[加拿大新聞] New RCMP commissioner to deal with sex harassment claims - Harper government job, government

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New RCMP commissioner to deal with sex harassment claims - Harper government

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/RCMP+commissioner+deal+with+harassment+claims+Harper+government/5708591/story.html#ixzz1dmmT2BPd

OTTAWA — The next RCMP commissioner will be immediately tasked with the job of dealing with sexual harassment claims which, according to opposition MPs, reflect a "systemic" problem within the national police force, the Harper government said Monday.

"We in the government are very concerned about these reports," Defence Minister Peter MacKay said during question period.

"In fact, we expect that the new RCMP commissioner will be seized with this issue immediately."

MacKay said the government has a "zero tolerance" harassment policy with respect to all employees.

The government is in the process of assessing a shortlist of candidates to replace William Elliott.

Opposition MPs said recent allegations suggest a widespread problem in the force.

"This is now a systemic issue. It's not just one officer complaining," interim Liberal leader Bob Rae told the House of Commons.

The RCMP's reputation suffered a blow last week when Catherine Galliford, a former spokeswoman for the Mounties in B.C. who has been on sick leave since 2007, said she suffered sexual harassment from senior officers for years.

That was followed by the disclosure from another former female RCMP officer, Krista Carle, who said she was constantly harassed sexually by male colleagues during her 20-year career.

Carle started with the Alberta RCMP in 1991 and said she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in 2004. She applied for medical discharge in 2009 due to stress.

A criminology professor last week challenged the government's claims the RCMP has a "zero-tolerance" policy.

"I don't buy it as a member of the public and as a person who works in the criminal justice system," said Darryl Davies, a former parole officer who now teaches at Ottawa's Carleton University.

"There should be a public inquiry or a commission set up. I know it sounds bureaucratic, but we need to get to the root of the problems, which are clearly systemic in the force."