For the last 135 years, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have been at the heart of our communities, serving Canadians and keeping us safe.

From stopping liquor trafficking and gaining the respect and confidence of Aboriginal peoples to fighting child sexual exploitation and clamping down on gang and gun crime; Canada’s national police force has always counted on men and women of sound constitution and good character to serve and protect. And for more than a century, that’s exactly what thousands of us have done; they have done so for honour, principle and reasonable compensation.

Today, the RCMP faces significant challenges, including:

•  recruiting new cadets in the face of real competition from municipal police forces and other security agencies that have made it clear they intend to compete for the best new talent with better wages and benefits.
• the retention of senior officers. Men and women with years of experience and wisdom and the backbone of the Force who are increasingly turning to retirement or other opportunities at a time when their skills and perspective are needed most.

In the face of these real challenges, Canada’s government has previously indicated it wants to be part of the solution:

• The prime minister and others have made important reference to the need to attract and retain the best and brightest to protect average Canadians.
• Last June the government signed an important wage agreement with frontline RCMP members to provide wage parity with other major Canadian police forces over the next three years.

Despite these important pledges, the Harper government has moved to rollback this wage agreement, undermining the vital progress made to ensure the RCMP can compete to attract and retain the best new talent and protect Canadians.

The men and women of the RCMP understand the significant global economic challenges facing our country. We also recognize the need to ensure Canada’s national police force is armed with every tool and advantage to ensure the safety and security of average Canadians.

This wage rollback is about much more than a paycheque. It is about the future of the RCMP.

Without the tools to compete for the top policing talent in Canada, the RCMP will face a long-term disadvantage that will have dire consequences for public safety.

RCMP members will always do their duty to the best of their abilities, just as they’ve always done but this rollback may mean there will fewer of us spread thinner than ever. Canadians suffer when the RCMP suffers. We are calling for your back-up now.

Take action by writing your MP, join the discussion, sign our petition and let others know about CallForBackup.ca by sharing this site.

Thank you for your support.