The Federal Court of Canada has approved the settlement between the Government of Canada and the members of a class action regarding the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) long-term disability (LTD) insurance plan.
The settlement of White and Buote v. Her Majesty the Queen will provide approximately $70 million in benefits, made up of $30.6 million in retroactive payments, $9.1 million for interest on those payments and $30.3 million in future benefits.
This case was initiated in June 2008 by A. Gerard Buote on behalf of all disabled RCMP veterans whose LTD benefits were being reduced by the amount of their monthly Veterans Affairs disability pension payments. Buote passed away in 2009, and David White assumed the role of representative plaintiff.
From now on, RCMP members on LTD will no longer have their benefits reduced under the provisions of the Pension Act.
“This negotiated settlement reconfirms the Government of Canada’s commitment to the care and well-being of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police personnel,” said Tony Clement, president of the Treasury Board. “This settlement is in the best interest of RCMP members and Canadian taxpayers.”
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