VETS Canada. As you know, VETS Canada and the Canadian Veterans Advocacy have formed an alliance wherein VETS Canada will focus on humanitarian operations and the Advocacy will focus on the issues, information dissemination and client services. Veterans Emergency Transition Services Canada shares the CVA’s pro-active principles in providing assistance to veterans who are in crisis or are homeless. This is a complex issue, the root cause diverse, often complicated by other destructive issues such as depression, addiction and loss of hope. There are no easy solutions and although Veterans Affairs Canada has been very helpful to VETS Canada, the situation is serious. This past month, VETS Canada President Jim Lowther and his wife Debbie have personally intervened on behalf of homeless veterans several times, once was forced to conduct a sit in at a local hospital when a very ill veteran, even though he had no address, was facing release onto the streets without adequate treatment. The costs of supporting this program have not been insignificant, Jim and Debbie, ever compassionate, have even used a considerable amount of their own funds to provide respite. Last week, the CVA’s Pennies for Veterans dispatched VETS Canada 1000 dollars, the first of many instalments we hope to provide for this noble effort. You can help by donating your pennies/spare change, organizing penny drives in your community, approaching the cubs, scouts and other civic organizations…
Bank of Montreal, Account- Pennies for Veterans, Transit # 0005, Account #1143-271
Canadian Veterans Advocacy legal issues. Former RCMP constable and CVA Director –RCMP/Law Enforcement Veterans, Eric Rebiere has taken great steps forward in reference to dissatisfaction with the VRAB and continues to seek veterans who have brought their cases before the federal courts, won in the sense of a court enforced review only to be denied again by the VRAB. The list is growing, you are not alone, trust me, there is no need for you to accept this situation when you may have been treated in an inequitable manner. All Canadians, even those who serve, are equal under the law and Charter of Rights; no government entity has the authority to ignore the highest courts of Canada.
Exciting news also on another front, the L(Ch)ump Sum Award! Veterans Advocate Heather Garrison recently contacted… board member of “Equitas Disabled Veterans Funding Society" which is in the process of incorporation. The name Equitas was chosen for its meaning “fairness.” The Society’s Chairman is Jim Scott whose son Dan Scott was injured in Afghanistan. Jim has determined that while some injured veterans are okay with their settlement, others are not. "The Crown Liability Act" prohibits addressing grievances through a judicial review settlement with VAC. Since we live in a democracy it is the Society's belief that soldiers are entitled to equity before the law. The law firm of Miller Thomson has volunteered, pro bono, to address equity before the law by challenging "The Charter of Rights and Freedom". Equitas Society is in the process of selecting three soldiers from each province in Canada to challenge "The Charter." To date a representative of Miller Thomson has spoken with soldiers from BC and AB. Would you be able to assist us in referring soldiers to us from other provinces and/or if you know the name of a disabled veteran who is dissatisfied would you please forward his contact information. Any assistance…
The Canadian Veterans Advocacy fully supports this initiative and would encourage veterans to forward this email to our wounded warriors or the families of those who might benefit from inclusion. At this time, they are seeking three veterans from each province so the response time is time sensitive. More to follow as this situation develops.
SISIP Clawback. We are in regular contact with Veterans Advocate Dennis Manuge, who has sent an update for this Sit Rep. …As the representative plaintiff, for Manuge vs. Her Majesty The Queen, which is the legal class action to end the SISIP Long Term Disability Clawback of Veterans Affairs Canada [monthly] disability payments, I hope you can come support us in Halifax on November 16 & 17, 2011, at the Federal Court. Oral directions received from the Court: The Honourable Mr. Justice Barnes dated 14-JUL-2011 directing that "By agreement of the parties the hearing of a motion to resolve questions of law in this proceeding is set for November 16 and 17, 2011 in Halifax to begin at 9:30a.m." Questions of law are questions on the technicalities of the law posed by both sides and are a normal administrative procedure before any case goes to court. The Courthouse is located next to the Halifax Ferry Terminal.
CVA supporters in Halifax and the Maritimes are encouraged to show their support for the thousands of veterans suffering this unjust procedure. Please attend this very important session! Plans for a vigil outside the court are being considered, interested personnel are encouraged to contact CVA HQ.
info@canadianveteransadvocacy.com
Canadian Veterans National Day of Protest. November 5th, 2011.
Tragically, while there have been slight improvements in the New Veteran Charter since CVNDOP-1, the government has yet to address the primary issues veterans/patriots united our voices on behalf of our wounded warriors. The Chump Sum Award issue remains the top priority. This issue has become time sensitive in the sense that contrary to promises made to the wounded in 2008 by then CDS General Hillier, the prospect of disabled veterans who cannot pass the Universality of Service fitness tests being released is very real. (Sit will be clarified in future sit rep) This is profoundly unfair not only to our wounded warriors, but the families that were told their futures would be secure within the military community family and gainful employment provided to their war wounded spouses. These are the wounded, these are the families who will now be subject to the consequences of the New Veterans Charter.
Promises surrounding Bill C-55 have also proven unsatisfactory, perhaps most aptly demonstrated by Royal Canadian Legion Dominion President Pat Varga’s public accusations against the Harper Government (her words, not mine) of discrimination in reference to Bill C-55’s exclusion of WW2, Korean and Peacekeeping veterans from the new enhancement programs. Several other traditional stakeholders have registered also complaints or sought clarification. The Canadian Veterans Advocacy however, believes that action supersedes words and we are pro-actively dedicated to protecting those to whom we have passed the torch against multiple-standard injustices inherent with the NVC and worse, the consequences of a potential THREE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS cut of VACs operating budget. I would note that we have conducted high level phone/email discussions with VAC HQ about the central issues several times over the past two weeks. I have also agreed to meet, at his request, Veterans Affairs Minister Blaney in Ottawa on the 29th of September at 11 am. The Advocacy is eager to engage in dialogue, we are not radicals, we believe in solutions, dialogue and yes, when necessary, public demonstration to defend and apply the One Veteran, One Standard principles.
Follow the money? Regardless of the fact that Canadians have been engaged in combat since 2006 and sustained hundreds, if not thousands of casualties, during the June VAC stakeholders meeting in Ottawa we were informed the Harper Government is planning a 5-10 percent cut in VAC’s budget. The effects/programs affected as a consequence of this substantial reduction were at this time unidentified. We have been assured on several levels at VAC that no veteran will be denied, assurances that I am confident were made in good faith and compassion. However, a ten percent cut in 3 Billion dollar budget equates to over three hundred million dollars, money that would be focused to veterans services! Realistically, without dedicated financial support from the government for ALL veterans, not just those who have served in Afghanistan, promises of prompt and comprehensive treatment options cannot be assured.
The Canadian Veterans Advocacy is staunchly opposed to any cutbacks to VAC’s operating budget and/or any plans to pay off the national debt at the expense of our wounded warriors!
Bill C-55 / PIA - I would compliment VAC ADM Gilbert, Director Butler and Ms Morrow for clarifying several issues over the past two weeks. There has some confusion as to the numbers, not surprising considering the rushed manner which Bill C-55 was rammed through parliament/senate prior to the last election. I will address the PIA in a future Situation Report and define the actual percentage status of the fifty veterans already in receipt of the PIA. The clarifications re Bill C-55's 2 Billion dollars enhancements however are profoundly disappointing when put in context of the promises veterans/families were given last year. 189 dollars have been allocated OVER the next five years, a mere 38 million dollars per year improvement! At this rate it will take over fifty years for the 2B dollars to be committed. I would also remind you that these provisions are fully taxed, as such, there will be a healthy return on the investment! Another perspective certainly has the potential to negate any Bill-C-55 enhancements as while the government may be providing 38 million is so called enhancements, they have announced intentions to cut five to ten percent of VAC’s budget. Boasting about hearing veterans voices and committing 38 million dollars per year to VAC’s budget to address the issue, the Harper Government is planning to cut up to THREE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS from Veterans Affairs Canada budget.
Smoke and mirrors, as Colonel Stogran defined in a recent article? Is our wounded warriors being care being subject to a government that would deprive funding for Canada’s disabled veterans… to pay off the national debt?
Canadian Veterans National Day of Protest 2011. I am pleased to note the organizational infrastructure for this year's national protest has expanded to include Winnipeg and Parry Sound, locales we did not have representation last year. Protests/rallies/vigils will be occurring from St John’s to Victoria at the eleventh morning hour. Updated information is posted at
VeteransVoice.info and the CVA Message board, where organizational aides, information sharing, a news archive/ data base and local Team Leader HQ/Communication s sites have been established in an interactive forum. Please feel free to comment or participate! Team leaders are always seeking assistance, as are we at the national level. In fact, due to the non-profit, voluntary nature of the Canadian Veterans Advocacy, volunteers are essential to our success. At the moment, events are being scheduled for St John’s, Halifax, Fredericton, Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa, Kingston, Trenton, Brampton, Sudbury, London, Winnipeg, Selkirk, Victoria and Chilliwack, where we had one of our strongest showings of support last year with over five hundred present. Another seven are potential and will be announced once confirmed.
Parliament Hill - Veterans Pilgrimage. On the national level, Veterans Advocate Jacques de Winter is moving forward with the Parliament Hill administration as he did with considerable success last year and so far there have been no glitches. This year, we are encouraging conscientious veterans and Canadian patriots to stand beside us on Parliament Hill before the Tower of Peace and Victory as the bells strike the eleventh hour. Afterwards, we shall rendezvous at the national war museum, a place wherein we can embrace our heritage in comradeship and share show our wives and children the weapons, vehicles, operations of our era.
For veterans, there is no act of patriotism more precious than defending those who stand on guard for thee!
We are not hooligans, we are Canadians who believe that there should be one standard for all of Canada’s sons and daughters who have suffered the horrific consequences of war in Canada’s name. This standard was established through valour, advocacy and parliamentary respect in the aftermath of battles at Dieppe, Ortona, Juno Beach, Kapyong, Hills 355- 187, GW1, the peacekeeping era, former Yugoslavia, Kabul, the Panjawaii Valley/Khandahar prior to the enactment of the obscenely flawed New Veterans Charter in 2006. Our quest is honourable, just and reflects true, patriot, love!
On November 5th, I implore you to look into your heart! This is a personal decision, one that transcends common allegiances, one based on love of country and a profound duty to those to whom we have passed the torch. Do you have the courage to answer the patriot’s call? Will you stand beside thousands of other Canadians on November 5th as we approach our MP and request legislative reform to the New Veterans Charter? Or will you stand silent, knowing that our wounded warriors are not being accorded the life time obligation, that the consequences of the Chump Sum Award have been profound?
On closing, I would offer tribute to Jack Layton as relayed to me by Veterans Advocate and CVNDOP-1 Toronto Team leader Ron Denham. Ron was recently immortalized 😉 on the John Adler Show for his conservative values and as such, it was with some surprise that he received a call from Mr Layton Friday evening from the hospital. The NDP leader assured Ron that he would join Liberal Kirsty Duncan at Liberal MP Ms Ratsini’s office on Saturday, that yes, he would add his voice to ours, he would support reform to the New Veterans Charter.
Lest we forget!
Michael L Blais CD
Founder/President, Canadian Veterans Advocacy
