March 16, 2007

New jobs for border guard gun failures

By KATHLEEN HARRIS -- Sun Media

Border guards who are unfit or unwilling to pack a gun won't lose their jobs.

A spokesman for the Canada Border Services Agency said the government predicted not all employees would qualify or want to carry a firearm, and that they will be placed in other positions wherever possible.

'REASONABLE EFFORT'

"We're committed to making every reasonable effort to accommodate officers who do not meet the job requirement, either through the training, the actual use of the firearm, or the psychological and behaviour testing," said Chris Williams.

"A strategy is being developed in consultation with the union to find another appropriate responsibility within the department if you don't qualify."

Williams said the accommodation strategy for individuals who aren't emotionally or psychologically suited to handle a gun "safely and responsibly" has not yet been finalized. Most who don't want, or qualify for, weapons will be shifted to other jobs in the CBSA but some could be posted in other government departments.

Ron Moran, national president of the Customs Excise Union, said Canadian human rights law requires the employer to find another position when the job description changes.

He expects most cases of those who don't want to carry guns will be naturally resolved through attrition during the phase-in period, but said some employees in "isolated" crossings may ultimately have to make a decision.

"You're either going to have to accept to be relocated or go against what you would want, which is not to be armed, and be armed," he said.


http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2007 ... 62879.html