Canadian soldiers who put their lives and bodies on the line while protecting this nation’s freedoms deserve the same level of commitment from the federal government when their tour of duty is complete.
According to a year-old study by the Veterans Ombudsman’s office, recently dusted off by The Canadian Press, Canada’s new system of compensating veterans for injuries suffered in the field fails to live up to historical commitments to our troops, and pales in comparison to the types of payments given by more responsible governments around the globe. The 77-page report was critical of the New Veterans Charter, which involves paying out benefits in lump-sum instalments rather than the practice of guaranteed lifetime pensions that was set up after the Second World War.
The payments do not provide as much to veterans as the previous system, nor do they come close to matching other nations like Britain or Australia. The study also found senior officers stand the most to gain despite higher earnings compared to rank and file and married soldiers, all of which has led to criticisms the scheme is “cheap,” most notably by outspoken and soon to be out-of-work Veterans Ombudsman Pat Stogran. Earlier this month Stogran accused Ottawa of “penny pinching” veterans, directing pointed criticisms toward Veterans Affairs itself, which he called “deliberately obstructionist and deceptive.” Stogran’s contract will not be renewed by the same Conservative government that sat on the benefits study for the last year.
“Based on our assumptions, we are of the opinion that the actuarial present values of benefits identified in our evaluation offered through the [new Veterans Charter] are lower, in the majority of cases, than the actuarial present values of benefits offered under the Pension Act,” the report stated. This opinion was partly shared by Canada’s top soldier, Gen. Walter Natynczyk, who in an interview with the CBC recognized the new scheme “doesn’t work for everyone.”
Canadian veterans deserve better than lump-sum payments that are a trifle compared to nations like Britain, which offers three times the compensation as Canada’s maximum payment of $276,000 for the most severe injuries. The practice of paying out such large sums also begs reconsideration given frequent criticisms the cash is often used for large purchases like vehicles and recreational toys, especially by younger soldiers. Canada should consider a practice like in Australia, which in addition to paying veterans more, gives soldiers an option of receiving that money in smaller sums over a longer period of time, preventing the possibility of blowing the cash on a whim.
The Conservatives’ treatment of Stogran and his office’s report, shelved by Veterans Affairs, is a perplexing move for a government that has prided itself on increasing funding for the Canadian Forces after years of cutbacks under the Liberals. The government’s commitment to its soldiers in wartime is appreciated, but it should extend to their lives upon returning home from active duty. Silencing criticism of the payments makes little sense and only dishonours the efforts of the men and women who have sacrificed their bodies, their livelihoods, their psyche and, in some cases, their lives, to protect Canadian interests at home and abroad. They and their families deserve better.
