VETS' GROUP CALLS VAC'S TABLING OF NEW CHARTER LEGISLATION A GOOD BEGINNING

OTTAWA, Nov. 18 /CNW/ - The National Council of Veteran Associations (NCVA) calls the Veterans Affairs Minister's announcement yesterday that the Department will enact a package of benefits for veterans a good beginning in addressing the gaps and inequities identified in the New Veterans Charter.

In addition to the options spelled out with regard to the payment of the lump sum Disability Award, VAC Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn tabled legislation providing for a substantial financial increase in programs to assist seriously-injured veterans and lower-ranked members of the Forces, including a "catastrophic allowance" of $1,000 a month for life for seriously-injured veterans unable to return to work; significant expansion of access to the Permanent Impairment Allowance for seriously-disabled veterans and an increase to the benefit for lost earnings veterans receive while in rehabilitation to provide a minimum annual income of $40,000.

As a major representative of many of the traditional veterans' organizations, with members suffering from serious disabilities, the 58 member-group NCVA spearheaded the recommendation that the New Veterans Charter should be augmented to consider the plight of the Canadian Forces member who is medically disabled with a "catastrophic injury." 

Although it is acknowledged that the combined effects of the Disability Award, the Earnings Loss Benefit and the Permanent Impairment Allowance will be potentially of assistance, NCVA has strongly argued for further forms of compensation so as to fully recognize the significant incapacity suffered in these circumstances.  As such, NCVA was pleased to see that this was acknowledged in the proposed legislation introduced by the Minister yesterday.

"There is no doubt that the plight of the seriously injured young private together with other seriously disabled veterans deserves special attention insofar as the financial compensation available under the New Veterans Charter.  The proposed addition of a 'catastrophic allowance' and the enhancements to the Earnings Loss Benefit and Permanent Impairment Allowance will improve the financial picture for these seriously disabled veterans," said NCVA Secretary General Brian Forbes.

"As we have previously stated, the devil is in the details, and we will be monitoring the legislative and policy changes to be enacted by the Government to ensure the targets and objectives in the Minister's announcement are achieved," he said.

Mr. Forbes added that, although this current initiative is helpful, the NCVA would continue to pressure the Government to fully implement the recommendations of the New Veterans Charter Advisory Group, on which the NCVA sits, and the additional proposals made regarding the new Charter by the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs.

These further reforms would include the following key elements:

• The SISIP (Service Income Security Insurance Plan) Long-term Disability program should be eliminated to remove the insurance culture constraints presently contained in the New Veterans Charter.                               
• The Earnings Loss Benefit should be increased to 100% of pre-release income and, in relation to permanently incapacitated veterans, be paid for life (not terminated at 65, as is currently the case).  In addition, the projected career earnings of a Canadian Force Member should be employed as the standard for the payment of the Earnings Loss Benefit.
• The lump sum Disability Award should be increased commensurate with the general damages paid by Canadian courts.  In addition, a comparable evaluation should be carried out as to the parallel benefits paid by Allied countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia.

It remains NCVA's high priority as part and parcel of its involvement with the New Veterans Charter Advisory Group to ensure that VAC also fulfills the Government's commitment to traditional veterans and that the new Program's development does not lead to any reduction in future benefits and services provided to traditional veterans and their dependants. 

Although NCVA clearly acknowledges the need to enhance the New Veterans Charter as a "living" document, it is also important to recognize that the specific needs of the traditional veterans' community require prioritized attention.  

"We trust that we need not emphasize that the average age of the World War II veteran is approximating eighty-eight, and that the window of opportunity is closing for the establishment of much needed revisions to specific concerns related to the Long Term Care program (particularly intermediary care) the Last Post Fund/Veterans Burial Regulations, and the VIP for widows," Mr. Forbes said.

"It is a fundamental tenet of NCVA's Legislative Agenda that appropriate recognition be given to the fact that the ravages of age continue to impact on traditional veterans and particularly seriously disabled veterans and their dependants."

"We look forward to working with VAC and the Department of National Defence in expediting these essential reforms to legislation in Canada for all veterans and their dependants," he added.

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