Royal Canadian Legion / Topics & Posted Articles

Some employees of the Royal Canadian Legion accessed the confidential files of Canadian veterans held by the federal government without the veterans’ consent.

The Privacy Commissioner is investigating one complaint about unauthorized access, but the legion has acknowledged additional incidents.

Such files contain the medical and, in some cases, financial details of the lives of veterans and retired RCMP officers.

The acknowledgment of the unauthorized access comes almost six years after the federal government paid a financial settlement and issued an apology to an Ottawa veteran, after Veterans Affairs employees widely shared his medical files among themselves and politicians.

“There have been incidents of unauthorized access and the subsequent investigation included the steps necessary to prevent the unauthorized access from recurring,” Ray McInnis, director of the service bureau at the Royal Canadian Legion’s Dominion Command in Ottawa, confirmed to the Citizen.

He declined to comment on the reports that two dominion command employees were fired in the spring of 2011 after repeated incidents of accessing the files of veterans.

It’s quite striking that six years after my privacy breach, Veterans Affairs still can’t get its act together.
Another investigation into unauthorized access is now underway. That one is being handled by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.

The electronic medical records are contained in the Veterans Affairs system called the Client Service Delivery Network, or CSDN. That network is accessible to authorized public servants.

Legion command service officers and assistant command service officers can also have access to the files if they are authorized by the department and have written consent from a veteran to look at the material.

Those legion officers are supposed to be involved in helping veterans apply for disability benefits or appeal decisions made by government on those benefits.

Veterans advocate Sean Bruyea said the problems unearthed by the Citizen are likely the tip of the iceberg.

“I think veterans will be very concerned that people completely unaccountable through any public service code, to any government mechanism, can access with impunity any of these files,” said Bruyea.

“It’s quite striking that six years after my privacy breach, Veterans Affairs still can’t get its act together.”

In 2010, the Conservative government apologized to Bruyea and paid a settlement after Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart ruled Veterans Affairs broke the law when it came to handling the retired officer’s personal information.

It emerged that Veterans Affairs bureaucrats had become fixated on Bruyea, an outspoken advocate who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Department employees circulated details of his psychiatric reports and other health issues to political staff members.

Before 2011, the health records of veterans could be only viewed in hard copy; signatures from all parties involved were required to access a file. But now all the files are compiled on the CSDN.

In the latest cases at issue, those who accessed the files had no authorization or need to view the medical data.

Veterans Affairs is only aware of one complaint about a legion service officer accessing records without consent, said department spokesman Janice Summerby. “The complaint is still under investigation,” she added.

It is unclear why the legion is acknowledging multiple incidents while the department is claiming it is only aware of one case.

“I don’t think management at Veterans Affairs really knows what is going on,” Bruyea said. “Instead of tightening up the rules after my privacy breach they seemed to have opened up access to the files to even more people.”

Bruyea said such files could have details of psychiatric reports, physical disabilities, intimacy problems, or financial situations in terms of what benefits a veteran is receiving, he added.

Summerby said the department logs all access to the computer system and keeps a permanent record of each viewing. In cases where legion service officers access the files, they are clearly identified as legion members, not department employees, she added.

There are 34 legion command service officers and assistant command service officers with access to the system.

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-legion-admits-accessing-government-files-on-veterans-without-their-consent

Well they just announced that Jaguar/ Land Rover will be the sponsor for the games, so maybe the legion can get their $500000 back, and put it towards helping Veterans in need.

Me either, The more I read and gather information on us (Veterans) the more I am astound.

Hmmm, seems every year the legion scoops 25k from vac for the national youth games.
Royal Canadian legion ottawa
The contribution assisted with the eligible costs of the 36th annual Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, held from August 15 to 21, 2012.

Oh and in 2011 Ottawa once again but games were in Ottawa.

Seems every year, some legion is getting money to pay for this event.

But I don't think its right, but here's a question...

How many veterwns here know how's running these teams / training location or even was is there a sign up list for veterans to take part in this.

I know myself I have no clue were these teams or when these teams were created..
Thoughts..

The Royal Canadian Legion is spending $500,000 to sponsor athletic games for disabled veterans, using money from its poppy fund. This has angered some, because they thought that money would be going toward supporting Canadian veterans in more direct ways, such as helping homeless vets or those in financial crisis. Some have let the legion know they’re unhappy.

The donation will make the Royal Canadian Legion a signature sponsor of the Invictus Games. The competition is being held this May in Florida. Fifteen countries are sending athletes and the games are coming to Toronto in 2017.

One obvious reason to help sponsor them is to raise the profile of the legion.

The Royal Canadian Legion does important work in Canada. It supports vets in a variety of ways, and helps create a social atmosphere for their families, helping tie the wider community together. But some legion halls have been closing: many aging vets have passed away and some younger ones aren’t as connected to legion culture. So sponsorship of the games seems money well spent to boost the organization’s connection to its younger clientele.

It’s also a good way to boost the morale of that younger group of vets. Athletic competition has always been a healthy pastime – physically and psychologically – and these games are no exception.

Canadian military families and veterans deserve to see the Royal Canadian Legion as a proud veterans’ group internationally. Let’s show the world what our vets are made of.

Concerns about using the poppy fund are understandable. Canadians may have donated expecting their money to go directly toward specific services. But most, we’ll wager, are happy to see it used in any general way that supports veterans. The value of this money can go beyond immediate frontline services.

The legion does need to ensure people know there could be many uses for their money. There are alarming rates of suicide and post-traumatic stress disorder among veterans. There is joblessness and the problem of housing.

The poppy fund website stresses the financial need of veterans (and others). But the fund is also there to “promote remembrance” – which, we suppose, can include many less direct forms of support.

Making sure that our veterans are recognized – such as through the Invictus Games – is one way to do that. The legion understands that, and we think Canadians do too.

That half-a-million bucks is a good use of money if it causes Canadians to care more, or donate more next year.

Maybe they’ll watch or attend the games when they come to Canada next year, which will in turn promote deeper understanding and empathy toward our veterans.

We’re happy to see Canadians proudly support their veterans on the world stage.

http://www.ottawasun.com/2016/04/30/invictus-games-money-well-spent

I lost all interest in the Legion when I could not get in as a serving military member.

Not trying to be difficult, but Ole Nav could use some poppy funds to cover his legion bar tab!

The Royal Canadian Legion is donating $500,000 from its annual Poppy Fund as a signature sponsor of the Toronto 2017 Invictus Games.

But some veterans are sharply critical of the sizable donation, charging the money raised from the legion’s annual poppy fund is intended to assist veterans “in financial need,” as the legion describes the fund grants on its website.

The Invictus Games invite service men and women from around the world who left their service wounded, injured or sick to compete in adapted athletics events.

Invictus means unconquered. The games “inspire their recovery, support rehabilitation, and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who serve their country,” the Invictus Games Foundation website indicates.

This year’s Invictus Games will be held at Walt Disney World, Fla. in May.

On Monday, May 2, Prince Harry will visit Toronto to officially kick off the countdown to the Toronto 2017 Invictus Games. Prince Harry founded the Invictus Games in London in 2014 after he attended the Warrior Games, a similar style event held in the U.S.

On Thursday, Brad White, dominion secretary of The Royal Canadian Legion, called spending $500,000 to become a signature sponsor of the games a “natural fit” for the organization. Ten days ago, senior members on the legion’s executive council voted unanimously in favour of the half-a-million-dollar support, he said.

“Helping soldiers, sailors and air people transition in their lives is what we’re all about,” White said from Ottawa in an interview Thursday. “The games help transition one’s life from the military, especially for those who are ill or injured, to their ‘new normal’. It can be a real difficult transition.”

Some critics charged the Invictus Games should not be financed through donations collected through the sale of poppies.

Poppy Fund grants “provide financial assistance to serving and former Canadian Armed Forces and their families who are in need,” the legion states on its website.

“Grants are available for food, heating costs, clothing, prescription medication, medical appliances and equipment, essential home repairs and emergency shelter or assistance.”

Last year, the legion donated $17 million in Poppy Fund grants to veterans, White reported.

Sponsoring the Toronto 2017 Invictus Games will not take Poppy Funds from any other recipients, White said.

“No veteran will go without,” White said.

“If a veteran is in need, the money will be there to support him or her and their family. If any veteran needs assistance with a disability issue (to obtain government compensation), we go and make a representation to the government. This is what we do.”

White argued the legion’s support of the games is not a use of the Poppy Fund contrary to any other.

He cited several Poppy Fund grants in recent years to assist veterans and families. Four years ago, the legion committed $500,000 to create a national program to support veterans with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) transition to civilian life. The legion committed the same amount to initiate a homeless veterans program, White said.

The legion contributed $1 million from the Poppy Fund to Royal Ottawa Hospital, whose chief psychiatrist is chairing brain research into PTSD among the military. A veteran engages in a virtual reality scenario which can trigger a PTSD response; the scanner records their brain activity.

Royal Ottawa’s scanner is the sole scanner in North America used for that purpose, White said.

People suffering from Operational Stress Injuries, we know this is just the bow wave,” White said. “World War Two veterans are coming forward. Families are saying, ‘now we know what our father or great uncle or grandfather went through all these years.’

“The latent effects of OSI are long-term down the road. That’s the whole point of the research, and the work veterans do to overcome the stigma. Having the Invictus Games in Canada, we hope, will help the Canadian public to better understand and to break down that stigma.”

Wayne Powell, immediate past president of Branch 258 Highland Creek in Scarborough, said he supports Dominion Command’s support of the games, and the financial extent of it.

“I think it’s a great thing,” said Powell, also his legion’s Poppy Fund chairman.

“I say that because it speaks volumes about what the Poppy Fund does to support veterans. If the money is there, the whole purpose is to support veterans and their families. It’s a one-time donation to assist veterans. I don’t have an issue with that.”

Chin Tam, public relations officer with District D, which includes 24 branches across Toronto, also said the legion’s support of the games is not a contradiction.

Last year, Tam said his district raised $1 million through the sale of poppies prior to Remembrance Day.

Those Poppy Fund grants are donated to veterans’ homes, health care benefits for veterans, hospitals and youth education and sports initiatives, Tam said.

“Very strict rules govern how the Poppy Fund grants are distributed,” Tam said. “The priority of course, is the veterans, widows and widowers and children, as well as remembrance.”

http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/6519708-royal-canadian-legion-defends-use-of-500-000-of-poppy-fund-money-to-support-invictus-games/

Here is the problem ;

"An attempt to make Canada’s largest veterans organization reveal details about its executives’ salaries and travel
has been shot down by its senior leadership."

First off the whole concept of the Legion should be made up of volunteers.

Secondly , if these idiots are vacationing on the poppy's fund ? They should be put in jail !

There's only one reason why they refuse to reveal details on salaries and travel , it's because they are hiding something.

Someone from the government needs to address this and hold them to account.
It is the communities and people across the Country donating these funds , there needs to be some accountability , where every penny is being spent.

The government needs to audit this organization and force them to reveal where every penny is being spent.

Wow talk about a Damage Control news report. I'll hazard a guess that there is some blowback coming from the membership.

OTTAWA, April 28, 2016 /CNW/ - A recent article questioned The Royal Canadian Legion's donation in support of the Invictus Games for ill and injured Veterans. The Legion is extremely proud to support Invictus Games 2017 because it provides an excellent forum for our ill and injured Veteran athletes to inspire their recovery and support rehabilitation among their peers.

As part of our mandate, the Legion is committed to helping raise awareness for the issues facing our Veterans and help them deal with the stigma associated with being ill or injured as well as raising their self-awareness and self-confidence in their everyday challenges.

Donations received through the generosity of millions of Canadians each year allows the Legion to directly support Veterans in need. In 2014/15, the Legion distributed $17 million through the Poppy Campaign for Canada's Veterans. Poppy Fund donations provided emergency assistance for food, heating costs, clothing, prescription medication, medical appliances and equipment, essential home repairs, and emergency shelter and housing assistance, and much more.

As well, funds were donated for medical training and research specific to Veterans, including $1 million towards the PET-MRI as part of the national mental health program to The Royal Ottawa. Another 500K from the Poppy Funds combined with $1.5million from Ontario Command Poppy Funds were used to support the Legion's Leave the Streets Behind Homeless Veterans program for hundreds of Homeless and near homeless Veterans across the country and another 500K from the same funds is used for Veterans transition programs.

Another initiative just announced by the Legion is the creation of the Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Special Section which offers a new way to strengthen our ability to support and advocate for Veteran mental health. It is a peer support network that will provide enhanced outreach and support for all Veterans and their families affected by an OSI.

The Legion is committed to ensuring every Veteran receives the care and benefits they deserve. By supporting the Invictus Games, we are helping raise awareness and further advocating for Canada's ill and injured Veterans.

We welcome this opportunity to highlight what the Legion does and what we stand for. This is why the Legion exists!



SOURCE The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command


For further information: please contact Bruce Poulin at Dominion Command, at (613) 591-3335 ext. 241 or by cell at (613) 292-8760 or bruce.poulin@legion.ca

http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/legion-supports-ill-and-injured-veterans-and-helps-raise-awareness-577453931.html

Gents, be nice! this organization is needed; it employs number of people who, if I remember correctly, refused to say how much $$$ they are paid for their services.

I lost all interest in the RCL when it became civilianized.

This is going to be interesting.

The Executive Council decided on the donation at a meeting and Eagles had to be asked 4 times for the amount.....yea even he know this is going to blow up in his face.

The Royal Canadian Legion is donating $500,000 from its poppy fund to sponsor a sports event, championed by Prince Harry, for wounded veterans from around the world.

But some veterans are questioning the sizable donation, saying the money collected from the legion’s annual poppy sales is meant as an emergency fund to help Canadian vets, including the homeless or those in dire financial straits.

The Invictus Games involves wounded veterans from 15 countries taking part in sporting events to highlight their recovery and continuing spirit. Prince Harry will be in Toronto on Monday to outline details of the games to be held in that city in 2017.

This year’s Invictus Games will be held at Walt Disney World in Florida later in May. Some 500 veterans from Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Britain, Afghanistan, Australia and the U.S. will take part.

Tom Eagles, dominion president of the Royal Canadian Legion, said spending $500,000 to become a signature sponsor of the games was a “no-brainer” for his organization. The sponsorship money will flow from the legion’s poppy fund, which comes from annual poppy sales.

“It’s money well spent, as far as I’m concerned,” Eagles said of the $500,000 contribution.

According to the legion’s website, grants from the poppy fund are available to veterans “who are in financial distress. Grants are available for food, heating costs, clothing, prescription medication, medical appliances and equipment, essential home repairs and emergency shelter or assistance.”

To receive money from the fund, a veteran must undergo “a financial means test” to ensure they actually need the assistance.

Mike Blais, president of Canadian Veterans Advocacy, said while the Invictus Games are a worthy event and the sponsorship would be good public relations for the legion, which is struggling to attract members, it shouldn’t be financed from donations collected through the sale of poppies.

“I think it’s inappropriate to use the poppy funds for any other reason than to assist veterans in distress,” he said.

“Canadians gave that money in good faith to assist disenfranchised veterans and do some good in a community that is plagued with high rates of suicide and homelessness.”

The Invictus Games boasts that it offers sponsors the potential to increase their brand recognition, engage in business networking and “unique hospitality benefits,” along with supporting young competitors.

Sean Bruyea, a veterans’ advocate from Ottawa, said a better accounting of money donated to the legion is needed.

“I don’t think Canadians donated to the poppy fund to provide benefits to veterans of Estonia or Georgia or Jordan,” he said. “What benefit is sponsoring the games to a homeless veteran in this country?”

But Eagles said the sponsorship fits in with the legion’s long history of helping veterans, and that the decision had unanimous support among top officials. He said he would have preferred to have contributed even more.

“We had our executive council two weeks ago; this was approved through that group and it was unanimous,” Eagles explained. “Everyone wants to get on board with this great thing.”

The legion issued a news release about its sponsorship of the games but it did not provide details about the amount of money being provided. Eagles was reluctant to provide a dollar figure, but after the Citizen requested the amount a fourth time he acknowledged the $500,000 pledge.

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-legion-under-fire-for-donating-poppy-funds-to-sports-event-for-veterans