Feds need to instruct all departments to start hiring
medically-released Canadian Forces veterans

Federal ministers and their deputies would then be following the spirit
and intent of the regulation by appointing qualified veterans to employment in the federal government.

By Liberal Sen. Percy Downe

The Hill Times, published June 7, 2010

It’s an age-old story – young men and women, going off to war for their country. The lucky return unharmed; others return with injuries, some very serious – both physical and psychological.

Their sacrifices are appreciated by those they so willingly fought for and we try to show that appreciation in many ways; whether it be our participation in ceremonies, or other important events, we give honour where honour is due. After all, it is our obligation to support these veterans and their families in every way possible.

Yet sadly, because of injuries these young veterans have sustained while in service, their employment options can sometimes be reduced.

It was at a meeting of the Senate Sub-committee on Veterans Affairs on May 12, 2010, that I had the opportunity to hear first-hand testimony from three of our injured veterans: Corporal Martin Renaud, 22 years of age, was 19 years old when he lost the bottom of both legs and now has metal rods in his back; Master Corporal (Retired) Paul Franklin, 42 years of age, lost both legs to a suicide bombing attack in the city of Kandahar; and Master Corporal Jody Mitic, 33 years of age, who was also injured in Afghanistan.

Master Corporal Mitic shared his thoughts with the committee on that day:

“I took a cut in pay when I joined the regular forces in 1997.  I worked for Ford and my pay was cut by two thirds when I became a private. We do this work for security at the end of our days and to know that while we serve, we provide security to the country.

(…) I lost both feet basically halfway to my knees. I am on both prosthetics as well. (…) At some point my body will stop accepting prosthetics.  It is a matter of biology. It goes from the skeletal system and now it is on my muscular system.  The prosthetic is not designed to do that.  Over time, joints start to fail.

(…) The Canadian Forces has several programs that allow you to transition to civilian life if you are medically released, which I am planning to take advantage of.”

Since 2005, medically released Canadian Forces veterans have been eligible for priority employment appointments in the federal public service.

These new provisions have created important future career opportunities for veterans, but unfortunately, there are low participation levels in most federal government departments – participation that is vital in making these opportunities a reality for our injured veterans. 

Information I requested from the Public Service Commission showed that in 2007-2008, 245 former Canadian Forces members registered with the Public Service Commission for referral to positions in the public service.

However, only one department is actively taking part in the program – the Department of National Defence (DND) made 69 percent of all hiring during the same period.

Sixty-seven veterans had their job priority appointment status expire without finding a position in the public service.

Why are sixty-seven medically released veterans, who are willing and able to work, being left waiting? Waiting for independence; waiting for the opportunity to support themselves and their families – the very families that had to bid farewell to their loved ones, not knowing what would happen next. They took these steps with full faith that Canada would take care of its own. Were they misled?

During his testimony to the committee, Master Corporal Mitic expressed what many feel:

“(…)There is some dignity that you want to maintain as a man, as a soldier and a warrior.  You do not want to be going back and asking for your allowance every time you want to do something.

(…) I am going to start the process to get out (leave the military), because one disadvantage is that you are stuck at your rank level, so I cannot get a raise.  On the outside, if I did take advantage of the job placement program or the university program or something where I could get education and training, then maybe I can increase my income.”

There is another very simple option. The government needs to instruct all departments to start hiring these young men and women who will have to live with the injuries they sustained for the rest of their lives. Federal ministers and their deputies would then be following the spirit and intent of the regulation by appointing qualified veterans to employment in the federal government.

Granted, the government may also have to increase educational training opportunities so that our veterans can qualify for more positions, but in a federal public sector work force of over 380,000 across Canada, employment can be found for all.

These veterans have done their job and met their responsibility for Canada.

Let all of us, working together, make sure that we meet our responsibilities to them.

Charlottetown Senator Percy Downe is actively involved with veterans’ issues.