Our goal is to have the Government of British Columbia amplify the current legislation that is written in the Employment Standards Act of BC, to protect Canadian Forces Reservists from losing their civilian jobs while being trained or while training other personnel. Currently the legislation is written as so: (2) Subject to the regulations, an employee who is a reservist and who requests leave under this section is entitled to unpaid leave, for the period described in subsection (3), if (a) the employee is deployed to a Canadian Forces operation outside Canada or is engaged, either inside or outside Canada, in a pre-deployment or post-deployment activity required by the Canadian Forces in connection with such an operation, (b) the employee is deployed to a Canadian Forces operation inside Canada that is or will be providing assistance in dealing with an emergency or with its aftermath, or (c) the prescribed circumstances apply. The legislation covers a member for civil aid in emergencies as well as for tours or when preparing, as listed in paragraph (a) & (b). However in paragraph (c) it does not detail what the prescribed circumstances are. If you visit the province's website (http://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb/igm/esa-part-6/igm-esa-s-52-2.htm) which is designed to aid in the interpretation of the legislation it currently states "There are presently no prescribed circumstances". Therefore any training that a Canadian Forces Reservist wishes to take whether to advance their career or that is required for them to take in order to receive a qualification, do not have their jobs protected for them. Please sign this petition to demand that the Government of BC correct this legislation to protect our reservists and their jobs! Once we have one thousand signatures this petition will be sent to the Minister of Labour and the Premier of the BC. I encourage everyone to also contact their MLA and voice your concern for this legislation together we will be heard!

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