Re: New vet payments “long overdue”… .I’d have to agree with that. What I don’t agree with is the implication that it is somehow entirely this government’s fault.
The Conservative party has been in power nine years now. In the first five years of its mandate it was a minority government, struggling to survive, rebuilding a military decimated by the previous government, and supporting a war mission also begun by them. Over the years, a huge bone of contention has been the change from a monthly disability pension to a lump sum for veterans, also brought in by the Liberal government. In 2011, this government took steps to try and improve this part of the NVC. It introduced Bill C55, which added monthly supplemental payments in addition to the lump sum that injured soldiers are entitled to.
In the article, Mr. Rathgeber states, “While $70k sounds like a lot of cash … it’s a fraction of the $250,000 you’d get for similar injuries outside the military.” He is comparing apples to oranges. The Critical Injury Benefit of $70,000 is new and not part of the original NVC. It is designed solely to help with financial matters in the immediate aftermath of a serious injury and cannot be compared to a civilian payout. The truth of the matter is Maj. Campbell did receive the maximum lump sum possible of $260,843 and he is also in receipt of monthly payments of more than $5,000 for disability – in addition to his Regular Force Officers pension. This was still less than he would have received under the old system and that is why he filed suit against the government. Does the fact that he is not financially destitute somehow make it harder to honour him for his many years of dedicated service to our country? He has already paid too high a price!
Mr. Rathgeber states, “The lump sum payment has been nothing short of a disaster … one that has left many Alberta veterans homeless.” I do not agree with this and after researching can’t find much that substantiates his claim. This government was the first to commission a study of homeless veterans in 2011. It discovered that most homeless veterans became that way after a lengthy period of time, on average 20 years, due to domestic problems and addictions. The actual numbers have not changed dramatically and the timeframe discounts Mr. Rathgeber’s theory. What has changed is increased awareness and support from the public. We now know more about homeless veterans thanks to programs like the Legion’s LeaveNoVetBehind and others. The good news is there are far more services available now to help these soldiers/veterans than there has ever been.
Mr. Rathgeber you pride yourself on being an independent voice but on this issue you are perpetuating half-truths. As a veteran myself I urge you to continue to keep this government’s feet to the fire but please tell the whole story and not just the parts that fit your agenda … whatever that may be.
Linda Nichol, St. Albert
