Vets' Ombudsman: "Veterans not getting the help they need"

[The Bread Guy]

As many as 1,000 military personnel forced to leave the Canadian Forces each year because of medical problems aren’t getting the help they need to make the jump to civilian life, a new report says.

Veterans ombudsman Guy Parent wants “urgent” action by the Conservative government to improve financial help, vocational training and family support offered to veterans.

When the federal government brought in the so-called new veterans charter in 2006, it was meant to be a “living document” that would be updated as needed. Yet, in the last seven years, there has been only one update, in 2011, Parent said.

“Dissatisfaction and misunderstanding” continues among veterans, Parent said in a report released Thursday.

“Former Canadian Forces members continue to face challenges when transitioning from military to civilian life.” .....

Toronto Star, 5 Apr 13

From the Conclusion of "Improving the New Veterans Charter: The Parliamentary Review":

.... This review paper provides detailed information to support informed discussion of shortcomings in three program areas of the New Veterans Charter that directly affect the transition of Veterans. In summary:

• the reduction in post-release salary and level of income support is a barrier to successful transition from military to civilian life and is a particular issue when a Veteran reaches the age of 65;
• the effectiveness of the vocational rehabilitation and assistance program is unclear, it restricts access to university-level education programs and constrains civilian employment opportunities for Veterans; and
• Veterans' families face reduced or eliminated support from what was provided by the Canadian Forces at a time when support is needed the most.

Canadian Forces members whose military careers end because of injury or illness face unique challenges when transitioning from military to civilian life. Despite recent enhancements to the New Veterans Charter, there remain numerous issues with its financial, vocational rehabilitation and assistance, and family support programs designed to help Canada's injured or ill service personnel transition successfully ....

 

[Nemo888]

The arbitrary barring of access to University made no sense to me. You get 2 years of education on your SISIP and two years on your VAC rehab. But courses must not be a single calendar day over. No overlap. I get the impression they just like to say they have retrainig. If they were serious why not let them overlap so you didn't have to go to some trash school like Devry that will never get you a good job anyway.

 

[The Bread Guy]

The arbitrary barring of access to University made no sense to me. You get 2 years of education on your SISIP and two years on your VAC rehab. But courses must not be a single calendar day over. No overlap. I get the impression they just like to say they have retrainig. If they were serious why not let them overlap so you didn't have to go to some trash school like Devry that will never get you a good job anyway.

If they're thinking like many insurance plans, the rationale is to get the person retrained ASAP and back into the workforce.

 

[Nemo888]

The idea is to pay as little as possible and who cares where they are in 5 years because they are not our problem anymore. You would think a Conservative government would want highly qualified Vets with Uni degrees kicking around. A very basic ROI(return on investment) would indicate after that ten years the taxpayer would have gotten all their money back in taxes with a considerable profit. Remember when Conservative meant you thought about things like that. Penny wise and pound foolish corporate group think is so ignorant.

 

[Teager]

I think the main issues for injured or ill is finding a quality job. Theres lots of great programs out there such as Helmets to Hard Hats but for injured or ill the program is fairly useless because they can't do these types of jobs for the most part. Then theres Canada Company also a great program but geared towards business and i've got the impression there looking for more senior management type personel. Then theres the priority hire for public service but with the current cutbacks its almost pointless to put your name on the list right now as your chances are slim to nil and you are only allowed 2 years on the list.

If they want to improve the transition process they need to start asking the soldiers who have gone through the process, who are currently going through it, and about to go through it get there feedback and go from there.

 

[maniac]

Teager - you are absolutely correct.  The standard of service across the country is not equal while being released.  We have troops 3B released  being turned away from SCAN seminars because of waiting lists in Petawawa.  Extra efforts put in for some where the others are left to fend for themselves. I think the statistic your talking about might reveal a failed project and they will resist implementing it for that reason.  The reserve are far worse off than the rest on benefits and access to advocates.

Hang onto the Priority hiring card to the 5 yr mark as the workforce adjustment is due to end in 2015.  It is good for another 2 yrs once invoked.

 

[Teager]

The sad part is the Ombudsman and veteran advocacy groups are starting to sound like a broken record. Constantly keep bringing up the same issues which is needed until its taken to the courts to decide. Time, money, and frustration could easily be saved if the government would work with us on our issues a little more instead of fighting us all the way. To bad there isn't any course within the CAF that goes through your benefits, what those benefits entail, and the requirements for those benefits. I think a lot of CAF members and recruits would be shocked to know what is actually offered because the majority don't know whats involved. It would probably make some members think twice before going on tour.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Bumped with a recent development:  "Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs Tables its Report on the Transition to Civilian Life of Veterans"

More work needs to be done to strengthen existing transition programs and services and further assist former members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) with their quests for meaningful post-release job opportunities in civilian society, says the report of the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence.

( .... )

Quick Facts
•In the fall of 2011, members of the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs of the Senate Standing Committee on National Security and Defence agreed to undertake a study on the transition to civilian life veterans.
•The purpose of the study was to look at initiatives taken by the public and private sectors to promote the meaningful employment of releasing members of the Canadian Armed Forces and veterans during and after their transition to civilian life.
•In the course of its study, the subcommittee held 17 meetings on the topic and heard testimony from 44 different witnesses, including representatives of the CAF, various federal government departments and agencies, particularly DND and VAC, as well as several non-governmental organizations and private sector employers.
•The report discusses some of the challenges and issues identified by witnesses and offers suggestions in the form of 14 recommendations as to possible ways of improving the transition to civilian life process for veterans.
•The recommendations are grouped in six areas:
◦Need for research
◦Options to strengthen DND transition programs and services
◦Options to strengthen VAC transition programs and services
◦Ways to improve the transition of ill and injured military personnel to civilian life
◦Reinforcing the bridge between the military and private sector and other non-governmental transition initiatives
◦Options to enhance private sector employment opportunities for veterans

(....)

You can download the report (110 page PDF) here, or check out the List of Recommendations in more detail in the attached excerpt from the report.

 

[George Wallace]

Here is a very articulate presentation made by a close friend of many on this site, at a Town Hall Meeting in Toronto on 5 June 2014:

Disabled & Betrayed: Retired Major Mark Campbell Tells His Story

 

[Humphrey Bogart]

Here is a very articulate presentation made by a close friend of many on this site, at a Town Hall Meeting in Toronto on 5 June 2014:

Disabled & Betrayed: Retired Major Mark Campbell Tells His Story

Words can't express how pissed off I get watching this video....

 

[GAP]

Excellent presentation, but I doubt if anybody is listening....twits!!

 

[jollyjacktar]

Thank you for sharing that clip George.

 

[stokerwes]

I know if I'm asked I'll tell troops that if you get hurt while serving you won't be looked after financially after you reach the $300000.00. Sounds like a lot of money when your 24 but it's not if you consider you may have to lige off that for the rest of your life.
I'm a bit confused on the latest review of the NVC. One of the items was the LTD being adjusted to 85% of net salary at release. If this is still taxable would a Veteran end up taking an even smaller amount of money home?

 

[Jed]

Thank you for sharing this video. We have to push this message out to all Canadians. The RCL should show this to their members in every branch and zone.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Sucks, but there it is. The epitome of our bitch against VAC. We're no longer dealing with WWI or any other conventional war.  We're dealing with the excessive claims being made. Not that the claims are being made in bad faith, but the military want's it's due.


We're diseased, alcoholic, drug addled and incomprehensible at times.

We are still one of the best , all inclusive, ( no matter you're resolve.); stops in Canada.

 

[pinger206]

I was fortunate to hear Mark Campbell speak in Ottawa last month... God bless his resolve, and adamantly. pinger.

 

[McG]

Half of Canada's badly wounded soldiers not getting disability cheque: watchdog
Murray Brewster, The Canadian Press
Winnipeg Free Press
19 Aug 2014

OTTAWA - A new report by Canada's veterans watchdog says nearly half of the country's most severely disabled ex-soldiers are not receiving a government allowance intended to compensate them for their physical and mental wounds.

Veterans ombudsman Guy Parent also concluded that those who are receiving the permanent impairment allowance, along with a recently introduced supplement, are only awarded the lowest grade of the benefit.

The criteria used by federal bureaucrats to evaluate disability do not match the intent of the allowance, and the guidelines are too restrictive, the report said.

It doesn't make sense to set aside cash to deal with a problem and then not spend it, Parent said. "You can flood programs with money, but of you don't broaden the access, then you haven't accomplished anything."

It's a pattern with the current government, he said, noting how the Conservatives poured funding into the burial program for impoverished ex-soldiers in 2013, but took a year to ease the eligibility criteria so people could actually qualify.

"The evidence presented in the report clearly demonstrates that many severely impaired veterans are either not receiving these benefits or may be receiving them at a grade level that is too low," the ombudsman said.  "This is unfair and needs to be corrected."

Investigators could find no evidence that Veterans Affairs adjudicators consider the effect of an enduring injury on an individual's long-term employment and career prospects, he added.
In a statement, Veteran Affairs Minister Julian Fantino said the findings of the ombudsman's latest report will be considered as the government prepares its response to a Commons committee review, which has recommended a series of improvements to the legislation governing veterans benefits.

"I have asked officials at Veterans Affairs to ensure that they consider the recommendations found in the veterans ombudsman's PIA report as well as consult his office in the development of solutions to improve the New Veterans Charter," Fantino said.

In defending itself against criticism that veterans are being short-changed, the Harper government has been quick to point to the allowance and the supplement as a sign of its generosity.

Fantino told a House of Commons committee last spring that some permanently disabled soldiers receive more than $10,000 per month, but figures from his own department show that only four individuals in the entire country receive that much.

The department went a step further and released a chart at the end of July that shows the maximum benefits soldiers of different ranks could qualify for under existing legislation — a "misleading" display that could raise "false expectations" among veterans, Parent said.

The latest report also noted that when a veteran dies, the spouse automatically loses the allowance, creating financial hardship for the family. Under the old Pension Act system, the widow or widower continued to receive support.

The permanent impairment allowance is a taxable benefit awarded to disabled soldiers in three grade levels as compensation for lost future earnings. The Harper government introduced a supplement to the allowance in 2011.

In some respects, that supplement contributed to a dramatic increase in the number of applications.

According to figures released by Veterans Affairs in June, some 521 ex-soldiers are deemed to be the most critically injured, but the vast majority of them — 92 per cent — receive the lowest grade of allowance support.

The ombudsman's report estimates Canada has a total of 1,911 severely wounded soldiers, 924 of whom receive no allowance at all.

Ron Cundell, of the web site VeteranVoice.info, said the latest review doesn't tell ex-soldiers anything they don't know already.

"It's a shame," Cundell said. "The (office of the veterans ombudsman) reports are proving what the veteran community has known for a long time. Veterans Affairs is not treating veterans fairly."