Bespflug, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, says the settlement is an acknowledgment of the pain experienced by women who were subject to harassment while working or volunteering with the RCMP.

In a statement, RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki says the RCMP has taken steps to improve the way it deals with harassment complaints and she apologized to the three women who were the representative plaintiffs in the case.

 

The Canadian Press