May 17, 2007

Dear Legion Members:

I write to you today to share information about a Private Member’s Bill I have introduced in the Ontario legislature.

Called the Military Service Leave Bill, it would provide job protection to members of the Canadian reserve force who volunteer for active duty. If passed, the bill would require employers to secure the civilian jobs of reserve force members for up to two years.

I believe that reservists’ contributions to world peace should be recognized by our province.

In Canada, similar legislation exists only in Nova Scotia.

Most of the Canadian Forces’ 25,000 reservists either work full-time in civilian jobs or are full-time students.

I encourage your members to contact Premier Dalton McGuinty so we can all work towards passage of this important bill.

Share your views with Mr. McGuinty by phone at 416-325-1941; fax at 416-325-3745; e-mail at dmcguinty.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org or by mail at Main Legislative Building, Room 281, Queen’s Park, Toronto, ON., M7A 1A1.

I thank you for your support. Please find enclosed a petition I have launched in support of my private member’s bill. I urge you to sign it and return it to my constituency office.

Gerry Martiniuk

Cambridge MPP