Posted on 06 April 2010
Further to numerous inquiries made by veterans and their families, Charlottetown Senator Percy Downe has tabled detailed Written Questions in the Senate in an attempt to have the Federal Government provide information on issues they have long ignored and refuse to address.
“This Government says that it supports better services for veterans and their families, but we continue to wait for action that matches their rhetoric,” said Downe.
Downe has asked why the Harper Government has spent over $2 million dollars in lawyers’ fees against veterans and their families in court over their broken promise regarding Agent Orange. While campaigning in the 2006 federal election, Stephen Harper stated, “Our Government will stand up for full compensation for persons exposed to defoliant spraying during the period from 1956 to 1984” (see attached article).
Yet, on September 12, 2007, the Harper Government announced a disappointing compensation package, offering payment only to those who served between 1966 to 1967 at CFB Gagetown. This decision has directly affected veterans living across Canada who have been refused benefits because their service was outside this much narrower time frame.
Downe has also questioned whether the lump sum disability award payable under the New Veterans Charter results in a cost-saving measure for the Government compared to the previous longer-term financial support programs. Another pressing issue is that the federal Government has refused to implement new measures proposed by the Public Service Commission to give spouses and partners of Canada’s military, reservists and RCMP who are killed in duty, employment priority in the federal public service.
“Sadly, the actions of the Government do not match their reassuring words. Our Canadian veterans and their families deserve the reassurance that they will be given the assistance they need, that promises made will be kept, and that as a nation, we appreciate the sacrifices they have made for our country,” concluded Downe.
Written Questions Tabled in the Senate
Percy E. Downe, Senator
1. With respect to Agent Orange:
The Government of Canada has confirmed that the Department of Justice spent $2,186,414.00 from July 2005 to December 31, 2008, in legal costs fighting against Canadian veterans who have been trying to obtain fair compensation for their exposure to Agent Orange spraying at CFB Gagetown.
On September 12, 2007, the Harper Government announced a disappointing compensation package for those affected by the spraying of Agent Orange, offering payment only to those who served between 1966 and 1967. While campaigning in the 2006 federal election, Stephen Harper stated:
"Our government will stand up for full compensation for persons exposed to defoliant spraying during the period from 1956 to 1984,” Harper said. “We’ll disclose all information concerning the spraying to veterans and civilians, and will provide medical testing to anyone who may have been exposed.”
In order to receive the compensation that was promised to them, and force Prime Minister Stephen Harper to honour his commitment, these deserving Canadian veterans have had to undertake a class action lawsuit against the Government of Canada.
1. Could the Government of Canada provide the total amount of money spent by all federal departments and agencies, excluding the Department of Justice, for the time period of July 1, 2005, to March 1, 2010, in its fight against our Canadian veterans' Agent Orange class action lawsuit?
2. Could the Government of Canada provide the total amount of money it has spent to hire outside legal counsel for the time period of July 1, 2005, to March 1, 2010, in its fight against our Canadian veterans' Agent Orange class action lawsuit?
3. Could the Government of Canada provide the total amount of money spent, including all costs associated with the work of Department of Justice officials, for the time period of January 1, 2009, to March 1, 2010, fighting against our Canadian veterans' Agent Orange class action lawsuit?
2. With respect to changes to the Public Service Employment Regulations:
In December 2008, the President of the Public Service Commission, Ms. Maria Barrados, announced changes to the Public Service Employment Regulations that would give spouses and partners of Canada’s military, reservists, RCMP and bureaucrats who are killed in duty, appointment priority in the federal public service.
This is an important policy change that will assist families whose members have made the ultimate sacrifice for Canada. However the Conservative Government has refused to follow the advice of the President of the Public Service Commission and implement the policy—and these families continue to wait.
This Government says that it supports better services for veterans and their families, but we continue to wait for action that matches their rhetoric.
Sadly, the actions of the Government do not match their reassuring words. Our Canadian veterans and their families deserve the reassurance that they will be given the assistance they need, that promises made will be kept, and that as a nation, we appreciate the sacrifices they have made for our country.
1. Could the Government of Canada explain why it has delayed the implementation of this new priority appointment process?
2. Could the Government of Canada indicate in what year or decade it intends to implement this new priority appointment process?
3. With respect to the new Veterans Charter:
In 2005, as part of the new Veterans Charter, Veterans Affairs Canada began granting a tax-free, lump sum Disability Award and a tax-free, lump-sum Death Benefit.
A. Could the Government of Canada provide the following information from April 2005 to March 2010:
i. How many recipients of the lump-sum Disability Award or the Death Benefit filed a complaint with the department about either benefit?
ii. How many Disability Award or Death Benefit files have been forwarded to the Deputy Minister or Minister of Veterans Affairs' attention, and what was the nature of the problems associated with each case?
iii. After receiving a lump-sum payment, how many recipients or their dependants have requested additional funds?
B. Could the Government of Canada advise whether Veterans Affairs Canada experiences cost-savings associated with the granting of the lump-sum Disability Award and Death Benefit, as compared to other longer-term assistance measures such as, but not limited to, the disability pension and health care benefits?
C. Could the Government of Canada advise if Veterans Affairs Canada has reviewed or evaluated the lump-sum Disability Award and Death Benefit programs? If so, what findings or conclusions have been made?
4. With respect to support for Canadian veterans:
According to the Veterans Ombudsman, the average cost of a funeral in 2008 was $5,892, but the benefit provided by the Government of Canada for veterans' funerals is set at $3,600.
The Government of Canada currently pays up to $13,000 for funeral and burial expenses for Canadian Forces members.
Could the Government of Canada indicate when it intends to increase the financial support it provides to veterans' families for funerals and burials?
5. With respect to the New Veterans Charter:
A. Under the New Veterans Charter, disability awards are lump sum amounts up to $276,000. If the payment is $12,500 or more, some, or all, of the fees related to a recipient receiving financial advice may be paid by the department.
i. Since 2006, what percentage of veterans receiving a Disability Award lump sum payment have received the financial advice paid for by the department of Veterans Affairs Canada?
B. Since 2006, of the total number of veterans’ spouses/partners or family members who have been eligible to receive rehabilitation services, what percentage have availed of the services?
C. Since 2006, of the total number of spouses/partners and family members who have received or are currently receiving rehabilitation services, what is the break-down of participation in terms of the program’s three components: medical, psychological, social and vocational supports?
6. With respect to the health care review undertaken by Veterans Affairs Canada in 2007:
On December 12, 2007, officials from Veterans Affairs Canada appearing before the Senate Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs said, “The department has undertaken a comprehensive review of its health care services. We are examining the services that are so critical to the healthy aging of veterans and their caregivers.”
On March 5, 2008 the Subcommittee heard from the Minister of Veterans Affairs, who said, “The review is pretty well completed. It is going to provide us with a way forward in terms of how we provide services to our veterans. We would like to move to a needs-based system as opposed to an entitlements-based one.”
This was welcome news for veterans and their families. Unfortunately, since 2008, there has been no new information regarding the outcome of the review, and veterans and their families continue to wait for improved health services.
A. Could the Government of Canada provide a list of recommendations that were made to the Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada as a result of the review?
B. Could the Government of Canada indicate which recommendations, if any, have been implemented by the department?
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For further information:
Senator Percy Downe: 613-943-8107
Or toll free at 1-800-267-7362
www.sen.parl.gc.ca/pdowne