Dhaliwal slams wrong-headed cut to RCMP pay

SURREY-The government’s decision to break its word on compensation to the RCMP is wrong-headed for public safety and the future of the force, Member of Parliament Sukh Dhaliwal said today.

“The Conservative government has once again broken its word on wage increases for the RCMP. This short-sighted decision undermines the moral of the force and its efforts to recruit and retain the best and the brightest to serve our communities,” Dhaliwal said.

“There is already a substantial gap between the pay of an RCMP officer and other police forces. In Surrey, a rookie officer receives nearly $10,000 less per year than he would in Delta. It is completely irresponsible to widen that gap.”

Last June the Treasury Board established a pay package for the RCMP that included a 3.5 percent wage increase in 2009. Yet, on December 11th, the increase was unilaterally rolled back to 1.5 percent. Dhaliwal has since met with the local RCMP Staff Relations representative and has received many letters from local officers regarding the cut. By law, RCMP members are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Their contract is determined solely by the Treasury Board.

“There is great disappointment at this decision from officers from my community. Some are now looking at leaving the force early, while others are exploring options with municipal police forces. These officers are committed to serving with honesty, integrity and accountability; it is outrageous that this government does not see fit to treat them the same way,” Dhaliwal said.

Public Safety Minister Peter van Loan and Treasury Board President Vic Toews have declined to publicly comment on the reversal.

“Conservative Ministers are ducking for cover when they should be showing leadership on this issue. The government should not be making these decisions without consultation with those who will be affected by them. I urge them to immediately review this backwards move,” Dhaliwal concluded.

Sukh Dhaliwal is the Chair of the Official Opposition Northern and Western Caucus, the Critic for the Asia Pacific Gateway and Sport, and the Member of Parliament for Newton-North Delta.

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