Vivienne Stewart is a retired member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Following her service, she obtained law degrees from the University of British Columbia and the University of Strathclyde. She played a crucial role in establishing the RCMP Veteran Women’s Council (RCMPVWC) within the RCMP Veterans Association.
In 2014, Vivienne provided invaluable editorial and content advice for the RCMPVWC report, “Addressing a Gap in Leadership,” which informed Senator Grant Mitchell and Member of Parliament Judy Sgro's report "Shattered Dreams: Addressing Systemic Harassment within the RCMP."
From 2015 to 2022, Vivienne collaborated with Council members on matters related to the Merlo-Davidson class action which involved claims by thousands of former and still-serving women RCMP members for sexual harassment, assault and other harms. In 2023, Vivienne led the RCMPVWC's campaigns to exempt Merlo-Davidson claimants' damage awards from Veteran Affairs Canada (VAC) claw backs and to modify the date for acceptance of claims to include claims by applicants who had died prior to their claim being assessed. She also appeared before the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (ACVA) studying the Experiences of Canadian Women Veterans and, among others, raised the claw back issue with the Committee.
In 2024, the Minister of VAC appointed Vivienne to the newly established Women Veterans Council. She continues to serve on the RCMPVWC, is co-chair of the VA Women Veterans Council, and, acts as team lead on the Service Delivery sub-group which is working to identify where improvements are needed in VAC programs and services to women veterans. In March 2025, Vivienne was recognized as a Remarkable Leader by the Women in Defence & Security (WIDS).
Transcript
Vivienne was an RCMP officer. She was one of the pioneer women, so she joined back in the 70s. She left the RCMP to pursue a career in law. And as a lawyer and as a Veteran, she's contributed immensely to making a lot of changes for women Veterans. Just recently was appointed to the Women's Veterans Council, so she's continuing to work for Veterans and advocating for Veterans, specifically women Veterans.
She's been certainly a mentor to me on that particular council. She's just one of those women who supports other women. And I've always believed that, you know, there's just a special place in heaven for women who support women.
Definitely would like to say congratulations on this award. She is so deserving, and I believe that she's going to continue the work that she's already started, and I hope she does.