Carney government tight-lipped on fulfilling campaign promise to raise pay for RCMP cadets
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During this spring's federal election campaign, Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged to bolster the national police force by hiring another 1,000 members, creating a new academy within the RCMP's Depot training division, and, according to the Liberal platform, 'increase pay for cadet recruits.'
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Hiking the pay that RCMP cadets receive during their 26-week training program from its current $525 per week is one of the requests that the National Police Federation, the union representing RCMP members, has made of the government in recent budget cycles. The force itself supports the move, as it seeks ways to boost sluggish recruitment numbers.
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'The RCMP plays a vital role in keeping Canadians safe, and we remain firmly committed to supporting their important work,' wrote spokesman Simon Lafortune in an email.
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'Given the federal government's ongoing pre-budget consultation process, we will refrain from commenting at this time.'
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John Fragos, a spokesman for Finance Minister Francois Philippe-Champagne, who is planning to present the Carney government's first budget in October, said in a separate statement that it would have more to say then.
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'The minister is engaging in pre-budget consultations with stakeholders and agencies alike. This process spans 45 cities in every province and territory,' Fragos said.
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Unlike other departments and federal agencies that Champagne has asked to find up to 15 per cent in 'annual savings,' the RCMP, along with the Canada Border Services Agency and Department of National Defence, have only been asked to find two per cent in savings over the next three years.
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Brian Sauve, president of the National Police Federation, said hiking the pay for RCMP recruits would be the 'easiest' change the government could make as it looks for ways to help modernize the force's recruitment process, citing how those who join other police services start receiving a salary from 'day one.'
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