RCMP lawsuit in court
Women who say they were harassed and discriminated against during their service with the RCMP are in B.C. Supreme Court this week attempting to certify a class action lawsuit against the force.
The certification hearing began Monday and the proposed class action would include 362 current and former officers and civilian employees across the country.
The case was launched in 2012 by Janet Merlo, a 19-year officer with the Nanaimo RCMP who was among the first officers to go public with allegations.
Lawyer David Klein said the common thread among the complainants is harassment, bullying and discrimination over an extended period of time.
More women would be able to join the case if a judge agrees there was a systemic problem and certifies the class action.
New election for doctors
A new election has been ordered for the presidency of Doctors of B.C. after a recount determined the first vote ended in a tie.
Dr. Brian Day, a leading proponent of more private health care, had been declared the winner last week by a single vote.
Officials at Doctors of B.C. (formerly the B.C. Medical Association) said the initial tally failed to count one vote for Day’s challenger Dr. Alan Ruddiman.
The run-off vote between the two takes place from June 5 to 18.
B.C. Health Minister Terry Lake said last week he was unsure whether he could meet with Day as president of the organization because the government is in a court battle with Day’s Cambie Surgical Centre over whether the federal ban on doctors privately billing patients violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Site aids youth ‘aging out’
The province has unveiled a new website designed to help teens in foster care prepare to prepare for life without government support when they turn 19 and “age out” of care.
The site agedout.com was designed by former foster teens to connect with vulnerable youth and showcases services and supports to help make the transition.
It includes videos of former youth in care discussing real world challenges and gaming “quests” where youth earn rewards by completing challenges like renting an apartment, getting a bank account, preparing for a job interview or dealing with an abusive relationship.
“How do I get a job?” “Where am I going to live?” These are the types of questions we all faced when we became adults,” Children and Family Development Minister Stephanie Cadieux said. “But for those in the care in the ministry, the transition can be much more challenging.”
About 700 young people age out of government care each year.