The Honourable Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour, met today with the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, to discuss new provincial legislation that ensures reservists are welcomed back into the workforce upon return from tours of duty or training.
On October 18, 2007, Minister Bertram introduced an amendment (Bill 6) to the Employment Standards Act in the Legislative Assembly. With the full support of all Members of the Legislative Assembly, the Bill received first, second and third reading on October 18 and was given unanimous consent. Royal Assent followed on November 2, 2007.
“Our new legislation provides job protection for members of the Canadian Forces Reserves while they are serving our country,” said Minister Bertram. “I was pleased to have the opportunity to sit down with Minister Blackburn, hear how other governments are dealing with this important issue and explain to him the steps our government has taken to provide job security to Prince Edward Island Reservists.”
Minister Blackburn is meeting with government officials in provinces throughout Canada to hear the perspectives of other jurisdictions and interested stakeholders before moving forward on implementing a strategy to ensure that reservists reintegrate into the Canadian workforce successfully.
BACKGROUNDER:
Details of the Prince Edward Island legislation include:
• Members of the Canadian Forces Reserves who have worked for their employer for at least six consecutive months and who volunteer to be absent from work for the purpose of service qualify for Reservist Leave.
• Both active duty and training are included in service.
• Employers cannot lay off or terminate an employee who takes this leave.
• Employees who take leave from their employment for the purpose of service must be permitted to return to their position, or a similar position, with no less wages or benefits than they had before the leave.
• Employees must provide, in writing, as much notice as reasonable and practicable in the circumstances. The employer may request a certificate from an official in the Reserves confirming the employee is a member of the Reserves, is required for service and, where possible, the start and end dates for the period of service.
• Reservists who have taken a leave must provide their employer, in writing, notice of their expected return date.
You can access the Employment Standards Act at www.gov.pe.ca/law/statutes/pdf/e-06_2.pdf
Job protection for reservists is outlined in Section 23(1) of the Act.