Minister O’Toole empowers Veteran-centric Communications Task Force

Maybe I've been a mushroom too long but between this Veteran-centric Communications Force and the Retirement Income Security Benefit announced today why does the Ministry of Agriculture cross my mind? Because someone in Ottawa is growing carrots for yours truly. Yup, could be a bountiful harvest come election time this fall. pinger.

game changer my big hairy but !!!!

propat

Wounded vets with no military pension to get retirement support, Veterans Affairs Minister says

OTTAWA — The Harper government is proposing a new retirement benefit to help stave off old-age financial hardship for some of Canada’s most severely disabled soldiers, addressing a long-standing concern of veterans’ advocates.

The benefit would provide wounded troops with both serious and moderate injuries a monthly income support payment beginning at age 65, Veterans Affairs Minister Erin O’Toole told a news conference Monday in Toronto.

In a report released more than 18 months ago,

The veterans’ ombudsman released a report in October 2013 that found more than 400 severely disabled veterans, mostly from Afghanistan and recent peacekeeping missions, don’t receive certain allowances or a Canadian Forces pension, and lose their disability income replacement at retirement.

The proposed new benefit, which would close that gap, is one of a series of steps the Conservatives plan to take during the next month to help repair their frayed relationship with the veterans community.


“The government recognizes that moderate to severe service-related injuries can permanently affect the veteran’s ability to work following their service and earn enough money to save for their retirement beyond their working years,” O’Toole said.

The benefit is intended to make sure an eligible ex-soldier receives a total annual income of at least 70 per cent of his or her pre-retirement income. It will, however, be calculated on a case-by-case basis and take into account how much the veteran received before 65, as well as other sources of income.

O’Toole also said the retirement stipend would extend to families through a payment after the veteran dies.

Veterans Affairs estimates that by 2020, approximately 5,800 veterans and survivors would qualify for the new benefit, which still needs parliamentary approval.

The gap is one of the unintended consequences of the new veterans charter, the marquee legislation the Harper government has championed since it was enacted in 2006 after being introduced by the Liberals.

Veterans ombudsman Guy Parent flagged the issue of old-age poverty for the wounded when his office conducted an exhaustive analysis by comparing the charter to the old system of compensating veterans under the Pension Act.

Parent’s report was largely restricted to the plight of the most seriously wounded, but the government’s plan covers a wider scope.

The fact that the charter is, in some cases, not as generous as the old system is the subject of a court challenge by disgruntled Afghan veterans, who’ve argued that they are being discriminated against.

Parent was understandably pleased with Monday’s announcement, and urged MPs to pass the new entitlement.

“If Veterans Affairs Canada follows through on eligibility, this will be a game-changer for Canada’s most seriously injured veterans and their families,” he said

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/national/Wounded+vets+with+military+pension+retirement+support+Veterans/10874382/story.html

I agree bigrex but im only looking for one that's not on the list.

END THE BUYOUT NOW!!!!

that would get my vote for many years to come id even consider running for them.

propat

actually RCN I could be wrong but this actually sounds like a money saving venture for the GOC . so I think this will happen at least the parts that save them money . im sure they will look for as many good things they can do and save money at the same time prior to the election and dangle a big carrot for the future if they win.

but after they will only be looking for cost savings with no regard if it is good for the vets or not.

propat

While I do agree that this a good first step, in the grand scheme of things wrong with VAC, convoluted paperwork was pretty low on the priority list. This alone will not be enough to sway votes, if the budget doesn't address the issues identified in the HoC committee report.

Smoke and mirrors Nav, smoke and mirrors. They need to get some wins with us as I am sure Harper has been told that the same stance that he has been doing if it continues will cost him his job.

those WORDS do sound good and yup it COULD lead to positive change . a problem for sure way down on the priority list but a problem just the same so lets see what happens .

propat

I am starting to like this guy. He sounds like he's trying to tackle the problems of VAC

The Minister instructs Department to re-design all correspondence with Veterans and their families to focus on wellness

March 6, 2015 – Ottawa – Veterans Affairs Canada

The Honourable Erin O’Toole, Minister of Veterans Affairs, has instructed the Department to assemble a “Veteran-centric Communications Task Force” to improve how Veterans Affairs Canada communicates with Veterans—and he’s giving them a tight deadline to get the job done. The Task Force has 120 days to reduce the administrative paperwork burden for our Veterans and to ensure all letters and forms are easy to understand and necessary.

This work began a month ago, but is being expanded to all forms of regular communications between Veterans Affairs Canada and the Veterans being served. This is in keeping with the Minister’s early commitment to reducing red tape at Veterans Affairs Canada and creating a culture of service excellence that is more Veteran-centric.

Quick Facts

The mandate of the VAC Veteran-centric Communications Task Force is to look at each and every form and letter we use to communicate with our Veterans, and ask:

1. Is this letter or form easily understandable to a Veteran and his or her family?
2. Is each question in the form necessary to help the Veteran?
3. Could the letter or form be eliminated altogether?
4. If program eligibility requires updates or renewals, is the frequency appropriate for all Veterans, including many who have permanent impairments?
5. Could a case manager help fill out this paperwork for some Veterans?
6. Could more time be given for the Veteran to complete this paperwork?

The Veteran-centric Communications Task Force has authority to make a positive change at any time—its members don’t need to wait until the end of June deadline to make changes.

Quote

“The goal is to let our Veterans and their families focus on rehabilitation and living their lives. Communication with Veterans Affairs should be easy for Veterans to understand and clearly demonstrate that our focus is to serve the Veterans as clients and to promote their overall wellness.”
The Honourable Erin O’Toole, Minister of Veterans Affairs