Quebec's police departments are heading to court in their ongoing fight against pension reform.
A federation of police forces across the province (FPMQ) is launching a court challenge to a pension reform law which will see most police officers and other municipal civil servants contribute more to their city-administered pension plans.
The provincial argument passed a law reforming pension plans last year, arguing that municipal pension plans were facing a multi-billion dollar shortfall caused by years of poor stock performance and under-contributions from municipalities.
In the lead-up to the passage of Bill 3 there were numerous protests from police forces, fire departments, and other civil servants across Quebec. Many municipal workers continue to report to work without their proper uniforms and have plastered their vehicles with stickers.
Now police officers are planning a court challenge, saying the modified law violates their constitutional right to freedom of association and collective bargaining.
FPMQ vice-president Paulin Aubé said some officers could lose $200,000 in benefits because of the changes implemented by Bill 3.
The organization also argued that 25 out of 30 police force pension plans have enough funds to cover pensions for their members.
The FPMQ is anticipating a lengthy court case that will go to the Supreme Court of Canada and take six years to be resolved.
Meanwhile the federation of police officers is also calling for an end to municipal-administered pension plans.
The group says it would like to take control of the pension plans and create a province-wide fund for the use of police officers, no matter which municipality they work for.
The FPMQ represents 4,500 police officers across Quebec.
