City of Québec, Québec – Today, Commodore Margaret Kavanagh, Commander of the Canadian Forces Health Services Group, and Mr Jean Fournier, Provincial President of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council for Quebec, presented certificates of appreciation to employers and union representatives of ambulance and paramedic services in Quebec for their support to Canadian Forces Reserve Force members.

Ambulance and paramedic services’ employers and the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ) signed a collective agreement in June 2006 ensuring job protection and seniority for Canadian Forces Reservists working with these emergency services who may be called to deploy for military duty, at home or abroad. Other unions, such as the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN) and Travailleurs associés syndiqués de la Beauce, incorporé (TASBI), followed suit. 

“This is truly a great moment for the Canadian Forces and its healthcare services,” said Commodore Kavanagh. “Union support, initiated by the FTQ, for medical Reservists in Quebec will allow the Canadian Forces to have a pool of military healthcare specialists available to help the injured on missions, at home and abroad.” 

The agreement is the result of early discussions pursued by Mr. André Vézina, Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of 55 Field Ambulance, a Reserve medical unit based in the City of Quebec, with the FTQ and other union representatives.

“In practical terms, the agreement will allow emergency healthcare responders to be available for Canadian Forces training opportunities and gain valuable experience on military operations,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Aline Préfontaine, senior healthcare Reservist in Quebec. “Of course, it also most importantly provides peace of mind to Reservists deploying with the Canadian Forces by insuring that their civilian job will wait for their return.”

The presentation took place at the Officer’s Mess of the Saint-Malo Armoury in the City of Québec.

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