Thunder Bay

Justice served by RCMP apology, $100M settlement of harassment claims says former Mountie

Justice has been served through Thursday's settlement of class action lawsuits over harassment of female RCMP members, says Heli Kijanen, the former Mountie who spearheaded legal action against the national force in 2011.

Thunder Bay-born Heli Kijanen resigned from force due to bullying

Former RCMP officer Heli Kijanen, with one of her daughters, says she didn't think people would believe her story about her experience in the RCMP until she saw another officer go public with her own story. (CBC)

Justice has been served through Thursday's settlement of class action lawsuits over harassment of female RCMP members, says Heli Kijanen, the former Mountie who spearheaded legal action against the national force in 2011. 

RCMP commissioner Bob Paulson apologized to female RCMP officers who had been harassed, and announced $100-million has been allotted to settle claims.

Kijanen, who was born in Thunder Bay, Ont., had been working as an RCMP officer in Saskatchewan, but resigned due to bullying from male members of the force.

"I feel like people have been given back pieces of their lives to complete the puzzle of closure," she said of the settlement.

The $100-million settlement amount must still be approved by a federal court.