“We can’t forget, in all the hooplah, that a man [Conservation Officer Bryce Casavant] has been suspended,” said BC Government and Service Employees Union [BCGSEU] President Stephanie Smith.
“Currently we are pushing the government to get the investigation done as soon as possible and we’ll be supporting our member throughout that entire process,” said Smith.
“We have already filed a grievance on his behalf and we are calling for full reinstatement. We call it ‘being made whole’ which is basically a full exoneration,” said Smith, who has been president of the BCGSEU since May 31, 2014 and involved in the union since 1996.
Smith said she has never seen anything like this case before. “Certainly not the public outpouring of support and the fact that it (the story) has gone national and international.”
While the story has gone global, Smith said the man at the heart of the incident and what he is going through right now should not be forgotten.
“I have spoken with Bryce and I know that he is very concerned about this situation.”
“He is a professional and he takes his job very seriously and this has been very stressful for him and his family.”