Continued support for Reservist leave

A Marine Engineering Systems Operator cleans an oil filter from a diesel alternator.

Capt Graeme Kaine, 39 CBG Public Affairs ~

The Government of British Columbia announced Oct. 27 that they have expanded job-protected leave for Canadian military reserve forces in B.C. to cover leave for military training.

The leave expansion was announced by Premier Christy Clark at Canadian Forces Base Comox on Vancouver Island, and by Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, and Minister Responsible for Labour at HMCS Discovery, the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve base on Deadman’s Island in Stanley Park, Vancouver.

Bond was joined in Vancouver by Brigadier Genernal Rob Roy MacKenzie, Chief of Staff Reserves, Canadian Forces; Colonel Dave Awalt, Commander 39 Canadian Brigade Group; Lyall Knott, QC, B.C. Chair, Canadian Forces Liaison Council, Department of National Defence; and other military reserve forces representatives.

“I can’t emphasize enough how important employer support is to our Reservists,” said BGen MacKenzie. “It directly contributes to the operational readiness of the Canadian Armed Forces by helping ensure we have skilled members always available for duty.”

This change will allow reservists unpaid leave from their civilian jobs for up to 20 days per year for training activities.

A reservist must provide at least four weeks of notice to his/her employer. This matches the general notice requirement that already applies to reservists going on leave for active duty.

The up to 20 days for training leave is per calendar year, and does not have to be consecutive.

This change to expand leave for military training activities for reservists is effective immediately.

“The extension of job protection for reservists, for necessary training, is a significant step in strengthening the Reserves and will contribute greatly to the operational readiness of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve,” said Col Awalt. “As the Brigade commander for the Army Reserve in B.C., I know personally the challenges reservists face in balancing the demands of their civilian career with that of military service. I look forward to seeing the positive effect this change will have on the troops under my command.”