Earlier this month, the Harbour Grace native was among hundreds of former Mounties and civilian members who welcomed news of a settlement to a pair of class-action lawsuits. The federal government has agreed to a $100-million payout.
“I was saying it’s almost like getting out of a bad relationship, because even though I was retired with this lawsuit still ongoing, I was still connected to it,” Merlo told The Compass last week. “Yeah, it’s going to bring a lot of closure for me, for sure.”
Merlo was a representative plaintiff in one of the lawsuits and travelled to Ottawa earlier this month to join RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale and Labour Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk for the announcement.
According to a Canadian Press account of the event, Paulson was visibly emotional as he offered an apology.
“You came to the RCMP wanting to personally contribute to your community and we failed you. We hurt you. For that, I am truly sorry,” he said, according to The Canadian Press. – READ MORE
