Canadian Forces members who serve in war zones deserve the same priority to enter the federal public service as political staff of federal cabinet ministers, says P.E.I. Senator Percy Downe. "As Canada's military takes on the increasingly difficult task of promoting our country's security interests at home and abroad, I believe we can do more to reward the men and women who serve in war zones," the senator said.
Downe says most people can agree the perils of working in politics, be it preparation for question period or preparing talking points, pale in comparison to the dangers of Kandahar and the Sudan.

Downe has introduced legislation that will amend the Public Service Employment Regulations to permit any Canadian Forces member who has served in a war zone to be entitled, for a period of one year from the day on which the person ceased to be employed by the Forces, to be appointed in priority to all other persons to a position in the Federal Public Service, for which - in the opinion of the Public Service Commission - the person is qualified.

Downe says this is identical to the priority already offered to political staff of federal cabinet ministers, who have worked for three years - and are entitled to be appointed without competition in priority to all others to a position in the Public Service for which they are qualified.

"Given the fact that Canada is asking its military to take on a more active role in the years ahead, I believe that this bill will help to reinforce our commitment to the men and women who serve in war zones," Senator Downe said.