|
Police - RCMP Superannuation Act (RSA). McQuade v. Canada (Attorney General) [disab pension]
In McQuade v. Canada (Attorney General) (Fed CA, 2025) the Federal Court of Appeal allowed a class plaintiffs' certification motion appeal, this where they "sought certification of a class proceeding, as representative plaintiffs, on behalf of a class of current and former regular members of the RCMP with an Operational Stress Injury".
Here the court summarizes the RCMP Superannuation Act disability pension scheme:II. The Disability Pension Regime
[7] As the entitlement to a disability pension lies at the heart of the issues on appeal, I start with a brief description of the regime under which the disability pensions are payable.
[8] Each of the proposed representative plaintiffs received a disability pension pursuant to section 32 of the RCMP Superannuation Act. The specific events giving rise to their pensions are discussed below in the context of their suitability as representative plaintiffs.
[9] Section 32 provides awards for permanent disability (physical or mental) connected to service. Section 32 of the RCMP Superannuation Act provides:"32 Subject to this Part and the regulations, an award in accordance with the ""Pension Act shall be granted to or in respect of the following persons if the injury or disease — or the aggravation of the injury or disease — resulting in the disability or death in respect of which the application for the award is made arose out of, or was directly connected with, the person’s service in the Force:"
"32"" Sous réserve des autres dispositions de la présente partie et des règlements, une compensation conforme à la ""Loi sur les pensions"" doit être accordée, chaque fois que la blessure ou la maladie — ou son aggravation — ayant causé l’invalidité ou le décès sur lequel porte la demande de compensation était consécutive ou se rattachait directement au service dans la Gendarmerie, à toute personne, ou à l’égard de toute personne :"
"(a) any person to whom Part VI of the former Act applied at any time before April 1, 1960 who, either before or after that time, has suffered a disability or has died; and"
"a)"" visée à la partie VI de l’ancienne loi à tout moment avant le 1er avril 1960, qui, avant ou après cette date, a subi une invalidité ou est décédée;"
"(b) any person who served in the Force at any time after March 31, 1960 as a contributor under Part I of this Act and who has suffered a disability, either before or after that time, or has died."
"b)"" ayant servi dans la Gendarmerie à tout moment après le 31 mars 1960 comme contributeur selon la partie I de la présente loi, et qui a subi une invalidité avant ou après cette date, ou est décédée." [10] Applications for disability pension benefits are made to Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC). The amount of a disability pension depends on the degree to which the disability is related to service and the extent of the disability. A disability pension for mental health-related disabilities is paid only for a formal, medically diagnosed disability or disabling condition, as informed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
[11] An applicant who is dissatisfied with a VAC decision may request a review based on new evidence. There is no limit on the number of reviews and there are no time limits for bringing an initial application or seeking a review. An applicant who is dissatisfied with the results of a VAC decision may apply to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board for a review of the decision. There is no time limit for an appeal to the Board. A detailed description of the disability pension regime is found in Canada v. Hirschfield, 2025 FCA 17 at paras. 10-25.
|
