Mr. Speaker, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police deserve a fair deal from this government. Under present law, RCMP personnel are unable to voice their concerns or grievances through a police association.
The Reform Party recognizes that RCMP officers should have the right to organize democratically and bargain collectively. This means that officers should be able to do so through voluntary membership in a police association. To those officers who want to bargain collectively, Reform applauds your efforts.
Reform also recognizes that the RCMP wants real freedom of association. To those officers who feel their concerns are best addressed individually, Reform supports your right to opt out of compulsory union membership. We support your right to work.
I say to the RCMP officers in the gallery, on the Hill here this week or out in the communities, your concerns are not falling on deaf ears.
Reform challenges the solicitor general to act now. Give RCMP officers a fair deal.