Posted on 28 May 2010
Charlottetown Senator Percy Downe is pressing the Harper Government to increase federal department participation in the hiring of medically released Canadian veterans who have priority employment status in the public service. Downe has written Prime Minister Stephen Harper urging him to instruct Deputy Ministers to follow the spirit and intent of the regulation and appoint qualified veterans to employment in the federal government.
Canadian Forces members who are released from service for medical reasons have been eligible for priority appointments since 2005.
“These medically released veterans have been injured, in many cases very seriously, serving Canada. The Prime Minister should insist that his Government support the existing law. If all departments fully participate, I am confident qualified veterans will obtain employment, unlike the current results where a number of veterans have failed to secure jobs,” said Downe.
Information provided to Downe by the Public Service Commission shows that in 2007-2008, 245 former Canadian members registered with the Public Service Commission for referral to positions in the public service.
Downe was surprised to find out that only one department is actively participating in the program – the Department of National Defence (DND) made 69 percent of all appointments during the same period. Unfortunately, 67 veterans had their priority appointment expire without finding a position in the public service, and one left voluntarily before placement.
“Canadian veterans bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to any work place and deserve the opportunity to find work in the public service — and not only at DND,” said Downe.
“There has been much talk from the Harper Government about improving services for veterans, but those comforting words need to be followed up with concrete action. All government departments need to work together on this very important initiative in order to make it work,” concluded Downe.
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For further information:
Senator Percy Downe: 613-943-8107
Or toll free at 1-800-267-7362
www.sen.parl.gc.ca/pdowne
May 26, 2010
Right Honourable Stephen Harper, PC, MP
Prime Minister of Canada
Langevin Building
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0A2
Dear Prime Minister:
Since 2005, medically released Canadian Forces veterans have been eligible for priority employment appointments in the federal public service. These provisions have created important future career opportunities for veterans, but I am concerned about the low participation levels of most federal government departments in the program – participation that is vital in making these opportunities a reality for our veterans.
Information provided by the Public Service Commission shows that in 2007-2008, 245 former Canadian Forces members registered with the Public Service Commission for referral to positions in the public service.
The majority of appointments were made by only one department, the Department of National Defence (DND).
DND made 69 percent of all appointments, and was followed by Correctional Services Canada (7%), Human Resources and Skill Development Canada (6%), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (3%), Public Works and Government Service Canada (3%) and Veterans Affairs Canada (2%). The remaining 10 percent of appointments were made by a variety of departments.
Sixty-seven veterans had their priority appointment status expire without finding a position in the public service, and one left voluntarily before placement.
I believe that all qualified veterans would have obtained employment if all departments had actively participated in the program. These medically released veterans have been injured, in many cases very seriously, serving Canada, and the Government of Canada has a responsibility to assist them and their families.
Now that you have been made aware of this problem, I assume you will instruct deputy ministers to follow the spirit and intent of the regulation and appoint qualified veterans with priority status to positions in the federal government. I am certain you would agree that any department or agency would benefit from the contributions of Canadian veterans, as they bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to any work place — not only to DND.
There has been much talk from your Government about improving services for veterans, but those comforting words need to be followed up with action.
I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Original signed by
Percy E. Downe
Senator