Reservists to get Federal job protection

Minister says laws coming to protect jobs and schooling for reservists

6 hours ago

VANCOUVER - New federal laws are on they way to protect Canadian reservists who may have to leave their jobs or interrupt their education to serve in the Canadian military.

Federal Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn told a few dozen reservists from Vancouver's 39 Canadian Brigade group Tuesday that it's the least the government can do for those who risk their lives defending our country.

"Reservists should not be penalized in their civilian lives as a result of serving within the Canadian forces," Blackburn said Tuesday.

The legislation to be pushed through the next session of Parliament will allow reservists in federally regulated sectors to take leave without pay and would prevent employers from discriminating against them.

The new laws would also allow students to retain their active student status and put Canada Student Loan payments on hold with no accumulating interest while the student is on leave.

Congratulations to all the groups and individuals who have been pushing for this law. From the description in the article it sounds like the Federal law is to be modeled on the Nova Scotia example. Nova Scotia's law is the only Provincial act I've seen that extended the protection to students as well as workers. They passed a well crafted law that balances job protection for Reservists with business concerns regarding notification, frequency and time limits.

I believe this leaves British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec and Newfoundland as the only Provinces without Reservist protection legislation.