Federal government announces changes to Veterans Charter
Posted Nov 17, 2010 07:03:50 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – The federal government has announced new changes to the veterans charter, Wednesday.
The changes include a boost of $1-thousand a month for injured veterans.
With the new legislation, injured veterans will eligible to up to $58-thousand a year from the federal government.
This includes $1-thousand a month in addition to the current benefit which consists of 75 per cent of the salary and an accompanying allowance.
Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minster of Veterans Affairs told 1310News what changes will be coming. “You have three things at the same time, not only one, three. Lump-sum payment plus the earning loss – $40-thousand – plus the monthly impairment allowances that may go up to $2,609.”
There will also be new options for how disability awards are paid.
Veterans can choose either a sum spread out over time, a lump-sum, or a partial lump-sum with the remainder paid over time.
These awards recognize both physical and psychological injuries.
Blackburn isn’t raising the ceiling for the award, which has raised the ire of the Royal Canadian Legion. The Legion welcomes the pension changes, but wants to see a high ceiling for the disability payment. Australian soldiers, for example, are eligible for up to $325,000.
The Legion says it’s going to keep pushing for a bigger payment.
An analysis by the veterans ombudsman’s office found the cash settlements are too small. Compared with the old pension system, they short-change soldiers in the lowest ranks, those with families and the most seriously disabled.
