June 15, 2010

Ms. Maria Barrados, President
Public Service Commission
L'Esplanade Laurier, West Tower
300 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, ON K1A 0M7

Dear Ms. Barrados:

Thank you for your letter of June 10, 2010. I appreciate receiving additional information on the priority employment process and on the evaluation your organization is undertaking to ensure that it is being managed effectively and efficiently.

I should inform you, however, that the veterans who have contacted me do not share your view that “the current system to ensure priority persons are matched and appointed is working”.

According to the information you provided to the Senate Standing Committee on National Finance, in 2007-2008, 67 medically released veterans—who wanted to work for the federal government—had their priority appointment status expire without finding a position in the public service.

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. It is my hope that under the leadership of Government representatives and officials, all qualified Canadian veterans will gain employment in the federal public service. In a federal public sector work force of over 380,000 across Canada, no qualified Canadian veterans should be turned away without finding employment.

I look forward to seeing the findings of the evaluation. I hope that it will shed some light on the shortcomings related to the process or compliance.

Sincerely,

Percy E. Downe
Senator