Regulations Amending the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Regulations and the Former Members of Parliament Counting of Service Regulations: SOR/2026-150
Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 160, Number 13
Registration
SOR/2026-150 June 22, 2026
ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE SUPERANNUATION ACT
P.C. 2026-639 June 22, 2026
Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, makes the annexed Regulations Amending the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Regulations and the Former Members of Parliament Counting of Service Regulations under section 26footnote a, subsection 26.1(1)footnote b and paragraph 27(2)(a)footnote c of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Actfootnote d.
Regulations Amending the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Regulations and the Former Members of Parliament Counting of Service Regulations
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Regulations
1 The heading before section 5 of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Regulationsfootnote 1 is replaced by the following:
Period of Service
2 Paragraph 9(2)(a) of the English version of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
- (a) the end of the period that is chosen by the contributor, which must be not later than the later of 20 years and the contributor’s 65th birthday, and
3 Subsections 9.02(2) and (3) of the Regulations are replaced by the following:
(2) Notice must be sent to the contributor after the default.
(3) However, if the contributor is on leave of absence without pay or if the contributor has ceased to be a member of the Force and is entitled to an annual allowance or a deferred annuity that has not yet become payable, the notice must be sent to them after the day on which they return to work or the payment of the allowance or annuity begins.
4 (1) The portion of subsection 9.03(1) of the Regulations before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:
9.03 (1) The contributor must, within 30 days after the date of the notice of default,
(2) Paragraph 9.03(1)(b) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
- (b) opt to pay the arrears in monthly instalments over a period that corresponds to the period beginning on the day on which they first default on the payment and ending on the date of the notice.
(3) Subsection 9.03(2) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
(2) Arrears that are paid in a lump sum bear interest, compounded annually, beginning on the day of the payment default and ending on the date of the notice of default, at a rate equal to the projected rate of return of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pension Fund that was used in the preparation of the actuarial valuation report that was most recently laid before Parliament, in accordance with section 30 of the Act, before the date of the notice or, if that report was laid before Parliament in the month in which that date falls or in the preceding month, of the report that was laid before Parliament immediately before that report.
5 (1) Paragraph 9.04(a) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
- (a) calculated using the mortality rates used in the preparation of the actuarial valuation report that was most recently laid before Parliament, in accordance with section 30 of the Act, before the date of the notice of default or, if that report was laid before Parliament in the month in which that date falls or in the preceding month, of the report that was laid before Parliament immediately before that report, and shall bear interest, compounded annually, at a rate equal to the projected rate of return of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pension Fund that was used in the preparation of the report; and
(2) The portion of paragraph 9.04(b) of the Regulations before subparagraph (i) is replaced by the following:
- (b) payable on the first day of each month after the date of the notice, until the earlier of
6 Subsection 9.06(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
9.06 (1) A contributor who establishes that financial hardship, that was unforeseen at the time the election was made will be caused if the contributor is required to continue to pay the instalments may extend the period of instalments, but the total of the period chosen under paragraph 9(2)(a) and the extension must not exceed three times the period chosen under that paragraph or 15 years, whichever is the lesser.
7 Paragraph 9.07(c) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
- (c) a notice of default has been sent in respect of the amount, together with interest, and it is paid within 30 days after the date of the notice.
8 Section 9.091 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
9.091 A contributor who opts to pay for a period of service referred to in clause 6(b)(ii)(L), (N), (O) or (P) of the Act in a lump sum must ensure that the amount to be paid, despite paragraph 8(5)(a) of the Act, is received by the Commissioner within 30 days after the date of the notice informing the contributor of the amount.
9 (1) The portion of subsection 10(1) of the Regulations before paragraph (b) is replaced by the following:
10 (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), the contribution that a contributor who is absent from the Force on leave of absence without pay must pay to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pension Fund is
- (a) in respect of the first three months of the leave, the amount that the contributor would have been required to contribute under section 5 of the Act had they not been on leave of absence without pay; and
(2) Subsection 10(2) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
(2) Subject to subsection 6.1(2) of the Act, if a contributor is absent from the Force on leave of absence without pay, the leave is one of the following and the Commissioner confirms in writing that the contributor is absent for such a leave, the contribution that the contributor must pay to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pension Fund for that period of leave is the amount that they would have been required to contribute under section 5 of the Act had they not been on leave of absence without pay:
- (a) a leave of absence without pay taken for the purpose of providing care or support to a person during a period for which unemployment benefits are payable to the contributor under section 23.1, 23.2 or 23.3 of the Employment Insurance Act;
- (b) a leave of absence without pay taken to undergo training or instruction to the advantage of the Force;
- (c) a leave of absence without pay taken because of a physical or mental impairment that prevents the contributor from performing the duties of the employment in which they were engaged before having the impairment; or
- (d) a leave of absence without pay taken because of the contributor’s pregnancy, including any leave without pay taken during a period for which unemployment benefits may be payable to the contributor under section 22 of the Employment Insurance Act.
(3) The portion of subsection 10(3) of the Regulations before paragraph a) is replaced by the following:
(3) Subject to subsection 6.1(2) of the Act, if a contributor is absent from the Force on leave of absence without pay for one of the following reasons, the Commissioner confirms in writing that they are absent for one of those reasons and the leave is taken during a period for which unemployment benefits may be payable to the contributor under section 23 of the Employment Insurance Act or benefits may be payable to them under a provincial law for the same reasons as those for which unemployment benefits might be payable to them under that section, the contribution that the contributor must pay into the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pension Fund, for any portion of the leave that falls within the 78-week period following the day of the birth of their child or the day on which a child is placed with the contributor for the purpose of adoption, as the case may be, is the amount that the contributor would have been required to contribute under section 5 of the Act had they not been on leave of absence without pay:
(4) Paragraph 10(3)(a) of the English version of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
- (a) because of the birth of their child;
(5) Subsection 10(3) of the Regulations is amended by replacing the portion after paragraph (a) with the following:
- (b) to carry out parental responsibilities to their newborn child or the child placed with them for the purpose of adoption; or
- (c) to provide care and nurturing to their newborn child or the child placed with them for the purpose of adoption.
(6) Subsection 10(4) of the Regulations is repealed.
10 The portion of section 10.2 of the Regulations before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:
10.2 Subject to sections 10.3 to 10.5, an amount payable by a contributor under section 10 must be paid
11 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 10.3:
10.31 (1) Subject to sections 10.4 and 10.5, a contributor who is absent from the Force on leave of absence without pay to serve as a full-time paid official of a bargaining agent of the Force must pay to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pension Fund, in advance of each year or quarter of their period of leave, the amount that is required to be paid under subsection 10(1) for that year or quarter.
(2) If, on returning to duty, the contributor has not paid all of the amount that is required to be paid under subsection 10(1), the contributor must pay the balance remaining to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pension Fund in a lump sum within 30 days after their return to duty or by reservation from their pay in equal instalments for a period beginning on their return to duty and not exceeding the period for which advance payments were to have been made under subsection (1).
12 Subparagraph 10.4(a)(i) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
- (i) by reservation from the monthly instalment of the benefit of an amount equal to the amount of any instalment otherwise payable under paragraph 10.2(b) or subsection 10.31(2), as the case may be, or 30% of the gross amount of the monthly instalment, whichever is the lesser, or
13 Paragraph 10.5(b) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
- (b) by reservation from the monthly instalment of the allowance of an amount equal to the amount of any instalment payable by the contributor prior to their death, under paragraph 10.2(b) or subsection 10.31(2), as the case may be, or 30% of the gross amount of the monthly instalment, whichever is the lesser.
14 (1) The portion of subsection 10.6(1) of the Regulations before paragraph (b) is replaced by the following:
10.6 (1) Despite sections 10.2 to 10.5, if payment of an amount required under any of those sections would cause financial hardship to the contributor or a recipient, the contributor or recipient may choose to pay the amount payable
- (a) in respect of payment under section 10.2 or 10.31, as the case may be, by reservation from the contributor’s pay in approximately equal instalments over a period not exceeding three times the leave of absence without pay of the contributor or 15 years, whichever is the lesser; and
(2) Subsection 10.6(2) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
(2) Nothing in sections 10.2 to 10.31 prohibits the payment at any time before the time for payment specified in one of those sections of all or part of an amount payable under section 10.
15 (1) Section 10.7 of the Regulations is amended by adding the following after subsection (1):
(1.1) A contributor who makes an election referred to in subsection 6.1(1) of the Act must do so in writing and must date and sign the document evidencing that election.
(1.2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the day on which an election is made is the day on which the document evidencing it is signed.
(1.3) The contributor must send the document to the Commissioner within one month after the day on which it is signed.
(1.4) The day on which the document is sent is the day on which it is delivered or, if it is sent by mail, the day on which it is mailed, with the date of the postmark being evidence of that day.
(2) Subsection 10.7(4) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
(4) A revocation under subsection (2) must be made within three months after the date of the notice from an authorized advisor informing the contributor that erroneous or misleading information referred to in that subsection was given to them.
16 Sections 11.4 and 11.5 of the Regulations are replaced by the following:
11.5 Despite subsection 8(1) of the Act, a contributor who is no longer a member of the Force, who received, from an authorized advisor who normally gives information about such matters, erroneous or misleading information in respect of any election referred to in clauses 6(b)(ii)(L) to (P) of the Act and who failed to make the election while a member may make the election within one year after the date of the notice from such an advisor providing them with the corrected information.
17 Section 11.9 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
11.9 (1) A contributor who makes an election referred to in subparagraph 6(b)(ii) of the Act must date and sign the document evidencing the election.
(2) Despite subsection 8(1) of the Act, an election referred to in clause 6(b)(ii)(L), (O) or (P) of the Act need not be witnessed.
(3) An election under subparagraph 6(b)(ii) of the Act is made on the day on which the document evidencing the election is signed.
(4) Despite subsection 8(1) of the Act, the contributor must send the document evidencing an election under clause 6(b)(ii)(L), (O) or (P) of the Act to the Commissioner within one month after the day on which it is signed.
(5) The day on which the document evidencing an election under clause 6(b)(ii)(L), (O) or (P) of the Act is sent is the day on which it is delivered or, if it is sent by mail, the day on which it is mailed, with the date of the postmark being evidence of that day.
18 (1) Subparagraph 13(1)(b)(i) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
- (i) if financial hardship that was unforeseen at the time the election was made will be caused if the contributor is required to continue to make the payments,
(2) Paragraphs 13(1)(d) and (e) of the Regulations are replaced by the following:
- (d) if the contributor received, from an authorized advisor who normally gives information about such matters, erroneous or misleading information in respect of any election referred to in subparagraph 6(b)(ii) of the Act, failed to make the election and then made it within one year after the date of the notice from such an advisor providing them with the corrected information, while they were a member of the Force; or
- (e) if the contributor received, from an authorized advisor who normally gives information about such matters, erroneous or misleading information in respect of any election referred to in clauses 6(b)(ii)(L) to (P) of the Act, failed to make the election while they were a member of the Force and then made it after the date of the notice from such an advisor providing them with the corrected information.
(3) Subsection 13(2) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
(2) A contributor who revokes an election in the circumstances set out in subparagraph (1)(a)(ii) or paragraph (1)(b) must pay, in respect of the benefits that have accrued as a result of the election before it was revoked, an amount equal to the instalments that were payable before the revocation.
19 Subparagraph 15(b)(i) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
- (i) subject to section 17, within 30 days after the date of the notice informing them of the amount to be repaid, if they exercised the option under paragraph 11(3)(b) or (9)(b) or subsection 12(2) of the Act or were deemed under subsection 9(4) of the Act to have exercised the option, or
20 Subsection 16(3) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
(3) The contributor must exercise the new option within three months after the date of the notice informing them that the transfer of their pensionable service to the eligible employer was not possible.
21 Section 17 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
17 A contributor who is entitled to an annuity as a result of the exercise of a new option under subsection 9(5) of the Act or as a result of the exercise of an option under subsection 14(2) or 16(2) of these Regulations and to whom financial hardship that was unforeseen at the time the option was exercised will be caused if they are required to make the repayment referred to in subparagraph 15(b)(i) of these Regulations may make the repayment in approximately equal monthly instalments, by reservation from the annuity, of an amount not less than 10% of the gross monthly amount of the annuity and any supplementary benefit that relates to it.
22 The Regulations are amended by adding the following before section 26.2:
Examination referred to in paragraphs 8(2)(b) or (b.1) of the Act or subsection 26.1(3)
23 (1) Subsection 26.2(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
26.2 (1) A contributor must undergo the medical examination referred to in paragraph 8(2)(b) or (b.1) of the Act or in subsection 26.1(3) of these Regulations within six months before or after the day on which the election is made.
(2) Subsection 26.2(5) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
(5) A contributor to whom any one of subsections 26.1(1) to (3) applies and who does not pass the medical examination must pay the amount to be paid for the period of service for which the election was made within 30 days after the date of the notice informing them of the amount.
24 Subsection 35(2) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
(2) An election may be made under subsection (1) not later than three months after the date of the notice providing the contributor with the corrected information.
25 Paragraph 46(4)(a) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
- (a) within three months after the date of the notice from an authorized advisor providing them with the corrected information; or
26 Section 56 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
56 Subject to section 58, a contributor who ceases to be a member of the Force and who wishes to exercise an option for a transfer value must do so within one year after the day on which they cease to be a member of the Force.
27 (1) Paragraph 57(1)(b) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
- (b) the day that is six months after the date of the notice informing the contributor that they are entitled to exercise an option for a transfer value.
(2) Subsections 57(2) to (4) of the Regulations are replaced by the following:
(2) If the contributor establishes that they have not received the notice referred to in paragraph (1)(b), the following rules apply:
- (a) a notice must be sent to the contributor informing them that they are entitled to exercise an option for a transfer value; and
- (b) except if they have started receiving an annuity or an annual allowance under the Act, the contributor may exercise that option after the day provided for in subsection (1) but not later than three months after the date of the notice referred to in paragraph (a).
28 Schedules III and IV to the Regulations are repealed.
29 The English version of the Regulations is amended by replacing “these” with “such” in the following provisions:
- (a) the portion of subsection 10.7(2) before paragraph (a);
- (b) subparagraph 13(1)(a)(i);
- (c) the portion of subsection 35(1) before paragraph (a); and
- (d) paragraph 46(1)(a).
Former Members of Parliament Counting of Service Regulations
30 Subsection 1(2) of the Former Members of Parliament Counting of Service Regulationsfootnote 2 is repealed.
31 (1) Subsection 2(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
Date and signature
2 (1) The contributor who makes the election referred to in section 1 must sign and date the document evidencing that election.
(2) Subsection 2(2) of the English version of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
Day of election
(2) The day on which the election is made is the day on which the document is signed.
(3) Subsection 2(4) of the English version of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
Sending date
(4) The day on which the document is sent is the day on which it is delivered or, if it is sent by mail, the day on which it is mailed, with the date of the postmark being evidence of that day.
(4) Subsection 2(5) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
Contributor no longer member of the Force
(5) A contributor who is no longer a member of the Force, who received, from an authorized advisor who normally gives information about such matters, erroneous or misleading information in respect of an election and who failed to make the election while they were a member may make the election within one year after the date of the notice from such an advisor providing them with the corrected information.
(5) The portion of subsection 2(6) of the English version of the Regulations before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:
Revocation of election
(6) The contributor may revoke the election if they received, from an authorized advisor who normally gives information about such matters, erroneous or misleading information in respect of the election and
(6) Paragraph 2(6)(a) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
- (a) failed to make the election and then made it within one year after the date of the notice from such an advisor, providing them with the corrected information, while they were a member of the Force; or
32 Section 4 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
Amount to be paid
4 (1) A contributor who was paid a withdrawal allowance under the Members of Parliament Retiring Allowances Act and who makes an election referred to in section 1 must pay the following amount to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pension Fund, calculated on the annual rate of pay that the contributor is deemed under subsection 3(2) to be receiving on the day on which the election is made, with interest:
- (a) if the period in respect of which the withdrawal allowance was paid is before January 1, 2000, the amount that would have been payable under subsection 5(1) of the Act as it read on December 31, 1999;
- (b) if the period is after 1999 but before January 1, 2004, the amount that would have been payable under subsection 5(1) of the Act as it read on December 31, 2003;
- (c) if the period is after 2003 but before January 1, 2013, the amount that would have been payable under subsection 5(2) of the Act as it read on December 31, 2012; and
- (d) if the period is after 2012, the amount that would have been payable under subsection 5(1) of the Act.
Definition of interest
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), interest means simple interest at 4% per year from the middle of the fiscal year in which the contributions made under the Act would have been made, had the contributor been required to make those contributions during the period for which the contributor elected to pay, until the time of the election.
33 Subsections 8(2) and (3) of the Regulations are replaced by the following:
Notice
(2) Notice must be sent to the contributor after the default.
Deferred notice
(3) However, if the contributor is on leave without pay or if they have ceased to be a member of the Force and are entitled to an annual allowance or a deferred annuity that has not yet become payable, the notice must be sent to them after the day on which they return to work or the payment of the allowance or annuity begins.
34 (1) The portion of subsection 9(1) of the Regulations before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:
Time limit for payment
9 (1) The contributor must, within 30 days after the date of the notice of default,
(2) Paragraph 9(1)(b) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
- (b) opt to pay the arrears in monthly instalments over a period that corresponds to the period beginning on the day on which the contributor first defaults on the payment and ending on the date of the notice.
(3) Subsection 9(2) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
Interest — arrears paid in lump sum
(2) Arrears that are paid in a lump sum bear interest, compounded annually, beginning on the day of the payment default and ending on the date of the notice of default, at a rate equal to the projected rate of return of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pension Fund that was used in the preparation of the actuarial valuation report that was most recently laid before Parliament, in accordance with section 30 of the Act, before the date of the notice of default or, if that report was laid before Parliament in the month in which that day falls or in the preceding month, of the report that was laid before Parliament immediately before that report.
35 (1) Paragraph 10(a) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
- (a) calculated using the mortality rates used in the preparation of the actuarial valuation report that was most recently laid before Parliament, in accordance with section 30 of the Act, before the date of the notice of default or, if that report was laid before Parliament in the month in which that date falls or in the preceding month, of the report that was laid before Parliament immediately before that report, and that bear interest, compounded annually, at a rate equal to the projected rate of return of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pension Fund that was used in the preparation of the report; and
(2) The portion of paragraph 10(b) of the Regulations before subparagraph (i) is replaced by the following:
- (b) payable on the first day of each month after the date of the notice, until the earlier of
36 Subsection 12(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
Financial hardship
12 (1) A contributor who establishes that financial hardship that was unforeseen at the time the election referred to in section 1 was made will be caused if the contributor is required to continue to pay the instalments may extend the period of instalments, but the total of the period chosen under paragraph 6(1)(a) and the extension must not exceed three times the period chosen under that paragraph or 15 years, whichever is the lesser.
37 Paragraph 13(c) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
- (c) a notice of default has been sent in respect of the amount, together with interest, and it is paid within 30 days after the date of the notice.
38 Section 17 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:
Lump sum payment
17 A contributor who opts to pay in a lump sum under section 5 or who does not pass the medical examination required under section 15 must ensure that the lump sum is received by the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police within 30 days after the date of the notice informing the contributor of the amount.
Coming into Force
39 These Regulations come into force on the day on which they are registered.
REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT
(This statement is not part of the Regulations.)
Issues
RCMP members are required to pay pension contributions at a higher rate than public service employees from the federal public sector for periods of leave without pay for extended parental and compassionate care and care for a critically ill family member. The high cost of leave combined with women’s disproportionate caregiving roles exacerbates gender inequality. Amendments to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Regulations (RCMP Superannuation Regulations) are needed to change the pension contribution rates.
RCMP members may take leave without pay to serve as a full-time paid employee of a bargaining agent, while continuing to contribute to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pension Plan (Pension Plan). Regulatory provisions are needed to prescribe the time and manner to pay pension contributions, similar to those provided to the core public service.
Amendments are also required to address issues of clarity, consistency and duplication raised by the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations (SJCSR) in the Former Members of Parliament Counting of Service Regulations (Former Members Regulations) and the RCMP Superannuation Regulations.
Background
Members of the RCMP, including regular and civilian members appointed under the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, as well as the employer, are required to make pension contributions in the Pension Plan. The Pension Plan is a defined benefit plan designed to provide a lifetime retirement income. The benefits are based on a member’s average annual salary and years of pensionable service (service for which contributions were paid), and the eligibility of benefits is based on years of service with the RCMP, pensionable service, age, or both age and service.
The Pension Plan is governed by the provisions of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Act (RCMP Superannuation Act), the RCMP Superannuation Regulations, and the Former Members Regulations. The RCMP Superannuation Act and its Regulations set out the rules for overall pension matters related to the Pension Plan, while the Former Members Regulations provide the rules specific to Pension Plan members who elect to count prior service as a member of the House of Commons or as a Senator as pensionable service under the Pension Plan.
The RCMP Superannuation Act allows members of the Pension Plan to continue to accrue pensionable service during periods of employer-approved leave without pay. The timing and rates of repayment of pension contributions are set out in the RCMP Superannuation Regulations. Generally, members are required to pay twice their pension contributions (double rate) after the first three months of leave without pay. However, the RCMP Superannuation Regulations allow for certain exemptions to this rule based on the purpose of the leave.
Pension contribution rate for extended parental, compassionate, and critical care leave
In 2017, the Employment Insurance Act and the Canada Labour Code expanded leave without pay for caregiving purposes by offering parental leave of up to 63 weeks and leave for compassionate and critical care ranging between 15 and 35 weeks. These changes sought to encourage further female participation in the economy by acknowledging that responsibility for caregiving limits participation rates.
The RCMP Superannuation Regulations required that members on leave without pay for extended parental and compassionate care contribute to the Pension Plan at a single rate (i.e. only the employee’s portion) for the first three months of leave; if the member chose to make the rest of the period of leave without pay pensionable time, they were required to pay contributions at the double rate (twice the employee portion) or two and a half times the rate, depending on when the leave started.
Payment of pension contributions for leave to work as a paid official of an RCMP bargaining agent
The RCMP has an arrangement with bargaining agents that allows members to work as a full-time paid official of an RCMP bargaining agent while retaining their RCMP member status. This arrangement was modelled after similar arrangements between the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) and public service unions. Members are required to continue payment of pension contributions to the Pension Plan, which allows members to continue to accumulate pensionable service with the RCMP.
Review by the SJCSR
In 2016, the SJCSR raised concerns about clarity, consistency, and duplication in some provisions of the Former Members Regulations, including unnecessary duplication of provisions between the RCMP Superannuation Act and the Former Members Regulations, and the use of vague terms like “as soon as feasible.” Upon review, the RCMP noted similar issues in the RCMP Superannuation Regulations.
Objective
The objectives of the amendments are to
- modernize the Pension Plan, promote equity with federal public sector contributors, and make parental, compassionate and critical care leave more affordable for members, enhancing the RCMP’s competitiveness in attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce;
- address the caregiving-related financial barriers which disproportionately affect women and help mitigate gender disparities in the current policy;
- promote consistent service delivery, support reliable plan funding, strengthen transparency and reflect democratic accountability by regulating payment terms for active contributors of the Pension Plan who are loaned to unions; and
- reduce ambiguity as recommended by the SJCSR, making it easier for stakeholders to understand and follow the rules.
Description
The RCMP Superannuation Regulations are amended for periods of extended parental care and for compassionate and critical care leave without pay, to require the payment of pension contributions at the same rate as the member would have been required to pay had they not been on leave, for the entire period of leave.
The RCMP Superannuation Regulations are amended to add provisions to prescribe that a member on leave to work as a full-time paid official of a bargaining agent must pay, by lump sum, double the employee’s share of contributions in advance of each quarter or year of their period of leave. The amendments include provisions for any amount owing after the end of the leave period. Additionally, provisions for the payment term have been added, including for active, terminated, retired and deceased members, as well as for situations of financial hardship.
The Former Members Regulations are amended to add the interest rate and the manner to elect prior service as a member of Parliament as pensionable under the Pension Plan. They are also amended to provide instructions on how to make an election for a period of leave without pay that the member had opted not to count as pensionable service.
Administrative and housekeeping amendments
The Former Members Regulations are amended to
- repeal the provision that requires that a contributor must make an election no later than the day on which they cease to be a member of the Force when buying back prior service, as this rule is already stated in the RCMP Superannuation Act;
- amend the provision setting out the requirement to sign and date an election to buy back a period of service under the Members of Parliament Retiring Allowances Act;
- amend the provision setting out the day of election to provide greater clarity;
- amend the provision regarding a contributor who is no longer a member of the Force to remove the reference to a repealed section; and
- amend the provision for making an election after revocation to remove an obsolete reference.
RCMP Superannuation Regulations are amended to
- change the word “participant” to “contributor” to ensure consistent terminology with regards to eligible members of the Pension Plan;
- remove the term “as soon as feasible” in relation to when a notice is to be sent;
- replace the word “shall” with “must” to strengthen the requirement to do an action;
- amend the provision with respect to financial hardship to clarify that the contributor is entitled to an extension of the repayment period, not to exceed three times the original period or 15 years, whichever is shorter;
- amend the provision providing the timeline for revocation of an election to clarify the method of notice;
- repeal the provision that requires the member to be an active contributor when buying back prior service of the RCMP, as this rule is already stated in the RCMP Superannuation Act, and remove an obsolete reference;
- amend revocation provisions to specify that corrected information must be provided in the form of a notice;
- clarify that the pension benefit is proportionate to the instalments that were payable before the revocation, in the case of a partial revocation for a service buyback;
- amend the language with respect to financial hardship provisions for a contributor receiving an annuity as a result of a new option;
- amend the provision, which refers to the timeline for exercising a transfer value within one year to remove an obsolete reference;
- repeal the schedules that contained the prescribed election forms; and
- remove references to the prescribed election forms in Schedule IV.
Multiple sections of the Former Members Regulations and the RCMP Superannuation Regulations are amended to
- remove the term “undue” from references to financial hardship;
- change references to the date a notice is received to the date of a notice;
- remove the vague term “as soon as possible.”
Regulatory development
Consultation
The proposed amendments were presented to the RCMP Pension Advisory Committee in 2022, and they responded in favour of the proposal. This Committee, whose membership includes representatives of members, including bargaining agents and pensioner representation, has a statutory mandate to review matters respecting the administration, design and funding of the Pension Plan and to make recommendations to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness about those matters.
This proposal was not prepublished in the Canada Gazette, Part I, because its application is limited to members of the Pension Plan and does not impact the general public.
Indigenous engagement, consultation and modern treaty obligations
This proposal is not expected to have an impact on Indigenous Peoples nor on Canada’s modern treaty obligations.
Instrument choice
There is no alternative instrument to address these issues.
The types of leave without pay that allow the repayment of pension contributions at the single rate and the time and manner to pay pension contributions for periods of leave without pay are prescribed in the RCMP Superannuation Regulations. Regulatory amendments are the only available instrument to address these issues.
Regulatory amendments are also the only instrument to address the concerns from the SJCSR with regards to the Former Members Regulations.
Regulatory analysis
Benefits and costs
Several of these proposed amendments, including those in response to the SJCSR, are administrative in nature and have no financial impact. The amendments addressing pension contributions during periods of leave without pay to serve as a full-time paid official of a bargaining agent that represents members of the RCMP are also administrative in nature in that the contributions will continue to be paid at a double rate, but will now be required to be paid in a lump sum in advance of each year or quarter of their period of leave.
There is a financial impact of the proposed changes for periods of leave without pay for extended parental, compassionate and critical care because, instead of paying double the employee contributions (double rate) for those periods of leave, the member will pay a single rate and the employer will be required to pay their share of the contributions as though the member had not taken the leave. This constitutes an incremental benefit to the employee and an incremental cost to the employer. The cost to the employer represents an equivalent gain for the members.
Estimates of these costs are the difference between the amount paid by the employee if the leave without pay would remain a double rate cost and the amount that would have been paid under single rate contributions using 2025 rates and the maximum salary at the constable level of $115,350. For periods of leave that pertain to extended parental, compassionate and critical care, employer contributions are estimated at $5,667.70 and $5,195.45 per year per participant, respectively. Contributions for periods of leave for compassionate and critical care are slightly less because the maximum additional leave available at the single rate is five and a half months compared to six months for parental leave.
The number of active members in the RCMP totals 21 646. It is estimated that an annual average of 755 individuals will take parental leave. Of these, 672 are individuals who took the standard leave (12 months) entitlement and choose to take extended parental leave (18 months), while the remaining 83 are individuals who would not have taken parental leave but will do so because of these regulations. The benefits are estimated at $31.5M.
Additionally, 37 individuals on average take caregiving leave each year. Following the implementation of reduced contributions’ cost, the uptake is expected to rise to 42 individuals on average. The benefits are estimated at $1.6M.
There are administrative costs associated with setting new leave codes and reviewing cases amounting to a total implementation cost of $15,496 over 10 years.
The total cost over the next 10 years is estimated to be $33.1M.
A detailed cost-benefit analysis report was completed for this proposal and is available upon request.
Cost-benefit statement
- Number of years: 10 (from 2025–2026 to 2034–2035 inclusively)
- Price-level year: 2025
- Present value (PV) base year: 2025–2026
- Discount rate: 7%
| Impacted stakeholder | Description of benefit | 2025–2026 | 2026–2027 | 2034–2035 | Total (PV) | Annualized value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Members of the RCMP — Extended parental leave | Financial gain related to lower contributions costs | $0M | $2.2M | $45M | $31.5M | $4.5M |
| Members of the RCMP — Compassionate and critical care leave | Financial gain related to lower contributions costs | $0M | $0.2M | $2.3M | $1.6M | $0.2M |
| All stakeholders | Total benefits | $0M | $2.4M | $47.3M | $33.1M | $4.7M |
| Impacted stakeholder | Description of cost | 2025–2026 | 2026–2027 | 2034–2035 | Total (PV) | Annualized value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCMP | Loss of the gain associated with the contributions for extended parental, compassionate and critical care leave | $0M | $2.4M | $47.3M | $33.1M | $4.7M |
| Government | Implementation costs | $2,576 | $1,419 | $15,496 | $11,135 | $1,585 |
| All stakeholders | Total costs | -$2,576 | $2.4M | $47.3M | $33.1M | $4.7M |
| Impacts | 2025–2026 | 2026–2027 | 2035–2036 | Total (PV) | Annualized value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total benefits | $0M | $2.4M | $47.3M | $33.1M | $4.7M |
| Total costs | $2,576 | $2.4M | $47.3M | $33.1M | $4.7M |
| Net impact | - $2,576 | $0M | $0M | $0 | $0M |
Quantified (non-$) and qualitative impacts
The amendments offer members a more affordable pension benefit, helping to reduce the inequities faced by those who take leave without pay for parental or caregiving responsibilities. By aligning with the provisions of the public service pension plan, these changes promote greater fairness and consistency between members and contributors, advancing equity across the Government of Canada.
With enhanced incentives, members will be more empowered to dedicate time to parenting and caring for critically ill relatives. In the first year alone, the additional 88 projected leave takers are expected to contribute a combined 78 463 hours toward caregiving. This figure is anticipated to grow to 80 607 hours annually by 2034, culminating in a total of 795 304 hours over a period of 10 years. Such increased support for personal responsibilities will significantly enhance the work-life balance, leading to improved job satisfaction and stronger employee retention.
The total savings in the next 10 years for female members, from not having to pay double the rate for those leaves, are $20,995,483 compared to $12,120,421 for male members. This promotes higher female workforce participation by addressing caregiving-related barriers, which disproportionately affect women. It also mitigates gender disparities in current policy and reduces litigation risk. A more diverse labour force enhances skill levels and productivity, benefiting both the RCMP and the broader economy.
Small business lens
The small business lens does not apply to the amendments, as there is no impact on small businesses.
One-for-one rule
The one-for-one rule does not apply to the amendments, as there is no impact on businesses.
Regulatory cooperation and alignment
This amendment aligns with provisions for the federal public service pension plan for the same types of periods of leave. Provincial public service pension plans, like those managed by the Ontario Pension Board and the British Columbia Pension Corporation, have also amended their payment provisions to permit a single contribution rate for extended parental, compassionate and critical care leave.
Effects on the environment
In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment, a preliminary scan concluded that a strategic environmental and economic assessment is not required.
Gender-based analysis plus
A gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) revealed that changes to leave without pay for extended parental, compassionate and critical care will have a significant impact on female members. They account for 63.4% of members taking leave for caregiving at the RCMP — roles they have historically shouldered —, which leads to long-term pension inequities compared to men.
Lowering the cost of leave without pay directly supports female members, allowing them a more affordable option to care for children and critically ill loved ones.
The changes also support the recruitment and retention of women in the RCMP by easing the stress of balancing work and caregiving.
No other impacts based on gender and other identity factors have been identified for this proposal.
Implementation
The Regulations come into force on the day they are registered.
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is responsible for managing the pension system as well as the Government of Canada Pension Centre (Pension Centre), which provides day-to-day administration of the Pension Plan. PSPC was consulted, and the pension system has been programmed to facilitate automation of the service delivery after the amendments are in force.
The Pension Plan forms that had been in the regulations are currently available to members through the RCMP Pension and Benefits website or can be provided to the member as part of a counselling package prepared and sent by the Pension Centre.
Members will be advised of these changes by communication through RCMP intranet bulletin, banner messages on the RCMP Pension and Benefits website, updated information on the website, and updated counselling packages prepared by the Pension Centre when a member starts or returns from leave.
Contact
Joanne Rigon
Executive Director
National Compensation Services
RCMP Executive Liaison Officer to Veterans Affairs Canada
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
73 Leikin Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0R2
Telephone: 613‑843‑6433
Email: Joanne.Rigon@rcmp-grc.gc.ca