Employers Supporting Reservists

Canadian Forces Liaison Council

The Canadian Forces Liaison Council (CFLC) is a group of Canada-wide civilian business and educational leaders who volunteer their time and efforts to promote the Primary Reserve Force by highlighting the benefits of Reserve Force training and experience to the civilian workplace. They also support individual Reservists as well as Reserve Units, in matters related to employer support.

Canada has had a Reserve Force Employer Support Program (RFESP) since 1978, and it has operated under the organization known as the Canadian Forces Liaison Council since 1993. The Council’s mandate is to enhance the availability of Reservists for their military duties by obtaining the support and co-operation of organization leaders in Canada. Reservists must balance multiple responsibilities in order that they can minimize conflict between their military service, their education, their civilian jobs and their families. This is made more difficult if they do not have an understanding educational institution or civilian employer. The Council encourages civilian employers and educational institutions to grant Reservists military leave on a voluntary basis, without penalty, to allow them to participate in their military activities, duties and training.

The National Chair of the CFLC is a civilian volunteer appointed by the Minister of National Defence and is responsible to the Minister for the fulfillment of the Council’s mandate. The National Chair is assisted by a National Vice-Chair, ten Provincial Chairs, one Territorial Chair, who each have respective Provincial and Territorial Councils representing a total of more than one hundred volunteer of senior business and educational leaders across the country. The Council is supported by a network of military Field Services personnel across Canada and overall administration is provided by a Secretariat based in Ottawa, operating under the leadership of the Chief Reserves and Cadets.

The CFLC works with all levels of governments to ensure that information on the needs of Reservists is readily available to those responsible for labour laws, labour codes and employment standards. This effort also ensures that both Reservists and employers understand and benefit from the provisions of job protection legislation and that any possible conflicts are prevented or resolved.

Simply put, the Canadian Forces Liaison Council is here to help guide you, whether you are a Reservist, an employer or an educational institution, with any issue related to support for Reservists.

Vision

All organization leaders in Canada to be actively supportive of Reservists.

Purpose

To build enduring relationships which ensure the

availability of Reservists for their military duties.

Mission

Educate organization leaders on the Canadian Armed Forces’ Reserves and encourage them to support training and operations with minimal impact on the Reservist.

Strategic Priority 2014–2019

To deliver innovative and relevant programs.