Parties Seek Final Approval of Settlement
VANCOUVER, May 23, 2017 /CNW/ - On Wednesday, May 24, 2017, the Merlo/Davidson class action for women in the RCMP will return to Court for an application to approve a national settlement of the class action. The hearing will be before Madam Justice McDonald at 9:30 am at the Federal Courthouse, 180 Queen Street West, Toronto.
According to David Klein, lead lawyer in the RCMP class action: "After more than two years of negotiations, the parties reached a historic agreement to settle this class action, which concerns gender and sexual orientation based harassment and discrimination of women in the RCMP." Mr. Klein adds that "the settlement covers women who work or worked in the RCMP at any time since September 16, 1974, the date the force swore in its first female recruits".
On October 6, 2016, Commissioner Paulson announced the settlement and issued a public apology to women in the RCMP who experienced workplace harassment or discrimination. The settlement is now being put to the Federal Court for approval. So far, over 1,000 women have come forward to advise that they plan to file claims if the settlement is approved.
Of the lead plaintiff, Janet Merlo, Mr. Klein states: "It took tremendous persistence and bravery by Janet to get to where we are today. We are hopeful that the initiatives in the settlement will help to provide a supportive work environment for women within the RCMP. Klein Lawyers is proud to be a part of this historic moment."
For media interviews, please contact Whitney Santos at [email protected]
David Klein is a pioneer in Canadian class action litigation. A past president of the Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia, he has represented plaintiffs in landmark class actions in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Newfoundland & Labrador. Mr. Klein is included in Best Lawyers in Canada, is described by Benchmark Canada as a local litigation star and was named by ACQ Legal Awards as Gamechanger of the Year (Class Actions).
SOURCE Klein Lawyers
Whitney Santos, (604) 874-7171 or [email protected]
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