About Pat Bouchard
Pat joined the Mounties in 2002. He had previously worked as a casino dealer, a jail guard and a protection officer for the Royal Canadian Mint. His 18-year RCMP career has been entirely (minus a few secondments) in GD frontline policing. He has served in large Municipal Detachments, small rural towns and in isolated posts above the Arctic circle.
Having been involved in the labor movement prior to joining the RCMP, Pat always believed there were ways to improve employee relations within the RCMP. He had the advantage of joining the RCMP at a time when salaries were competitive. Never shy about speaking his mind, he often spoke out about the issues that affected him and his fellow Members. Throughout the years, those issues grew in magnitude and scope (dwindling pay, resource levels, equipment and training, inconsistent application of policy, lack of policy). Tragedy struck in 2014 and Pat was closely involved in the Moncton shootings. This was the “straw that broke the camel’s back” for him. It was clear that change was needed, and it was not going to come from within the RCMP. Pat was very pleased when he was afforded the opportunity to join the NPF to help the RCMP become the best version of itself.
Key Accomplishments:
- Served as a front-line RCMP Member with the Codiac and Bathurst RCMP, Cpl. Team leader in Taloyoak and Iqaluit Nunavut and finally, OPS/NCO in Blackville, NB.
- During the Moncton labor code trial of the RCMP, Pat was vocal on Member issues and spoke to the media in favor of the Membership. Having lived through the RCMP Moncton shootings of June 2014, this was a personal issue for him.
- Prior to being elected, Pat always had a strong desire to assist Members in obtaining better working conditions. Pat could be found providing advice and assisting Members from all over the Division with all manner of labor relation issues.
- Pat is the Divisional Health and Safety Committee Co-Chair as an elected employee representative to advance Member concerns over Canada Labour Code violations and general workplace safety.
- National Policy Health and Safety Committee member as an elected employee representative to advance Member concerns over Canada Labour Code violations and general workplace safety.
- Joined the NPF in April 2017 after serving on the board of another association; NPF was fully certified in July 2019; Pat was elected Atlantic Region Director in November 2019.
- Pat speaks English and French fluently.
- Part of the NPF’s collective bargaining team, negotiating the first ever collective agreement for RCMP Members.
- Part of the NPF’s Member Services committee.