iN DISCUSSION: Vernon Mounties face tough choices in toxic work environment

This is where cold hard facts give way to the hottest of takes, mostly mine I suppose. I’m the editor, Marshall Jones.

Want to include yours? Listen, this isn’t the comment section, this isn’t social media. Discussion and debate requires context and a wee bit of bravery — we need your name and where you’re writing from. Include it in your account or email me anytime.

Go Canada Go, despite the time zone challenges

Gotta write this quickly, Canada vs Finland Olympic hockey semi-final is minutes away for me.

These morning games are a logistical, over-caffeinated nightmare for most of us but how disappointing for local pubs. They could have used a boost. They’d probably even have customers. The gold medal game will be at 5:10 a.m. on a Sunday. Bronze medal games is Saturday at a decent 11:40 a.m.

Calgary could have hosted these Olympics if it wanted. Residents turned it down. I remember Calgary ’88 and of course Vancouver 2010. I don’t know about dollars and cents of it all, but how cool and cozy would a maple leaf love-in be right now — from outside the country and within.

Look, my relationship with CBC is complicated. I have to give them money and then compete against them and their much larger budget. But full credit, CBC Gem had this Olympics figured out.

Also, Canadian curlers could sweep up their language on an international stage, I vote for more dogs in Olympic events and man, do I want to go to Italy.

Are you digging these games? Tell me about it, mjones@infonews.ca.

Marshall Jones

Managing Editor

GO CANADA GO!

It’s time for North Okanagan politicians to speak up about RCMP toxic management

I don’t know how to explain how desperate some Mounties in Vernon must be to speak with reporters at all, let alone tell Ben Bulmer about serious trouble at their detachment.

‘TOXIC’: Bullying from Vernon’s top Mountie forcing members to flee, cops say

It just doesn’t happen, but it did and we’re going to have to deal with it.

A growing number of Mounties at the Vernon detachment are risking good jobs, their careers, their pensions and life in the North Okanagan because toxic management isn’t worth it any longer.

Look, I know this is a long story, but it’s an important one. These folks, who you depend on as your last line of defence, are struggling.

They’re told to do things they aren’t sure are legal, others they know aren’t legal. They’ve seen too many cops railroaded by the guy in charge. That makes recruitment and retention worse so once again the detachment struggles to put out a full watch some shifts, they ‘risk it out’.

Three cops covering the entire North Okanagan, a huge area. Just think how dangerous that is.

And Dave Goodyear, who as a cop, saw all the things you and your family are glad you don’t see. It takes its toll. He sought help and only got more punishment.

Mounties all saw what happened to him and that’s why we’re here today. They have nowhere else to turn for help but their own community. Ben was very busy yesterday hearing more corroboration.

What happens when a critical mass of non-confidence in Supt. Blake MacLeod meets an institution designed to protect him?

Except this isn’t an institutional naval-gazing exercise, this is playing out in a detachment paid for by the citizens and the City of Vernon and North Okanagan communities.

Are they listening? Will mayors and councillors show leadership, mediate, advocate, acknowledge their concerns? Or will they melt and wilt again, clench and throw up their hands to mutter a cowardly ‘no comment’ and tap out, surely a luxury Vernon Mounties don’t have.

Stay tuned. We’re sticking with this story.

Marshall Jones

Managing Editor

U.S. Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s use of emergencies law for tariffs

Canada just needs to stay the course and keep finding new trading partners.