Lawsuit Alleges RCMP Recruits Faced Invasive Medical Exams

A class-action lawsuit filed against the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) claims that over 1,000 current and former employees were subjected to “improper and invasive” medical examinations during their recruitment. These allegations include experiences of breast, genital, and rectal exams that plaintiffs assert amounted to sexual assault. The lawsuit, initiated in 2019 and certified in 2021, has gained traction as more individuals have stepped forward with similar complaints.

Megan McPhee, lead attorney for the plaintiffs, states that the initial focus of the lawsuit was on allegations involving two RCMP doctors. However, it has expanded significantly, with numerous complaints regarding 26 different doctors linked to the RCMP. The allegations have prompted scrutiny over the medical practices used in recruitment, particularly concerning the necessity and appropriateness of such examinations.

As the case progresses, it is set to be heard in Federal Court in Toronto on January 19, 2024. McPhee aims to seek compensation and a summary judgment to resolve the case without a full trial. The RCMP has declined to comment directly on the matter, but in court documents, they have denied accusations of “systemic negligence.” In a statement to the media, Cami Boily-Lavoie, an RCMP media relations officer, expressed concern for those who felt victimized, clarifying that the organization opposes the motion not due to the triviality of the allegations but rather because the legal complexities warrant a full trial.

During the court proceedings, the RCMP was compelled to present an internal medical examination form that doctors used for all candidates. McPhee noted that the content of this form was surprising, including instructions for doctors to perform unnecessary checks, such as squeezing applicants’ breasts to check for discharge or examining male circumcision status. “It doesn’t screen for occupational health,” McPhee commented, emphasizing the lack of relevance these examinations have to a candidate’s ability to perform police work.

The troubling medical practices reportedly persisted for decades, with the RCMP’s examination guidelines being revised only after significant public outcry. The mandatory inspection of sensitive areas was ultimately discontinued in 2006, reflecting a shift in medical standards and a response to evolving expectations around privacy and care.

Allegations of misconduct date back as far as 1989, when Sylvie Corriveau, the representative plaintiff, recounts her own harrowing experience during a mandated medical exam. Corriveau, who was applying to be a civilian 911 dispatcher, described an encounter in which a doctor conducted a vaginal and rectal exam without appropriate medical justification. “He was rubbing, he was massaging. He was not conducting a medical exam,” she recounted, highlighting the trauma of the experience and the inappropriate nature of the procedures.

These allegations have sparked outrage and led to further investigations into the actions of RCMP physicians. The RCMP has faced numerous complaints from both male and female applicants about unnecessary examinations, including prostate exams administered without clear justification. Many of these complaints were made to the RCMP, local police, and medical licensing bodies, but very few resulted in criminal charges.

The legal actions surrounding these allegations have prompted discussions about systemic negligence within the RCMP. McPhee argues that the force failed to address numerous complaints and neglected to implement necessary oversight and guidelines for medical examinations. “All of these factors combined to place applicants in a very vulnerable and dangerous position,” she stated.

In a notable 2020 report by retired Supreme Court Justice Michel Bastarache, recommendations were made for compensating recruits mistreated by RCMP doctors. Bastarache noted the shocking nature of the reports he received and criticized the lack of accountability for the alleged abuses that occurred before official hiring.

The ongoing legal battle raises significant questions about the treatment of RCMP recruits and the accountability of the organization in addressing complaints against medical practitioners. The implications of this lawsuit extend beyond individual experiences, potentially impacting policies and practices within the RCMP and shaping the future of recruitment processes in law enforcement. As the case unfolds, many will be watching closely to see how the RCMP responds to these serious allegations and what changes may be implemented to protect future applicants.