The Scenario

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In December $2006,$ the BC Court of Appeal upheld the decision by the BC Supreme Court to award Nancy Sulz $$950000$ in damages for severe, longterm harassment experienced while she worked for Canada's RCMP$.$ The sexual harassment she endured starting in $1995$ led to her request for a medical discharge from the RCMP in $2000,$ due to major depressive disorder. Her harasser, Staff Sergeant Donald Smith, has continued to enjoy a successful career with the force. Sulz was not the first person to complain about him; another female officer made similar allegations in the late $1980$s but ultimately did not pursue them.

Four female RCMP officers alleged that they were sexually assaulted by Sergeant Robert Blundell during undercover operations that took place in Calgary between $1994$ and $1997.$ Their internal complaints were dismissed and ignored, a problem that went all the way up to then$-$Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli. The officers reported that after filing complaints, they were "considered rats and whistle$-$blowers and subject to harassing ridicule." The four officers felt that "the lack of response signalled to the rank and file of the RCMP that silence, cover$-$up$,$ and minimization are the preferred method of dealing with harassment within the RCMP:

The officers chose to file a lawsuit against the RCMP in Calgary's Court of Queen's Bench in September $2003$ because of the RCMP$\text{'}$s lack of response. $"$We have done everything we can do within the force to address the problems and issues," the four reported in a formal statement. They have not been satisfactorily resolved, and we've had to take this step as a last resort:" At the time of filing their case, two of the alleged victims were on stress leave and the other two reported losing career opportunities within the force. One lost her role as a hostage negotiator, and the other has not been assigned to undercover operations since making the allegations. The alleged perpetrator of the sexual assaults, meanwhile, lost one day of pay and was later promoted. The case was settled out of court in $2007,$ with the terms kept secret. However, in December $2011,$ The Fifth Estate reported that two of the complainants continue to feel they were let down by the RCMP in the matter. That seems to be the way of the RCMP$,$ that's kind of like the toothless tiger. There's never any accountability," said Victoria Cliffe, one of the four complainants.

Janet Merlo, of Nanaimo, BC$,$ would no doubt understand the frustration the four Calgary RCMP officers experienced. She received a medical discharge from the RCMP due to post$-$traumatic stress disorder that was a direct result of ongoing workplace harassment and bullying. She was allegedly subjected to frequent sexual remarks and unwanted invitations from her immediate supervisor. Co$-$workers also left sex toys and pornography on her desk. It took two years after Merlo's initial complaint for the organization to respond. The response thanked Merlo for her letter and noted: $"$As you are aware the RCMP does not take these allegations lightly and, in fact, has an obligation to provide a harassment free environment for all of our employees." Merlo was advised that the matter had been investigated but no action would be taken. Subsequently, Merlo initiated legal proceedings,