N E W B R U N S W I C K D I V I S I O N

The Vets’ Review 1

Editor: Ken McGraw Publisher: Ian Burdon Mail Outs and Ads: Vacant Spring/Summer 2014

he Vets’ ReviewA publication of the RCMP Veterans’ Association

Rivers EdgeVet Bob Gallup asked that this be shared with you . . .

I’m not ok.

I heard the news after I came back from baseball with my sons. Three fallen police officers, Mounties, killed by some kid with a hate-on for cops. Two more in the hospital. A whole community threatened (still threatened as I write this…)

I responded like anyone would. Shock, but then relief that it wasn’t anyone we knew. Then gratitude for the life my family has, tossed in with some serious denial that this could ever happen to my husband. Then I thought I was “good to go”. I thought it was ok to watch the news, ok to wait for updates, ok to tuck my kids into bed, and to finally go to sleep.

But I didn’t want to sleep. I watched the news. I saw the unnecessary image of an officer’s blood on the pavement. I watched grown men cry, giving news briefs, heartbroken. I read Facebook – saw the good, the bad and the ignorant. I waited for the shooter to be caught. I sent a message to my husband, who was working the night shift…

"You ok?"

He Answered: "Yep."

I said: "This is terrible!"

He replied: "Yes, it is."

I said: "Be safe tonight."

He said: "I’ll be fine, now sleep."

That’s all he could say. Probably because he was too sick and distracted, maybe terrified to say anything else. Later he would say he “felt numb”. Because he’s not a super-hero. He’s not a robot. He’s a Dad. He’s a husband. He has his fears and doubts about things, just like the rest of us. And he had to push this terrible event out of his mind to get back to cleaning up the streets in our town, so far away from this tragedy, but still too close. Back to taking statements…and looking over his shoulder.

And I didn’t think I would sleep. But

see Rivers Edge page 2

Moncton(Prime Time Crime - exclusive June 8, 2014)By Bob CooperWatching the news coverage of the murder of 3 Mounties and the wounding of 2 others in Moncton, NB, 3 days ago I experienced the same sense of loss that all of us, active or retired, feel every time this happens. The surrealism of the 24 hours news cycle will be followed by the ! usual parade of pundits, saying the usual buzzwords and telling us that we have to have a ‘conversation’ in order to make sense of this and prevent it from happening again.That’s when I usually switch it off because as we all know, there is no sense to be made of this. It’s the irrational act of a warped individual. Period. One characteristic of horrible events like this is that tragedy has an odd way of bringing out the best in people and that came through very clearly in Moncton. ! Despite the fact that they weren’t sufficiently armed to deal with a job like this, these cops, like cops the

see Moncton page 3

T H E V E T S ’ R E V I E W

2 THE VETS’ REVIEW - NB DIVISION

Rivers Edge - continued from Page 1

I did, and when I woke up in the morning, I scrambled for my phone to see if they had caught the shooter.

They didn’t. They haven’t. Instead, they are sending more officers in to find him. Sending more mothers and fathers, sisters, brothers, daughters and sons, to stop this guy. One unstable guy with no respect for life.

I am not OK. None of us should be OK. This is insanity! Not just this one crazy guy with guns, but all of the crazy people with guns! And the terrible, fear-mongering, bull-shit attitudes that people have toward law enforcement officers! I am SO SICK of the stuff I read and hear about police officers being “power-hungry, power-tripping, too dumb to get any other job, gun-happy, muscle-headed, donut-eating, uncaring…”. The list goes on.

Everyone needs to stop now and really think. Stop teaching your kids that police officers are the bad guys who give you tickets you “don’t deserve”. Stop assuming that you know every person who wears a uniform, or that they are all alike. Because you don’t, and they’re not. Stop giving officers flack when you see them breaking for lunch or a coffee. That’s bullying.

Let’s stop making it ok for our kids to play hours of violent video games. Send your little boys and girls outside to build something, ride a bike, to make friends, play kick-the-can. Teach them to talk, read, volunteer, socialize.

Take their damn phones away from them once in a while.

Our v-idiot society is breeding a bunch of ignorant, narcissistic, anti-social, desensitized people.

I remember when I was a kid, we were taught to respect authority, and to NEVER EVER pretend to “shoot” someone with our fingers. We were allowed to play with water guns and bb guns, but we knew we could never point them at each others heads, never point them at someone who wasn’t playing. My Dad had guns. He was a hunter. But he didn’t glorify killing. He didn’t obsess about his guns. We respected how dangerous they were.

And I was taught that you only needed to be afraid of the police if you were breaking the law. And as far as I am concerned, this is still the case.

If you are such a simpleton or a snob that you think you can make some broad-sweeping assumption about what kind of man or woman is behind

that police badge, you scare me more than anyone. Open that closed mind.

And now, because someone decided he hates cops so much that he would walk into a quiet neighborhood, and bait them into a gunfight, three human beings are dead. Two more are injured. Families are destroyed. Family these fallen loved. Family who love them. Family who depended on them to be at ball games, birthdays, ballet recitals and grads. Family who depended on them to “watch their six”. And out there somewhere is a cop-hater, who has been free to debase and hate cops openly. Maybe he has a mental illness, or maybe he was victimized by someone in a position of power. I don’t know who he is, or why he did it. What I do know, is he has targeted a group of people I have the utmost respect for, and one whom I love very much.

So until this guy is found, until bullying like this is stopped, I’m not ok.To the families, friends of the fallen officers, and to the members of the NB RCMP, my deepest condolences. My prayers and thoughts are with you all.

Canada's Veterans Ombudsman Guy Parent speaks after releasing the Report on the New Veterans Charter and Actuarial Analysis Tuesday October 1, 2013 in Ottawa.(Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS)OTTAWA -- Canada's veterans ombudsman and the Royal Canadian Legion are calling on the Harper government to say once and for all whether it will retroactively compensate ex-soldiers whose pensions and benefits were unfairly clawed back.Veterans Affairs Canada has been silent about whether it will follow National Defence and reimburse those whose earnings loss benefits, income supplements and war veterans allowance cheques were improperly docked.

In May 2012, a Federal Court justice ruled that the federal government was wrong to claw back the military pensions of injured soldiers by the amount of disability payments they receiveFormer defence minister Peter MacKay ended the deduction and federal lawyers negotiated an $887-million retroactive settlement dating back to 1976, when the process first started.

continued Page 3 OMBUDSMAN

T H E V E T S ’ R E V I E W

THE VETS’ REVIEW - NB DIVISION 3

Moncton world over, drove straight into the situation. There was no time to wait for the Emergency guys because the public was in imminent danger and they held true to their oath to do their duty and protect them no matter what. The killer knew this and took advantage of it, lying in wait and ambushing them making his deeds even more loathsome. The news media appeared to behave in an outstanding fashion and I have some expertise in that area. They never lost sight of the dreadful nature of the events they were covering and demonstrated sensitivity and respect to both the RCMP and the citizens of Moncton. They were also mindful of the need to avoid broadcasting certain police activity and locations and appeared to accede to every reasonable request the police made. In contrast, are the outside special interest groups that can’t wait to exploit a tragedy to advance ! their agenda and I’ve been very critical of the anti-gun lobby for this in the past. In this case while the hunt for the killer was still going on, the National Firearms Association released a statement that, while deploring the murders, offered them up as proof of the ineffectiveness of Canada’s gun laws. Despite the fact that I happen to agree with them on many issues I’m nothing if not fair. This was neither the time nor the place and they should have known better.! The manhunt lasted 33 hours. To those who have never been involved in a major operation like this, 33 hours doesn’t sound like a long time. When you’re in the middle of it and you know that this guy could ! jump out of a bush or be around the next corner, a minute seems like eternity. Whether you’re actively searching or manning a post on the perimeter, it’s frightening, stressful

work and it drains you very quickly. Adding that to the shock and pain of the loss they’d just suffered makes their dedication and perseverance all the more impressive. As these things often are, the end was very anti-climactic. Despite all of the bluster on his Facebook page, when confronted by men superior both in armament and character, he showed his true colors and folded like the coward he is. Like most of my vintage I’ll admit to having hoped for a different result and I noticed that several news people commented on the restraint and professionalism it must have taken not to drop the hammer on him. Like Mayerthorpe, Kamloops and any number of other places across Canada where similar ! tragedies have occurred, Moncton will heal with the passage of time and what it and its people will be remembered for is not what happened there ! but rather for how they responded to it. ! I’m hearing reports of individual citizens approaching Mounties on perimeter duty in the initial hours of this horrible event expressing thanks, shaking hands, and even hugging them. Two nights later, hundreds came out and stood in the rain at a candlelight vigil to honor the fallen constables. A number of Moncton residents in TV interviews spoke of how the RCMP are a very special part of the community and how devastating this has been. I didn’t hear any complaints from those who were trapped inside their homes, or not allowed to return to them, for 24 hours. Despite the inconvenience their thoughts were with the families of the members and watching them I couldn’t help but think that Moncton must be a pretty nice place to live.Bob Cooper is a retired Vancouver policeman. He walked a beat in Chinatown and later worked in the Asian Organized Crime Section and the Homicide Squad.

OMBUDSMANFormer veterans minister Steven Blaney also ended the practice for programs in his department, but his successor has yet to open discussions about compensation for what was deducted prior to the decision.Ottawa military lawyer Michel Drapeau has written to the new minister, Julian Fantino, on behalf of an ex-soldier whose benefit cheque was deducted and says he's prepared to launch legal action, perhaps even in the form of a class action."We truly hope government will live up to its promises," Drapeau said in an interview Thursday. Fantino's response to Drapeau's Dec. 18 letter was non-committal.Veterans ombudsman Guy Parent said he's been bombarded with calls and messages from ex-soldiers and wants to see the uncertainty ended.The mechanics of the legislation governing veterans and the resulting obligations of the government are slightly different when compared with the military disability pension case, the ombudsman noted."Veterans need to get an answer," Parent said. "If they're not going to give retroactivity, then say it."His sentiment is echoed by the Royal Canadian Legion, which says the Harper government has poured millions of dollars into commemorative events, such as the War of 1812, while issues like the benefit back payment have lingered."They need to make a decision on retroactivity," said Andrea Siew, the legion's director of services. "Veterans need to know. They have a right to know and then they can decide where they go from here. And they need to make a fair decision."Joshua Zanin, a spokesman for

continued Page 4 OMBUDSMAN

T H E V E T ’ S R E V I E WS E Q U O I A C L U B

4 THE VETS’ REVIEW - NB DIVISION

OMBUDSMANFantino, said the issue is still on the government's agenda, but noted that -- unlike in the case of National Defence -- the veterans department was not compelled by the courts to halt the clawback."Our government voluntarily decided to cease the deductions as an additional action to recognize the sacrifices of Canada's veterans," Zanin said in an email."Our government is committed to looking into the call of veterans for this additional benefit and will respond in a timely fashion," he said.How much a retroactive settlement would cost the government is unclear, and Siew said it would depend on how broad the terms might be.

"How far do they go back? Do they pay estates? Those are some of the challenges," Siew said.Both the ombudsman and the legion are also united when it comes to a class-action lawsuit launched by members of the RCMP over clawbacks to their disability benefits.They say Mounties shouldn't have to fight for benefits when a precedent has already been established by the Federal Court in the case of the military.It's time to undertake a study of what all veterans -- military and RCMP, past and present -- are owed, Drapeau said."Veterans are veterans, and if we owe them, it doesn't matter if have to go back to 1940. A debt is debt is a debt, and a promise is a promise is a promise."

RCMP introduce new code of conduct Daniel Leblanc OTTAWA — The Globe and Mail April 26, 2014

The RCMP is introducing a new disciplinary regime that will force the Mounties to police themselves in a bid to win back the frayed trust of the Canadian public.

The goal for the national police force is to try to turn the page on years of negative stories involving “bad apples” and to showcase a commitment to a culture in which Mounties improve their own conduct – and report any wrongdoing by their colleagues.

The final version of the proposed code of conduct and other rules has just been posted on the Internet and is now subject to a final 30-day consultation period before being implemented. There are logistical changes in the overhaul, aimed at speeding up the way the RCMP reprimand, suspend, demote and discharge officers. But the changes also entail a new vocabulary that places the onus on the Mounties to improve their own behaviour.

Disabled RCMP veterans reach settlement with the Canadian Government in disability benefit class actionHALIFAX, March 7, 2014 /CNW/ - Canadian law firms McInnes Cooper and Branch MacMaster announced a proposed class action settlement with the Government of Canada over the reduction of disabled Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) veterans' long term disability benefits.

The proposed settlement of White and Buote v. Her Majesty the Queen, which still requires Federal Court approval, is projected to provide a total of over $31 million in benefits, plus interest, to approximately 1,000 disabled RCMP veterans. The proposed settlement also provides that the reduction will cease for all RCMP veterans currently receiving

benefits and RCMP members who are medically released in the future.

The Federal Court is scheduled to consider approval of the settlement in Halifax on June 20, 2014. If it is approved, class members should receive their refund within six months of approval.

SOURCE McInnes Cooper

Message of Condolence for the Fallen Officers in MonctonDuring this most trying of times, we grieve with you, and the people of New Brunswick, for your fallen and injured comrades who were so heroic in keeping others safe from harm.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families and to all Mounties, both active members and veterans.

For their consummate bravery and dedication, we also applaud the many more officers who put themselves in harm’s way for the well-being of others.

On behalf of everyone at Johnson, our thoughts are with you. We share your sorrow, and honour them for the incredible sacrifice they made.

Karl BiermannVice President,Atlantic Johnson Insurance

T H E V E T S ’ R E V I E W

THE VETS’ REVIEW - NB DIVISION 5

Commissionaires are always looking for

responsible team members.

As the largest private employer of Canadian

Forces and RCMP veterans in Canada, we’ll put your

skills and experience to work to allow you to

continue doing what you do best – protecting

Canadians.

Commissionaires continuously recruits for

full-time, part-time or casual employment

opportunities throughout New Brunswick and Prince

Edward island. 

66. For more information, please contact Kathy Vair

at kvair@cccnbpei.ca or 506-634-8000.

Executive

President – Jim Payne

1st Vice President – Jacques Ouellette

2nd Vice President – Reginald King

Treasurer - Robert R. Rochon

Secretary – Roland McNeil

NB VETS WEB PAGEThe new name for the New

Brunswick web page is:

http://nb.rcmpvet.ca/

We Support Our Troops

RCMP plan new mental health strategy: ‘Making it ok to talk about it’ May 20, 2014 By Shirlee Engel and Rebecca Lindell Global News OTTAWA – The night of March 2, 2011 is seared into Const. Peter Neily’s mind. "I’ve never been so scared in my life," he said. "I did believe I was going to die." That night Neily, who was stationed in Surrey, B.C., shot and killed a suspect while on duty. The man crashed his car and Neily rammed his cruiser into the vehicle to try and prevent him from escaping. Neily, who was then trapped in his car, said the suspect aimed a rifle at him. Neily responded by firing nearly 30 rounds into the car, killing the man. Neily, now a nine-year veteran of the force, was cleared of criminal wrongdoing and his actions were deemed necessary to save his life. But he hasn’t been the same since. "I became depressed, isolated and I did begin to develop some substance abuse issues with alcohol," Neily said. He was later diagnosed with an operational stress injury and knew he needed to get help. "The hardest thing to do was to come forward and say I have this problem. I have a huge problem and it is impacting my life and changing who I

am and destroying everything around me," he said. "Once I did the help was there for me."The RCMP touts Neily’s story as proof there is help for officers suffering from mental stress. But the senior brass now admits it wasn’t enough and they are overhauling the system.

New mental health strategy Global News has obtained a copy of the Mounties’ new five-year mental health strategy, which aims to eliminate stigma and educate members so the signs can be detected early. And the RCMP will conduct annual management reviews to make sure it is meeting the needs of those with mental health issues. The force says officers unable to work cost taxpayers $70 million and of those an estimated 38 per cent are on long-term sick leave due to mental health issues. And the Mounties admit

continued Page 6 HEALTH

that police officers often confront situations that can have negative impacts on mental health. The plan isn’t dependent on creating new services for its success, but a huge push to increase awareness of mental health issues from the top-down. "The services are there and they’ve been there," said Assistant Commissioner Gilles Moreau. "It’s one

T H E V E T S ’ R E V I E W

6 THE VETS’ REVIEW - NB DIVISION

HEALTHthing to develop a policy, but you have to make it live and you have to make it so that people know what the tools are and aren’t afraid of using them." Doing that will require educating the force about mental health issues, especially managers and commanders who are often on the front-lines of getting people help, Moreau said. "That’s what’s different is that the leadership is talking about it and making it ok to talk about it," Moreau said. Moreau, who was scheduled to retire this month, is staying on another two years to spearhead the strategy. He too has had mental health issues during his career, but said being able to talk about it openly with colleagues made the difference.

‘Very vague’ For years, Global News has been covering the stories of officers and experts who said the force was failing Mounties with PTSD. The brass even cancelled plans for a peer support program that’s helped thousands of people with mental health issues in the military. Some remain skeptical that the new strategy will have the intended impact. It comes with no definitive price tag and lacks specific details. "It’s a very vague first step, but I think how we are going to measure the effectiveness is having it properly measured, evaluated and seeing what funding is put in place. That’s going to be an indicator of how seriously they are taking the strategy," said Jeff Morley. Morley served 23 years in the RCMP. Now a psychologist, he continues to hear stories of officers falling through the cracks.

"The RCMP is still not conducting any research and certainly inviting external researchers to come in and evaluate what are the rates of PTSD and mental health concerns in RCMP employees," he said. "I still get concerned in that way they are still sticking their head in the sand a bit." Recovery has been an ongoing process for Neily, but he’s been back

on duty for almost two years. "I know personally that (the RCMP) cares about their members as well because they have been there for me," he said. "I’m back to work and I have semblance of normal life. I’ve been at work today, been doing my job and am back to enjoying my work." © Shaw Media, 2014

RCMP National Scholarship ProgramMarch 26, 2014 - The RCMP National Scholarship Program is running again this year and the following information is provided.

Applications for the 2014 year will be accepted from May 1st, 2014 through to July 15th, 2014. (Postmarked July 15th is acceptable)

The annual RCMP National Scholarship Program is open only to direct dependents of regular, civilian, retired or former members of the RCMP (including CSIS).

In order to qualify, applicants must achieve a minimum average of 75% in their graduating year of secondary school and be enrolled in a Canadian University or College by September or already be attending a Canadian University/College on the condition that they are under the age of 25 and have not been a previous scholarship winner. In the event final marks are not available by the cut-off date, mid-terms will be accepted, with final marks to follow when received.

This scholarship is not open to grandchildren of members or former members.

Note - the applicants official high school transcript and a letter confirming their volunteer contribution in the community or school must be provided with the application.

Please contact me if you have any further questions.

Alex GeddesNational SecretaryRCMP Veterans' Associationhttp://www.rcmpvetsnational.ca/

T H E V E T S ’ R E V I E W

7 THE VETS’ REVIEW - NB DIVISION

NATIONAL ADVOCATE UPDATEBOD MEETING 23 APR 2014

Since our last BOD meeting I have been assisting veterans and their families on a variety of issues. The common issue is guidance for disability claims and other forms of assistance for members in need of home care and home maintenance. There have been some calls from member’s spouses and families requesting guidance after the death of a member regarding pension, benefits, tax issues, other government pensions and head stones.

Claw Backs, Reductions and Overpayments There have been a number of requests for information regarding the reduction of the Long Term Disability (LTD) payments. Most of the reductions are the result of payments from Pension Act Disability Pensions. Hopefully the recent settlement between the Federal Government and the Class Action Suit will soon rectify this situation. The Federal Court is expected to confirm the settlement on June 20, 2014.However, some members are discovering a reduction when they start receiving CPP or CPP Disability Pensions under age 65, as well. Great West Life (GWL) administers the LTD on behalf of the RCMP and they are demanding members who have received LTD to apply for a CPP Disability Pension. This will actually reduce LTD payments and preserves the Insurance fund’s reserve. This has been built into the LTD Plan. There have been a number of members requesting clarification from Morneau Shepell (MS) regarding Pension Overpayments which have been discovered years after their retirement. The mistakes were originally made by the RCMP

Pension Administration Unit prior to the outsourcing of these services to MS. Repayment is being demanded, however the explanations surrounding how the mistakes were made has not been communicated well by MS. In fact, MS has refused to calculate these arrears due to an omission in the original contract with the RCMP that did not include fees for this work. It was not until 2011 that a contract amendment was signed. I tried in vain to develop a management contact within MS to garner explanations for the affected veterans. MS kept referring me back to the RCMP. Finally I was able to make contact with the Director of RCMP Pension Services who has been very supportive and is now my point of contact for pension issues. It was learned that most of these mistakes are discovered during two mandatory life event reviews. One review is done at age 60 (indexation) and the second one at age 65 (claw back of RCMP Pension due to CPP). By then the payback amounts can be very large. I have requested a relief provision under Section 23(2.1) Financial Administration Act. The RCMP has request a legal opinion. Ron Lewis - National advocate 17 APR 2014

the Prez SezI think it is safe to say the frigid weather is now behind us. It has been a long and arduous winter but

good weather and better times are before us. We have a lot to look forward to. Our association is going through some major changes. A new constitution and bylaws and the implementation of e-voting. A committee has been formed to begin drafting a division manual which will replace our old bylaws, to conform to the Not-For-Profit legislation. Much work has been done and there still remains some to do. We will continue to keep everyone informed as we move forward with these changes. Our association is a reflection of what you as members want it to be and I urge all members to become actively involved. Have a safe, healthy and active summer.

Jim

Je crois que je peux dire que les temperatures froides sont finies. Nous avons vécu un hiver long et dur mais je crois que le beau temps et les belles journées sont arrives . Le meilleur est devant nous. Notre association est en train de faire des changements majeurs: une nouvelle constitution et des règlements, et la mise en oeuvre du vote électronique. Nous avons établi un groupe de travail afin d’écrire un manuel d’administration qui remplacera nos anciens règlements afin de rencontrer les exigences de la nouvelle loi qui s’applique aux organizations a buts non-lucratifs. Beaucoup de travail a deja été accompli mais il y a encore

beaucoup de pain sur la planche. Nous continuerons de disséminer toutes les informations a nos membres concernant les changements. Notre association est vraiment un mirror des aspirations de

ces membres, je vous encourage donc a participer et jouer un role concret dans votre association. Je vous souhaite de passer un bel été, rempli d’activities en toute sécurité.

T H E V E T S ’ R E V I E W

8 THE VETS’ REVIEW - NB DIVISION

Veterans Affairs cuts pose service threatRisk exists department ‘will not meet needs’ of members, families

Veterans Affairs says there is a real risk the department “will not meet the needs” of veterans, Forces members and military families after recent changes, including hundreds of layoffs and a move toward more online services.

SEAN KILPATRICK/THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES

Veterans like Ron Clarke, centre, and unions have strongly opposed the closure of nine Veteran Affairs offices and the transfer of responsibility to offices of Service Canada.

In an annual planning report tabled Thursday in Parliament, the federal department also says veterans could receive poorer service due to growing

reliance on outside organizations, provincial and municipal governments, and other federal departments.

The concerns contrast with the Conservative government’s assertions that recent changes at Veterans Affairs will make it easier for veterans and their families to access service.

“What is happening here is a significant increase in service,” Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in the House of Commons on Jan. 28, referring to the government’s decision to close nine Veterans Affairs offices, triggering large protests.

Veterans and unions strongly opposed the closures and the transfer of responsibility for assisting veterans in those communities to offices of Service Canada.

Veterans Affairs says it plans to mitigate the risks, largely by monitoring the situation, and promises to “continue to enhance technology” and “simplify processes

to reduce complexity, redundancy and turnaround times.”

The annual report outlines Veterans Affairs’ plans and priorities for the coming year.

More than 200,000 veterans, retired RCMP officers and their families rely on Veterans Affairs for support or services, including disability benefits, specialized health services, and even help with shovelling driveways and cutting grass.

NDP veterans affairs critic Peter Stoffer said the report confirms veterans’ fears that the government cut millions from the department’s budget and laid off hundreds of staff without first guaranteeing the move wouldn’t hurt vets.

Internal documents obtained last month by Postmedia News show senior Veterans Affairs staff grappling two years ago — when budget cuts were announced — with how to provide the same level of service with fewer offices and staff.

New Staff Sergeant Major appointed for J Division

I am happy to share with you the news that Sgt. Gilles Côté has been appointed to the role of Staff Sergeant Major for J Division. With 24 years of service to the Force, Sgt. Côté has served in various roles in B Division, including general duty and Federal Enforcement Services, as well as in J Division in Customs and Excise, ViCLAS, Criminal Operations and as District Commander for the former District 7. His varied experience made him a natural choice for the position. He will take over his new role immediately. The role of the Staff Sergeant Major is to a long-standing tradition in the Force. It is the highest non-commissioned officer rank in the division. The S/S/M reports to my office and serves as my direct link with non-commissioned officers and other members. As S/S/M, Sgt. Côté will focus on dress, deportment, protocol and ceremonies within the division, in addition to promoting the core values of the Force. He will also play an integral role in the divisions Respectful Workplace Initiative, acting as a conduit between members and senior managers.Please join me in congratulating Gilles, and welcoming him to this new role.

T H E V E T S ’ R E V I E W

9 THE VETS’ REVIEW - NB DIVISION

History of . . .

The RCMP Musical Ride tours throughout Canada, the United States and other international venues. The RCMP Musical Ride tours throughout Canada, the United States and other international venues. (RCMP)The red serge, Stetson hats, and horses are just a few of the images associated with Canada's iconic national police force, the RCMP. When you put them all together in an equestrian ring, you've got the famous RCMP Musical Ride. Here are five facts that might surprise you about it:Riding to music: The Musical Ride originated from the North West Mounted Police in 1874, after officers used the drills and accompanying music to entertain themselves during the evening or while off duty.All the horses are black: In 1937, Assistant Commissioner S. T. Wood headed the RCMP contingent at the coronation of King George VI. Wood was impressed with how the red tunics were emphasized on the riders in the Household Cavalry who were on black horses. When Wood became Commissioner in 1938, he ordered the RCMP to use only black horses.The RCMP breed their own horses: After Commissioner Wood's decision, it soon became apparent that the RCMP would need to establish their own breeding program. The first breeding farm was established in 1939 on a 720-acre ranch at Fort Walsh in Saskatchewan (the same site as the Mounted Police Fort built in 1875). The farm provided horses for mounted training in Regina and Ottawa.Saddles come from Germany: For a period of two years (1968-70), the RCMP tried just about every saddle on the market. John Stubben came over from Germany and agreed to modify his saddle cut. This produced a more versatile saddle since the RCMP couldn't afford both a jumping and dressage saddle. He named the first ones "Kanada model". They have long skirts/flaps, fit the majority of horses and help place the rider's leg where it is functional.Riding is a full time job: All the members of the Musical Ride are full-time policemen and women who have volunteered for this special duty for a period of three years.

Musical Ride Schedule: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/mr-ce/tour-eng.htm

A/Commr. Roger Brown O.O.M.Commanding Officer-------Nomination du nouveau sergent-major détat-major de la Division J.Je vous annonce avec plaisir que le sergent Gilles Côté a été nommé au poste de sergent-major détat-major de la Division J.Ayant plus de 24 années dexpérience au sein de la Gendarmerie, le serg. Côté a occupé diverses fonctions à la Division B (il a entre autres travaillé aux services généraux et à la Section de lexécution des lois fédérales) ainsi quà la Division J, où il travaillé à la Section des douanes et de laccise, à la section responsable du SALVC et au Service divisionnaire des enquêtes criminelles, et où il a été chef de lancien District 7. Son expérience variée faisait de lui un candidat idéal pour le poste. Il entreprendra ses nouvelles fonctions immédiatement.Le rôle de sergent-major détat-major est une tradition de longue date à la Gendarmerie. Il sagit du plus haut grade que peut avoir un sous-officier à léchelle divisionnaire. Le sergent-major détat-major relève de mon bureau, et il fait le lien entre moi et les sous-officiers ainsi que les autres membres.À titre de sergent-major détat-major, le serg. Côté soccupera des questions touchant le code vestimentaire, le comportement, le protocole et les cérémonies au sein de la division, en plus de faire la promotion des valeurs de la GRC. Il jouera également un rôle essentiel en ce qui a trait à linitiative pour le respect en milieu de travail, et il fera le lien entre les membres et les cadres supérieurs.Veuillez vous joindre à moi pour féliciter le serg. Côté et lui souhaiter bien du succès dans ses nouvelles fonctions.Comm. adj. Roger Brown O.O.M.Commandant divisionnaire

T H E V E T S ’ R E V I E W

10 THE VETS’ REVIEW - NB DIVISION

Six Members HonouredSix RCMP Members were Honoured with the Prestigious Medal of BraveryOn April 24th, I will have the privilege of witnessing six RCMP members being presented with the prestigious Medal of Bravery at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. Our members will be among 43 Canadians who will receive Decorations of Bravery for selflessly risking their own lives in order to save or protect the life of another. The Decorations of Bravery will be presented by His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada.

RCMP members to receive the Medal of Bravery are:

•Cst. Norbert Constant, D Division

•Sgt. Paul Avanthay, D Division

•Cst. Todd Glemser, G Division

•Cst. Andrew Aucoin, G Division

•Sgt. Scott Young, G Division

•Cst. Deanna Hagen, K Division

Having courage is part of our culture and an integral part of policing. Every day, RCMP officers willingly face hazardous, dangerous and harrowing situations. They do not do this for recognition but to ensure the communities we serve, this country and the world is a safer place to live. These six members are a testament to this. I strongly encourage you all to visit the Honours and Recognition Infoweb site to learn more about these members and the acts of bravery for which they are being recognized.

Bob PaulsonCommissioner

Respect, Dignity, Fairness and CourtesyAs some of you might remember, I was involved in our RCMP Veterans Association regarding benefits for our veterans, not only here in Nova Scotia, but across our country.

I have been exposed, as you have, with the resent efforts by our friends, the Canadian Military, in trying to convince the Federal Government, without resolve, to treat the Canadian Veterans with the Veterans Bill of Rights regarding respect, dignity, fairness and courtesy. Their plight, the Military, has risen to the point where there have been demonstrations, frustrations and or sit-ins necessary to wake up our present Government. My hat is off to them.

I think, however, we may, RCMP Veterans; nationally and locally be lacking in support for them in their plights, and I'm sure it has not been debilitate. If the truth were known, the RCMP never spoke up to the Government of the day, simply because.... I fail to come up with the proper words.... I'm sure you can fill in the blanks.

We must, and I'm sure you will agree, we need to give every effort to assist in the Military Veterans in their efforts. It is not only their fight for justice, we as Mounted Policemen/Women, present and past, are subject to most of what they are fighting for as well. WE, RCMP, are listed in the Veterans Bill of Rights along with our friends. Apart from that, we are close to them, now and I hope always.

The second point I would like to pass on is the fact that our friends and our veterans MUST realize there is no individuality here. We were, and we will always be, a family. In that regard I plea with those who are suffering to seek help. Get it now.... not tomorrow.... NOW. I have seen and witnessed many times, the suffering that goes on through, not only long service people as peace officers but with junior persons as well. If you have a problem, please seek help. There is simply NO SHAME in needing and seeking help.

There is an emergency phone number to call: 1-888-268-7708. It's not only for you.... it's for your spouse, your children, and or your caregiver.

I have been involved in these matters for only a few years, however, I have followed every aspect of the events that are ongoing.

New Vet eMail and PasswordGiven issues I had with emails when I was using Windows Live Mail, I have opted to use Google Mail.The new eMail address for the Vets is: jdivisionvets@gmail.com.Our website will reflect this change.Our website now has a Members Only window accessible only with a password. The password is: jdiv2vetsAny questions / issues don’t hesitate to email me at: jdvisionvets@gmail.com

Brian Griffiths, NB Vets - Communications

T H E V E T S ’ R E V I E W

11 THE VETS’ REVIEW - NB DIVISION

I offer the little know knowledge I have and am willing to devote my effort, not only to the RCMP Veterans, who need help but to our friends, the Canadian Forces Veterans, in getting what the Veterans Bill of Rights stipulates: Respect, Dignity, Fairness and Courtesy.

Take care and keep healthy.

Gerry Pumphreyhorseman@ns.sympatico.ca

Phone: (902)865-1583

AGM Moncton 2018At our spring meeting yesterday in Riverview, it was decided that we would send an email to all members outlining the key positions that need to filled if we are to go forward with the bid for the 2018 National AGM in Moncton.

As you may already know, the procedures and guidelines for hosting an AGM are contained in the current Operations Manual under Part 4, Chapter 4.1. which can be found on the national website (www.rcmpvetsnational.ca). However, to make this email as brief as possible, only the title of the positions are listed.

They are:

• Chairperson

• Secretary

• Treasurer

• Finance Committee Chairperson

• Fund Raising Committee Chairperson

• Registration Committee Chairperson

• Transportation Committee Chairperson

• Accommodations Committee Chairperson

• Entertainment Committee Chairperson

• Spousal Program Chairperson

As I am sure you can appreciate, this event requires an extraordinary amount of planning if it is to be successful.

The purpose of this email is to elicit volunteers to fill these roles. There is much work to do and the earlier we start the better the outcome. Please reply to this email if you are interested in playing a role to make the Moncton 2018 AGM the best one to date.

Unfortunately, if we do not garner sufficient support for this project, we will be forced to rescind our bid.

Thanks and best regards,

Jim PaynePresident

Bursary ProgramThe 2014 Bursary committee members are Dale Lively, Blaine Chamberlain and Ray Brennan all of the St. Andrews area. The applications are on our website: nb.rcmpvet.ca under Forms on the left side of the screen. I have also attached a form to this email. The rules of the bursary program are as follows:• Open to Children and

Grandchildren of veterans of NB Division RCMP Veterans.

• Applications close on July 31, 2014.

• Applicants must have completed High School and be enrolled in University or NBCC School or equivalent.

• Applicants age limit is 25 yrs.• Winners are selected by a random

draw of all applications. This year we will be making draws for seven (7) $500 bursaries. Of the 7, two are named in memory of deceased veterans. One is in memory of deceased veteran Doug Horne and one is in memory of deceased veteran Tom Winter. Completed applications must be mailed to Dale Lively, 307 Water Street, St. Andrews, NB, E5B 1B9. Good luck to all applicants! Rollie MacNeilSecretary NB Vets

T H E V E T S ’ R E V I E W

12 THE VETS’ REVIEW - NB DIVISION

RCMP Vet Mark BRIDGES gave an interesting presentation on the International Police Association to the J Div Vets Association at our Spring Meeting."The International Police Association is one of the most unique and interesting social organizations in the world. This fraternal organization is dedicated "to unite in service and friendship all active and retired members of the law enforcement service throughout the world"....The IPA - Atlantic Region would like to invite all law enforcement personnel to attend their first Annual Picnic and BBQ. This event is being hosted at the Shediac Bay Yacht Club on the shores of Shediac Bay, in the Town of Shediac, N.B. Re: 1st Annual BBQ of the IPA Atlantic Shediac, N.B. June 21st, 2014 (from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM)The IPA is the oldest and largest fraternal law enforcement association in the world consisting of more than 420,000 personnel, with the view to establishing ties of friendship and mutual aid among them.The selected venue is a spectacular location overlooking the yachts at the SBYC. Established in 1933, this historic yacht club is among the oldest and the largest in Atlantic Canada. We have the use of the club facilities including a small kitchen and a large BBQ. We will have numerous picnic tables for alfresco dining on the lawn outside the building.We intend to offer a selection of BBQ fare including sausages, and hamburgers, as well as a selection of salads, and snacks. Non-alcoholic beverages such as pop and water will also be provided. Arrangements will be made for some musical entertainment. We will have some lawn games for young and young at heart. It will be a great occasion to connect with new friends, and reconnect with old friends.The fee to participate is $10 per person, with children 12 and under free. This will cover the cost of food and soft drinks as well as the SBYC facility. RSVP by sending a cheque payable to IPA Region 16 - Atlantic to:

IPA Atlantic - Region 1644 Nathalie St. Dieppe, N.B.E1A 8T9

Considering that our event is at a yacht club, we will assist anyone interested in

arranging a sailing or motor boating outing to connect with SBYC members willing to

take individual members along for a sail (weather/numbers permitting).

SBYC will welcome our guests to enjoy their facilities, and children will be able

to have a close-up look at the boats used by the Shediac Bay Sailing School.Please help us make the IPA 1st Annual BBQ event a success by bringing your family and friends.

--------------------------------------------------------------------L’IPA désire inviter tout le personnel ayant œuvré dans le domaine de l’application de la loi à son 1er BBQ annuel qui aura lieu au Yatch Club de la Baie de Shediac dans la ville de Shediac, N-B.L’IPA est la plus ancienne et la plus importante association fraternelle du personnel du domaine de l‘application de la loi dans le monde et est constitué de plus de 420,000 membres dans 64 pays. Son objectif est de regrouper le personnel actif et retraité qui relève de l’application de la loi, afin de resserrer leurs liens d’amitié, de coopération et d’entraide entre eux.Le SBYC est un site spectaculaire sur la rive de la baie de Shediac , dans la ville de Shediac au N.-B. Créé en 1933, ce club de yacht historique est parmi les plus anciens et le plus grand au Canada Atlantique. Nous avons réservé leur facilité qui est équipé d'une cuisine et d’un grand barbecue. Nous aurons de nombreuses tables de pique-nique pour manger en plein air sur la pelouse à l'extérieur du bâtiment.Nous avons l'intention d'offrir une sélection de plats de barbecue y compris les saucisses, hamburgers ainsi que d'un choix de salades et des collations. Les boissons non alcoolisées telles que des «soft-drinks» et de l'eau seront également fournis. Des dispositions seront prises pour un divertissement musical. Nous aurons quelques jeux de

1st Annual BBQ of the IPA AtlanticShediac NB June 21st

S E Q U O I A C L U B

13 THE VETS’ REVIEW - NB DIVISION

pelouse pour les jeunes et les moins jeunes. Ce sera une excellente occasion de rencontrer de nouveaux amis, et de renouer avec de vieux amis.Le coût pour la participation sera de 10 $ par personne et gratuit pour les enfants de moins de 12 ans. Cela couvrira le coût des aliments et des boissons non alcoolisées ainsi que le coût de la location de l’établissement. RSVP en envoyant un chèque à l'ordre IPA Région 16 – Atlantique à:IPA Atlantic - Region 1644 rue Nathalie, Dieppe, N.-B.E1A 8T9Compte tenu que l’événement est à un yacht club, nous allons aider tous ceux qui sont intéressé à une sortie à la voile ou en bateau à moteur à rencontrer les membres du SBYC pour arranger une sortie sur mer (météo / si le nombre le permet). Le SBYC invitera nos participants à profiter de leurs installations, et les enfants seront en mesure de jeter un oeil en gros plan des bateaux utilisés par l'école de voile de la baie de Shediac.S'il vous plaît aidez-nous à faire un succès du 1er BBQ annuel de l’IPA en apportant votre famille et vos amis.

Bernie BergevinPresident of IPA Atlantic