Read the complete article, “Claims mined for $368M in federal loot,” here.
The federal government paid out more than $368 million last year for misdeeds ranging from false arrests by the RCMP to accidents with army vehicles or lost personal items belonging to prison inmates. According to documents tabled yesterday, the RCMP shelled out $11.9 million to resolve claims against the Crown, including hundreds of settlements for damages to vehicles or personal property, excessive use of force or false arrest. There were also 11 claims worth $225,000 to settle human rights complaints and a $20,000 payout for “breach of Charter of Rights,” but names were withheld for privacy reasons. Other “ex gratia” payments of $108,437 were made to compensate Mounties for damaged glasses or other personal property. The defence department paid $14.5 million for accidents with departmental vehicles, personal injuries and human rights claims. Included on its list were 30 payments to recipients in Afghanistan worth $77,703, another $931,000 to 25 injured ex-Canadian Forces members, and $548,865 for 25 payments for “ministerial claims” under the Canadian Human Rights Act.



