Minister Van Loan and Minister Guergis commemorate 35^th anniversary of the first hiring of women as RCMP regular members

September 16, 2009

The Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety, and the Honourable Helena Guergis, Minister of State (Status of Women), made the following statement today on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the first women hired as RCMP regular members.

"On behalf of the Government of Canada, we are honoured to celebrate the pioneering women of Troop 17 who began training on this day 35 years ago.  Canada's national police force was forever changed by the first 32 women to graduate and work as regular RCMP members in detachments across the country.

When Troop 17 walked through the doors of the RCMP Training Academy (Depot Division) on September 16, 1974, it opened those same doors for women of future generations.  Today we reflect on their accomplishments, and those of the women they've empowered, who have contributed so much to the protection and safety of our communities and as part of the force's peacekeeping missions overseas. 

This occasion clearly signifies a landmark for the RCMP, equal rights of women and Canadian history." 

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