Minister O'Toole speaks with Veterans' groups at Ottawa Summit

April 14, 2015 - Ottawa - Veterans Affairs Canada

The Honourable Erin O'Toole, Minister of Veterans Affairs, met today with representatives of more than 20 Veterans' organizations to discuss ongoing improvements at Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and to speak with them about recent enhancements to the programs and services available to Veterans.
   Minister O'Toole said Veterans Affairs Canada will hire more than 100 new disability benefits staff, both
   temporary and permanent, to help ensure Veterans receive faster decisions on disability benefit applications.
   These new hires are in addition to the more than 100 full time permanent new case workers being hired
   across Canada to provide one on one direct care to Veterans who need it the most.
   Today's announcement builds on recent announcements including:

The new Retirement Income Security Benefit, will provide moderately to severely disabled Veterans-those who need it most-with continued assistance in the form of a monthly income support payment beginning at age 65.
The new Family Caregiver Relief Benefit, will provide eligible Veterans with a tax-free, annual grant of $7,238 so that their informal caregivers-who are often their spouse or other devoted family members-will have flexibility or relief when they need it while also ensuring that the Veterans' care needs are met.
The new Critical Injury Benefit which will provide a $70,000 tax-free award to support those Canadian Armed Forces personnel and Veterans who, since April of 2006, experienced a sudden, single event resulting in an immediate and severe service-related injury or disease.
Broadened eligibility criteria for the Permanent Impairment Allowance (PIA) which, together with the PIA Supplement, provides life-long monthly financial support to Veterans whose career advancement opportunities have been limited by a permanent service-related injury or illness.
Enhanced benefits for injured part-time Reserve Force Veterans, who will now be assured the same minimum income support payment through the Earnings Loss Benefit as full-time Reserve Force and Regular Force Veterans.

That is the majority posted April 14th on this VAC link...http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=963769

Teen, it speaks of 20 veterans organizations. It is not the Webex summit from March 12 you posted today under Notices right? Tx for that.
Just trying to keep the MVA in the tool thread (no disrespect)


Bearing in mind the above was on the VAC site just a week ago. I'm peeved off. Why does GoC/VAC repeatedly and so pompously grandstand recent announcements that have not born fruit yet?
 
Also, "Veterans Affairs Canada will hire more than 100 new disability benefits staff" ? 
"...in addition to the more than 100 full time permanent new case workers being hired" ?
Well with $1.1 billion back to the treasury, 9 D.O's closed, and approx. 900(?) VAC staff let go out of 4,000 since 2009.

I feel like someone stole my dollar, and threw me back a wooden nickel.
For starters, Why do they not call the above 200 what they are... RE-HIRES.

Oh well, the budget will be balanced... and on who elses dime? pinger.

This meeting today was only because the budget is being presented and the Minister wanted to remind Canadians how much the Harperites have done for veterans. Watch the RISB listen to[those who need it most] sit back it's a ride and all those above veterans groups are sucking it up like gravy!