USJE has been advocating the federal government to update the Government Employees Compensation Act (GECA) to ensure more federal public safety personnel have access to Worker’s Compensation for mental health related injuries. The Union of Safety and Justice Employee is urgently calling on all parties to close a key gap in federal legislation so that federal public safety personnel have access to Worker’s Compensation for mental health related injuries, just like first responders in most provinces and territories.
The federal Government Employees Compensation Act (GECA) is a piece of legislation that has not fundamentally changed since its establishment 50 years ago. As it is currently written, it leaves behind tens of thousands of federal public safety personnel who suffer from psychological injuries owing to their efforts to keep Canadians safe from coast to coast to coast.
Efforts are beginning to pay off as Bill C-357, An Act to amend the Government Employees Compensation Act (GECA), was introduced by MP Peter Julian in September in the House of Commons.
USJE has been engaging all political parties to highlight why the changes to the federal legislation (GECA) are urgently required. As USJE continues to seek all party support to adopt these changes, we are inviting USJE’s members to consider sharing their personal stories regarding the challenges you or your colleagues continue to face while seeking support or access to Worker’s compensation for mental health related injuries.
Please take a moment to play a crucial role in advancing this important campaign by considering the opportunity to share your personal story.
USJE recognizes that many of USJE’s members who have struggled to get access to Worker’s Compensation for a mental health related injury are likely suffering from trauma related to the workplace. USJE would only encourage members to share their stories if it does not further aggravate their mental health injury.
USJE respects the right of members to their privacy and confidentiality. Should a member’s story be selected to be shared, the member will be contacted to approve any excerpts, and to discuss their need for privacy and confidentiality. USJE will not share details about the workplace, incident or identifying information without the member’s permission. To ensure members’ full consent, USJE will confirm with the member immediately prior to sharing their story.
USJE recognizes that many of its members do not currently have good access to mental health supports. This is why USJE has partnered with the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT) which has developed many resources to assist front line public safety personnel in their journey. You can find them here.
USJE is fighting hard for the changes to the federal legislation because we know that many of its members have been suffering in silence for far too long unable to get the support they need.
We thank you for your support in this crucial campaign. USJE will continue to advocate that federal public safety personnel have access to Worker’s Compensation for mental health related injuries.