The Ontario Court of Appeal in Rivers v. Waterloo Regional Police Services
Board has upheld the Superior Court of Justice's
determination that it was without jurisdiction to hear a proposed
class action on behalf of current and former female officers with
the Waterloo Regional Police Service against the Waterloo Regional
Police Services Board and the Waterloo Regional Police Association.
The claim alleged systemic genderbased discrimination, Charter
breaches, and sexual harassment by male members of the Service,
over a 30-year period.
The Superior Court followed prior decisions in confirming that
the putative class members were bound by their respective
collective bargaining agreements, which provided for binding
arbitration, as codified under the Police Services Act. For a more
detailed analysis of the lower Court's decision.