Canadians support promised wage increase for RCMP members
Only one in four support the government roll-back
(OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 12, 2009) - A majority of Canadians support a plan to ensure RCMP members receive either a previously agreed wage increase or a further wage increase in 2009 according to a new national poll. Of note, only one in four Canadians support the government’s actions.
“Canadians have made it clear that they feel the rolling back of a previously agreed-upon wage increase will have a significant impact on public safety,” says S/Sgt. Brian Roach, National Executive with the Staff Relations Representative Program.
“Canadians understand that a wage rollback is going to make it difficult to recruit urgently needed new RCMP members and retain experienced members.”
The Harper government committed to tackling crime by strengthening Canadian police forces like the RCMP. By taking the unprecedented step of rolling back an agreed-upon wage increase for the RCMP, this government risks creating long-term challenges for bolstering public safety across Canada.
The Harper government’s decision, announced in mid-December, to renege on its previous commitment, is yet another blow to the Force which has been struggling to recruit new members. The survey showed that 43 per cent of Canadians felt that the wage rollback would have a negative impact on recruiting and nearly 40 per cent thought it would negatively affect retention of members in the Force, which has been losing many to retirement in recent years and will continue to do so.
“It is significant that only one out of every four Canadians support the government’s action to roll-back the promised wage increase,” says Nanos Research President, Nik Nanos. “Even committed Conservative voters do not agree with the government. However at this point in time only 15 per cent of Canadians are aware of this issue.”
Conservative voters and voters in Atlantic Canada, Quebec and Western Canada were supportive of a plan to ensure the government lived up to the letter and spirit of the signed wage agreement with RCMP members.
“To protect the integrity of Canadian public safety, frontline RCMP members ask only that the existing, signed agreement be allowed to stand,” says Roach. “In full recognition of the serious economic challenges we face as a country, the men and women of the RCMP are committed to abide by the letter and the spirit of that agreement for the next two years.”
The poll is available at www.CallForBackup.ca, a website where over 8,500 individuals have signed an online petition and more than 2,000 letters to M.P.s have been sent supporting RCMP members affected by the wage rollback.
The random telephone survey of 1,003 Canadians was conducted by Nanos Research, between January 3 and January 7, 2009. The margin of accuracy for a sample of 1,003 is ±3.1%, 19 times out of 20.
- 30 -
For more information contact:
Brian Roach, National Executive Bob Meredith, National Executive
Staff Relations Representative Program Staff Relations Representative Program
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Royal Canadian Mounted Police
1-204-984-3928 1 780-412-5880
For more information on the poll contact:
Nik Nanos, President & CEO
Nanos Research
www.nanosresearch.com
*For the full poll results, please click here.
Displaying 20 Comments
I have several RCMP officers in my family and not only am I very proud of them, but the rest of my family are also very proud of them. They, along with all the other members of the RCMP, put their lives on the line every day to ensure our safety and the safety of visitors be they dignitaries or not. It is shameful and disrespectful to roll back their wages. The government needs to rethink this slap in the face!
At a time when we need all the support and protection we can get from the RCMP YOU WAWNT TO ROLL BACK THEIR WAGES! Ithink it’s a bad move. They put their lives on the line on a daily basis for the public, don’t tie their hands. Honor your previous promise.
I don’t think that if the RCMP were promised a raise I think it would be wrong to renige on it. I’m sure that there is money going to causes that are not as worthy.
I am a retired memember (58-81) This is wrong minded to roll back the wage increase - much better there just be no increase in 09 or even 10 but not acceptable to “renege”. Except for a handfull of people who have tarnished our reputation, our “word” is good and we expect the same from our employer.
Governments should live up to signed agreements
I am in support of the RCMP officers getting the wages they were promised. It is unfortunate this this kind of dealing is typical of the present government.
I can believe this gouvernment, how can we trust these politicians….
Reneging on there word, have these guys no self respect….
I strongly recommend the Harper government to reconsider this decision,and restore what was agreed upon….
I feel the Harper government has done a great injustice to the members of the RCMP by reneging on their promised raise. We need these brave men and women, especially in a time when the economy is at its lowest and that in turn creates more crime. I, as a Canadian taxpayer urge you to reconsider, we cannot loose these men and women to better paying jobs. These men and women put their lives in danger each day they perform their duties, Are you willing to do their jobs???????????????????????
The services and value of the members of the RCMP, in which they frequently lay their lives on the line, are well appreciated by the people of Canada on whose behalf the government contracted the agreement with the RCMP for pay increases. The move by the government to abrogate or renege on the agreement and the decision to cancel, delay or reduce the contracted pay increases is a shoddy manoeuvre for presumed fiscal benefit before the coming budget. It reflects badly on the Prime Minister and the government and is contrary to the regard of Canadians for the RCMP.
I urge the Prime Minister and the government to reverse this decision forthwith and restore the contracted pay increases and show good faith in their dealings with this highly valued Force of servants of Canada, and encourage them in continued service and potential recruits in volunteering to join and maintain the stream of recruits needed to maintain the Force.
Gerald B. Stanford 999 Carolwood Drive, Victoria B.C.
Members of the RCMP regularly perform highly valued services for the people of Canada, often laying their lives on the line. Most of our people understand and appreciate this and it is on their behalf that the government negotiated the agreement for pay raises with the RCMP. It is a shame on the people and the government that this agreement has been abrogated, rolled back, and reneged by the government, for presumably some relatively minor fiscal advantage. Shame! I urge the Prime Minister and the government to cancel its decision and restore the agreement and agreed wage increases in full forthwith and remove this stainon its own record. The RCMP and its members deserve it, and potential recruits need to see this to encourage them to join.
The decision by the government to roll back or reduce the wage increases awarded to the members of the RCMP by its agreement with them and recently rolled back or cancelled is a breach of contract which indicates that the government does not value them or their services in which they frequently lay their lives on the line and all too often pay the ultimate penalty. This is shameful action by the government which diminishes the Force in the eyes of themselves and of potential recruits who are needed to maintain its strength, and diminishes the government in the eyes of the public/voters on whose behalf it originally made the agreement for them with the Force. I urge the Prime Minister and the government to reverse the decision and restore the contracted pay increases in full forthwith.
My nephew had a great career as a power engineer and has decided to join the RCMP. That is his choice, he scored very high going through training and has to put up with a wage freeze for a wage which is not the highest to start with. You may loose the cream of the crop to other organizations, city police etc. and loose your investment in him. I would not blame him if he did. Wake up, who is more important the RCMP or bailing out the car industry again and again and again and again.
I support the RCMP members with their fight for a fair and just wage increase. Other workers of the Treasury Board and Agencies received wage increases and as such so should the RCMP workers
We are very thankful for the support of the Canadian public and it is obvious from the polls that they also see this as a no brainer. The government needs to honor the established agreement of last year. They will just fall behind even more. Medicine Hat Police just received a 10% raise for 2009 and to Dec 31 2010.
My nephew is a R.C.M.P., scored very high in his training, chose this as a career, and we need to support our Officers!
We also need a continuation of enrolement in the Academy for our future! Come- On-Board- Canadians!
I think the RCMP is underpayed as it is without a rollback.
I am a Conservative and will be contacting my MP , and yes I will give him hell . You have my full support.Kelly Johnson
I have been supportive of our RCMP for many years. They have been doing an excellent job all across Canada. They have a very difficult job to do, and they certainly earn the salaries they have had over the years.. I don,t think one can compare their salaries to the great risk factors they have to challenge today. We need our police, and they have to live like you and me in a society where we need protection.
We are seeing an increase in crime as society is changing. If the RCMP are not there to protect us from all levels of the force, then who will??
Frank Blackwood
Richmond Hill, Ont.
I definitely do not support the goverment’s retraction of the agreement made to increase RCMP’s wages. The RCMP do a terrific job and need support and recognition from everyone, including our Canadian Government.
The polls results are very encouraging to our members of the Force. The Canadian public have shown their support for the men and women who are on the Frontline Policing ensuring The Public Safety of all Canadians.
The results of this poll should send a clear message to the Govt. that the decision to roll back the agreed to pay percentages was not in the public interest. Now is the time for it to react and reverse that decision.
Add your voice