CAF Members and Vets get increased access to government jobs

Veterans Affairs Minister Erin O’Toole announced June 30 that the Veterans Hiring Act (Bill C-27) will come into force on, July 1, 2015.

Starting Canada Day, eligible military veterans and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel will have increased access to jobs with the federal government.

“The Government of Canada is keeping its commitment to help military veterans thrive while making the transition to civilian life. With the coming into force of the Veterans Hiring Act, we have moved one step closer to achieving this goal. The federal public service will benefit from having more military veterans join its ranks. Canadian Armed Forces veterans bring more to the table than a set of valuable skills; they bring dedication, loyalty and integrity to all they do.” said Erin O’Toole, Veterans Affairs Minister.

The Veterans Hiring Act makes it easier for CAF personnel who are leaving the military to secure jobs in the federal public service. It does so by amending the Public Service Employment Act (PSEA)— the Act which governs the federal public service staffing process.

Still-serving CAF personnel and military veterans who honourably release with at least three years of military service will now be able to view and apply for internally advertised public service employment processes.

“Those who wear the uniform of the Canadian Armed Forces serve Canada with loyalty, pride, and a commitment to excellence. The government knows veterans will continue to exhibit these qualities after their time in the forces is complete. That is why we are encouraging them to join the federal public service,” said Jason Kenney, National Defence Minister.

CAF veterans whose medical release is attributable to military service are eligible for up to five years of statutory priority hiring status in the federal public service.

Those CAF veterans whose medical release is not due to a service-related injury or illness are eligible for up to five years of regulatory priority hiring status in the federal public service, an increase from the current two years.

Statutory status provides the highest level of priority in the hiring process.