Mountie’s lawsuit over promotion battle dismissed in Kamloops courtroom

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – A former RCMP corporal in Kamloops, B.C., has lost his legal battle against the force.

Grant Aune argued he was denied promotion to sergeant after his score on a performance test was underestimated.

He successfully filed a grievance in 1998 and the Mounties were ordered to create a performance report for the promotion board so Aune’s scores could be reviewed.

But two years later, with the issue still unresolved, Aune accepted a job with the Insurance Corporation of B.C. and left the force.

He launched court action against the Mounties but a B.C. Supreme Court judge has dismissed the claim, saying Aune left the force for a new job and failed to prove his departure was linked to negligence or the slow pace of the grievance.

Justice Hope Hyslop noted in her judgement that had Aune remained with the RCMP and won his suit, his damages would have amounted to $402,000 for pension loss and loss of income. (CHNL)