Reservist gives NB Power a jolt

From Maz2 in comments, we learn of a reservist denied leave by his employer to deploy to Afghanistan:

A military reservist who nominated NB Power for an award for supporting the Canadian Forces has resigned after the Crown corporation refused him a leave of absence to deploy to Afghanistan.

Maj. Sean Courty took the career hit in order to lead a team of soldiers from across Atlantic Canada who are leaving within three weeks for Kandahar on a six-month mission.

"I had to make a difficult decision," Courty said. He left the job the first week of June and is now unemployed and awaiting deployment.

Courty was a security official at NB Power's Point Lepreau nuclear generating station and a member of the plant's emergency nuclear response team.

The 33-year-old officer has been a reserve member for the last 14 years and had been training for the Afghanistan mission for months.

This is why job protection legislation should be passed.

But here's the good news:

The province will correct an injustice done to a military reservist forced to quit his job at NB Power to serve in Afghanistan, Energy Minister Jack Keir says.

Keir said he discussed the issue Thursday with Premier Shawn Graham and NB Power president David Hay and that the province will be prepared to offer Courty employment when he returns.

"We all respect NB Power's decision here, but we also respect the sacrifices that the gentleman's making for his country," Keir said.

BZ to Jack Keir and his government. Well done.

And even better, they're using this issue to jump start the forward-looking legislation we need:

Keir said the government will also consider creating a law protecting the civilian employment of reservists who need time off for training and deployment.

"We're certainly going to take a very close look at that legislation," he said.

Courty's situation has sparked the interest of politicians and community members displeased with his predicament.

Oromocto-Gagetown MLA Jody Carr, the Opposition caucus chairman, is among those upset. He wants to see the issue fixed.

"The provincial government should go above and beyond to support our troops, and their families, that are serving our country overseas," Carr said.

If the issue isn't resolved, he'll take it to the legislature when the House reopens in a little more than two weeks. He wants the province to take care of Courty and his family.

We should all understand our selfish interests in protecting and providing for those members of our society who volunteer for dangerous work to protect us.