Question Period Alupa Clarke , Cathy Wagantall , Erin O'Toole Tackle Kent Hehr

I hear what Doug is saying, I think we all do but at this point I don't think writing your MP,Minister, or the PM is going to solve anything. Remember we did this for 10 years and nothing. The senate committee raised questions/concerns, both oppositions raised questions/concerns and nothing. Veterans raised questions/concerns and nothing. Our file is being worked on by bureaucrats and our Minister is behind them 100%. Our Minister is proud of what he says his government has accomplished thus far, one just has to watch his interviews to validate this. By any rights in his own mind he believes it's just a hand full of Veterans that are disappointed even though his facebook page is loaded with backlash, backlash on a daily basis. He is a junior who will someday realize his mistake of fallen into the bureaucratic trap. There was a lot of public pressure brought forward with regards to the failure of admittance into Camp Hill. However he folded and allowed the admittance to occur, further to this he is going to do a complete overhaul to ensure the fairness in this situation continues going forward. I think it's important to note that this complete turn-around shows us all that it is possible for us all to have ourselves heard and have action done the way Veterans want, not the bureaucrats.
We can continue the status quo and continue to write our MP's and hope the future stakeholder meetings provide positive action on our file, but the reality is that this is highly unlikely seeing the way our Minister has sided with the bureaucrats, and not the Veterans. In my own opinion I think the PM jumped in and ordered our Minister to take proactive action now in the case of Camp Hill. To add to this I believe it was the public protest along with of course the many opinions brought forward by the media, but in my opinion it was the public protest that was the braking point. Our PM does not like it when Veterans are publicly protesting, public protest is free from the bureaucratic Machine, this is where Veterans can speak their mind to all Canadians without the interference from bureaucrats. So perhaps moving forward the focus should be on public protest, and not so much on stakeholder meetings.

Something to read from the OTTAWA CITIZEN EDITORIAL BOARD.

June 27, 2016 6:00 AM EDT

Start treating all veterans as equals

Recent media reports have highlighted the plight of 90+ year-old Second World War veterans being turned away from the Camp Hill Veterans Hospital, underscoring the failing of Veterans Affairs Canada to assist these veterans in obtaining access to much-needed care.

A much larger issue also exists: that of access to long-term care for the modern-day veteran (1953-present) and the arbitrary cut-off legislated in the Pension Act, which denies these veterans access to the same range of services that are afforded their Second World War and Korean War counterparts. This is discriminatory.

Successive governments have “institutionalized discrimination” based upon “era of service.” The modern-day veteran is being treated as second-class. The government, through its inaction in bringing forth legislation and policies which would address this “denial of access” is complicit in perpetuating a system that does not treat all veterans equally and equitably.

It boils down to the government acknowledging that “a veteran is a veteran.” That their blood, sweat, toil, efforts and sacrifices are deemed to not be of equal value is not only wrong, it is also morally repugnant.

Gordon Jenkins, CD (Ret’d), President, NATO Veterans Organization of Canada

http://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/letters/your-letters-for-monday-june-27-nukes-arent-normal

Extracted from the Banishe's Website

By Mr. Doug. R

 It’s been a hectic few weeks of ups and downs for many of our Veterans. We observed the minister of VAC do numerous TV interviews and pump out the line of Care Compassion and Respect yet fail to address the denials of care directed at Heroes of the free world as we know it. A shameful display to any man or woman who strapped on a pair of boots to serve our nation. Disrespect in so many ways. This Minister is only a front man with little knowledge of Veterans issues who is relying on his General Uncle Walt (his deputy minister) and his top staff recruited from the insurance industry to guide him through the precarious waters of dealing with people who demand integrity and honesty their word is their bond (Veterans) All the media hype and Bovine Excrement put out by nameless media spin minions failed to quell the fact of the situation. Veteran denied! Not a fall through the cracks but denied common sense good judgement and benefit of doubt not even remotely applied nor considered. Find an obscure rule and deny. A culture within VAC that has been predominate for years if not generations. Then stone wall and tout the very people who commit such despicable acts. The very people who make a living on the blood pain and suffering of our finest citizens. They go to great lengths to silence our voices and ignore our plea of take care of our brothers and sisters injured in service to our country. The next simple fact is it all boils down to money. Bonuses are paid to these bastards to deny care and compensation to Injured Veterans. If we accomplished one thing we made this common knowledge in public form. MP's were made aware and yes I think they were unaware for the most part believing that things were moving forward. The crew at the top will know with much egg on their face wait us out and go to great lengths to again confuse the issues with steak holder meetings and bovine excrement in hope that this too shall pass and back to business as usual. Not so we have demonstrated that we as Veterans can find our voices in Word, Deed and Action. Standing up shoulder to shoulder using our talents to put pressure on our elected officials to change this system. It’s time for a clean sweep and heads should roll. Let’s encourage our brothers and sisters to stand tall and proud and to effectively make them change. The hell with politics and organizations that bastardize our message of frustration and despair. We will speak out we will write our MP's Ministers and Prime Minister and we will prevail. We have brothers back in court fighting to make government bureaucrats to accept their responsibility to all those who serve or have served. Again denial disrespect. This has to cease and the culture of deny has to end. We as Veterans cannot lay down and let this continue write, speak, and engage those that we Voted in they will respond. Let’s keep looking out for each other we are all that will. VAC Minister Hehr change that spiel to Action Care Compassion and Respect and deal with us in an honest fashion cut the bovine excrement.


Note from me:

And I thought I was alone in my struggles with VAC.

Bravo Zulu ! !!

Minister Hehr announces expanded access to Camp Hill for Veterans
KENT HEHR·FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016
Ottawa — The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, issued the following statement:
“Since we became aware of the challenges faced by Veterans in accessing long term care in Nova Scotia, we have been working very closely with Nova Scotia Members of Parliament and the Nova Scotia Health Authority to find a solution that ensures the well-being of our Veterans and of our Allied Veterans.
“Today, I am pleased to announce we have reached a new agreement with the Nova Scotia Health Authority to expand Veterans’ access to beds in the Camp Hill Veterans’ Memorial Building.

“The Veterans Health Care Regulations are not currently compassionate or flexible enough to address the urgent needs of our Veterans, so as we undertake a review to better address long term care needs, this measure will provide the flexibility necessary to help Veterans and their families.
“I wish to thank the Province of Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Members of Parliament for their hard work and collaboration with us on this solution. It is a truly an important accomplishment for the Veterans.”

Norwegian vet will be admitted to Camp Hill after all, family told.

Petter Blindheim, 94, is in the process of being admitted, says son.

Jun 24, 2016 11:23 AM AT

The family of a decorated Norwegian war veteran says that after months of struggle, Petter Blindheim, 94, will finally be admitted to Camp Hill Memorial Hospital in Halifax.

Peter Blendheim, Blindheim's son, says he met with Halifax MP Andy Fillmore on Friday, who gave him the news in person.

"This is not only going to be a positive outcome for us, it is going to have a positive outcome for Canada," said Blendheim, who was en route to give his parents the good news.

He said his parents are going to be "overwhelmed."

Blindheim is now in the process of being admitted, according to his son.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/norwegian-veteran-petter-blindheim-admitted-camp-hill-1.3650822

Lunenburg mayor sides with Norwegian vet barred from Halifax hospital.

June 21, 2016 - 8:45pm

Petter Blindheim has a new Nova Scotian ally in his battle to be treated with other veterans at Halifax’s Camp Hill Hospital.

Lunenburg Mayor Rachel Bailey has come to the defence of the 94-year-old, who was initially rejected for placement at the Camp Hill Veterans Memorial hospital on the basis that Norway had “surrendered” and members of the Royal Norwegian Navy who continued to fight weren’t considered Allied veterans.

“It’s truly upsetting if this man, a 94-year-old Norwegian veteran, is being challenged as to whether or not he is deserving of care within a place specially created for those who fought for our freedom,” Bailey said.

“I do hope Veterans Affairs officials in Ottawa are able to sort out this situation without further delay,” she said.

The Town of Lunenburg was the home of Camp Norway from 1940-1943. Stranded Norwegian whalers and seamen unable to return home after the Nazi invasion of Norway in 1940 participated in a training camp operated by the Norwegian military, converting whaling vessels to convoy escort ships, then serving active duty at sea, according to a release issued by the town Tuesday.

“Norwegians were not only our allies in the war effort, but they became friends and even family in Lunenburg County during that time … We have a special bond with Norway, forged in wartime when we were working and living side by side,” Bailey said.

Ottawa recanted its initial position, but then rejected Blindheim — who has been falling and has a broken arm — saying he could be sent to a provincial facility where the federal government will still pay his daily costs.

A spokeswoman for the federal minister of veterans affairs said while Ottawa fully funds the care needs of any veteran, including Norwegians, it isn’t always possible to do so in the facility of the veteran’s choosing.

The family has said there is a lengthy waiting list for provincial homes, and adds that Blindheim would prefer to be with other veterans at the Halifax hospital — which receives a higher daily subsidy that the average provincial nursing home.

Blindheim’s case caught the ear of officials in his native land.

A senior member of the Norwegian foreign affairs parliamentary committee said Ottawa’s refusal to admit him to the Halifax hospital is disrespectful to the sailors who fought for the Allies in the Second World War.

Christian Tybring-Gjedde, the defence spokesman for the Progress Party, says he plans to bring the case to government ministers in the coalition government formed by the ruling Conservatives and his political party.

Tybring-Gjedde says he’s calling on Canadian officials to cut through “all the red tape, immediately reverse the decision and treat Mr. Blindheim with the respect he deserves.”

http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1374349-lunenburg-mayor-sides-with-norwegian-vet-barred-from-halifax-hospital

Ladies and Gentlemen our Worst Minister at the moment is...........

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FL7gl-QSoTI0&h=qAQG3R-03

more to follow....we are not imagining this. we are not in the twilight zone (as NAVRAT would say) this is real. They make up the rules and should be able to change them?
More complicated stuff then one can imagine if even the MVA can not wave a magic wand.
Stop saying we are building Rome! Rome is built, just honour your past warriors to keep Rome (Canada) Strong and Free..

Another little tidbit came up which I thought was the issue....money.

It seems Camp Hill costs more then what VAC pays. Now VAC has to keep their ground on this one or else everyone else will freak out and want the same amount.

I am pretty damn certain Hehr and the NS premier talked and it was most likely about money. Unless Camp Hill is privately owned?

well teen that's interesting . so he should never have asked VAC at all but asked the province instead . someone should let this guy know this and tell mc neil as well . while they are at it tell DVA to stop rejecting people from camp hill when they have no authority to do so.

propat

Canada's Treatment Of Petter Blindheim, Elderly Veteran, Upsets Norwegian MP.

June 20 , 2016

Click the link at the bottom of this article to view the Videos.

HALIFAX — A senior member of the Norwegian foreign affairs parliamentary committee says Ottawa's refusal to admit a 94-year-old to a veteran's hospital in Halifax is disrespectful to the sailors who fought for the allies in the Second World War.

Christian Tybring-Gjedde, the defence spokesman for the Progress Party, says he plans to bring the case of Petter Blindheim forward to government ministers in the coalition government formed by the ruling Conservatives and his political party.

Tybring-Gjedde says the media and political attention devoted to the Blindheim case has been light so far in Norway, but he expects that may change if the decorated veteran of Norway's navy and merchant marine doesn't receive a spot at the hospital.

Blindheim was initially rejected for placement at the Camp Hill Veterans Memorial hospital on the basis that Norway had "surrendered" and members of the Royal Norwegian Navy who continued to fight weren't considered allied veterans.

Ottawa recanted that position, but then rejected Blindheim — who has been falling and has a broken arm — because it said he could be sent to a provincial facility where Ottawa will still pay his daily costs.

Cut through 'all the red tape'

A spokeswoman for the federal minister of Veterans Affairs says that while Ottawa fully funds the care needs of any veteran, including Norwegians, it isn't always possible to do so in the facility of the veteran's choosing.

The family has said there is a lengthy waiting list for provincial homes, and adds that Blindheim would prefer to be with other veterans at the Halifax hospital — which receives a higher daily subsidy than the average provincial nursing home.

Tybring-Gjedde says he's calling on Canadian officials to cut through "all the red tape, immediately reverse the decision and treat Mr. Blindheim with the respect he deserves."

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/06/20/refusal-to-admit-war-veteran-upsets-member-of-norwegian-parliamentary-committee_n_10571088.html

The policies put aside he is a Cabinet Minister , Minister of Veterans Affairs responsible for Veterans , the whole Country is rallying behind getting this Veteran into Camp Hill.
The Minister offered to pay for a regular civilian nursing home which cost much less then Camp Hill , to add to this the Minister knows full well that the waiting list is long for civilian nursing homes in this Veterans area.
So it's a cruel move by our Minister whichever way you look at it , it makes him look weak an unable to make leadership decisions.
What are they going to do to him if he folds an decides to pay the cost of Camp Hill an admits this Veteran into Camp Hill ?
Fire him for looking after the wishes of an elderly Veteran ?
He needs to grow a pair?

Refusal to admit war veteran upsets member of Norwegian parliamentary committee.

June 20, 2016 12:56 pm

A senior member of the Norwegian foreign affairs parliamentary committee says Ottawa’s refusal to admit a 94-year-old to a veteran’s hospital in Halifax is disrespectful to the sailors who fought for the allies in the Second World War.

Christian Tybring-Gjedde, the defence spokesman for the Progress Party, says he plans to bring the case of Petter Blindheim forward to government ministers in the coalition government formed by the ruling Conservatives and his political party.

Tybring-Gjedde says the media and political attention devoted to the Blindheim case has been light so far in Norway, but he expects that may change if the decorated veteran of Norway’s navy and merchant marine doesn’t receive a spot at the hospital.

Blindheim was initially rejected for placement at the Camp Hill Veterans Memorial hospital on the basis that Norway had “surrendered” and members of the Royal Norwegian Navy who continued to fight weren’t considered allied veterans.

Ottawa recanted that position, but then rejected Blindheim – who has been falling and has a broken arm – because it said he could be sent to a provincial facility where Ottawa will still pay his daily costs.

A spokeswoman for the federal minister of Veterans Affairs says that while Ottawa fully funds the care needs of any veteran, including Norwegians, it isn’t always possible to do so in the facility of the veteran’s choosing.

http://globalnews.ca/news/2773865/refusal-to-admit-war-veteran-upsets-member-of-norwegian-parliamentary-committee/?sf29090712=1

Yes. VAC no longer controls LTHC homes but they pay for a vets bed at a LTHC. It's been like this for the last 15 or so years.

Camp Hill may be called a veteran LTHC but it is not. Whoever owns it, the province or private owner, kept the name.

ok thought I had this pretty straight but now I'm a little confused .

teen are you saying if the province gives him the bed DVA would be forced to pay for it ???

propat

6608 I hear you but what he said is true. What you posted is for vets where there is an agreement between countries on LTHC. There isn't one with Norway.

Again Rex VAC downloaded LTHC to the provinces in the 90's early 2000's. VAC pays for the bed once the province gives them a bed.

Now that there is an agreement between Norway and Canada for LTHC the vet will have his bed paid for by VAC and VAC will bill Norway. If he's not in Camp Hill yet it might be because the agreement between Canada and Norway isn't official yet.

Hehr was speaking in semantics. He said that he wanted to be very clear, and that "VAC does not own any hospitals!". That is very accurate. But there is a very distinct difference between owning a facility, and being responsible for determining who is eligible for a bed, in one of these facilities. And the VMB is NOT a hospital, and neither are any of the other places that they have Veterans long term care beds. They are long term care facilities, or seniors homes. After all, the provincial governments are not going to have access to a person's military records, to make that determination.