The Mayor of Langley city says it is a relief, at least in the short term, legislative changes to the RCMP Act from Ottawa won’t unionize the force, at least not yet.
“We’re relieved it is isn’t happening in the short term.”
However Peter Fassbender says when the force is unionized it will present a big cost pressure on local governments.
“Because costs aren’t going to go down if the RCMP becomes unionized that is a given I don’t think that there is any chance that costs are going to be lower if they became unionized so we are going to have to cross that bridge when we get to it.”
Fassbender says while RCMP unionization will be costly when it happens the new contract has taken that into consideration.
“In the contract there is a provision that if there are substantive changes to the RCMP, of which unionization would be one, we would be in a position to be able to open the contract again.”
Fassbender says those contract talks would start right away if and when the RCMP unionize.
“There would defintely be an issue about transition and costs during transition and who bears that cost and so on.”
However Fassbender adds the move likely won’t pacify some communities unhappy with the new RCMP deal.
Federal Public Safety Minister Vic Toews says RCMP unionization is delayed due to the matter being tied up in court.
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