Minister O'Regan announces appointment of new Ombudsperson for the Department of Veterans Affairs

OTTAWA, Nov. 14, 2018 /CNW/ - Veterans Affairs Minister Seamus O'Regan today welcomed the appointment of Mr. L. Craig Dalton as the new Ombudsperson for the Department of Veterans Affairs, and thanked Mr. Guy Parent for his service to the Veteran community as Ombudsperson since 2010.

With over 25 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, Mr. Dalton served in a number of key positions, including: Commander of Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, while also serving as the Army Commander responsible for the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery; Chief of Staff Canadian Army and Doctrine Training Centre; and Chief Operating Officer/Commanding Officer Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team.   

Most recently Mr. Dalton has served as the Deputy Minister of Family and Social Services in the Government of Prince Edward Island, following similar positions in the Government of New Brunswick. He will serve as the new Veterans Ombudsperson effective November 11, 2018, for a term of 5 years.

The Veterans Ombudsperson is an impartial, arms-length and independent officer who is directly accountable to the Minister. They provide advice to Veterans Affairs Canada on the well-being of Veterans and their families. They have the mandate to review complaints arising from the Veterans Bill of Rights and issues related to programs and services administered by the Department and they facilitate access by clients to programs and services by providing them with information and referrals.

These appointments were made under the Government of Canada's new approach to Governor in Council appointments. This approach supports open, transparent and merit-based selection processes that strive for gender parity and reflect Canada's diversity, to support Ministers in making appointment recommendations for positions within their portfolio by providing them with information and referrals.

For more information on the Veterans Ombudsperson, visit www.veterans.gc.ca.

Quotes

"I welcome Mr. Dalton as the new Veterans Ombudsperson. Mr. Dalton's extensive experience and leadership as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces will serve Veterans well. I would also like to extend my thanks to Mr. Parent for his service as the Veterans Ombudsperson."

The Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

Quick Facts – Mandate of the Veterans Ombudsperson

The mandate of the Ombudsperson, found in the Order in Council P.C. 2007-530, shall be:

• to review and address complaints by clients [of Veterans Affairs Canada] and their representatives arising from the application of the provisions of the Veterans Bill of Rights;
• to identify and review emerging and systemic issues related to programs and services provided or administered by the Department or by third parties on the Department's behalf that impact negatively on clients;
• to review and address complaints by clients [of Veterans Affairs Canada] and their representatives related to programs and services provided or administered by the Department or by third parties on the Department's behalf, including individual decisions related to the programs and services for which there is no right of appeal to the (Veterans Review and Appeal) Board;
• to review systemic issues related to the (Veterans Review and Appeal) Board; and
• to facilitate access by stakeholders to programs and services by providing them with information and referrals.

Associated Links

• For more information on the Veterans Ombudsperson, visit http://www.ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca

SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada

For further information: Media Relations, Veterans Affairs Canada, 613-992-7468, [e-mail]; Alex Wellstead, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs, [e-mail]

Related Links

www.veterans.gc.ca