Federal budget to bring back lifetime pension option for Canadian veterans

Budget to promise lifetime pensions for injured veterans by year’s end

The Canadian Press | March 20, 2017

The Liberal government will commit in Wednesday’s federal budget to offer disabled veterans the option of a lifetime pension by the end of the year, The Canadian Press has learned.

While the actual details of the pension will be worked out in the coming months, the commitment to a specific timeline will mark an important benchmark for the Liberals’ signature election promise to veterans.

Canada previously offered lifelong pensions to those hurt in the line of duty, but they were abolished in 2006 and replaced by a new system centred on a lump-sum payment for injuries and career training. But the new system has become a lightning rod for veterans’ anger, with many complaining that it provides less financial support over their lifetimes and demanding that the pensions be restored.

The Liberals were the only party to promise in the 2015 election to bring back life pensions for injured veterans, with the pledge serving as the centrepiece of their effort to court veteran voters.

In last year’s budget, the government moved to increase the maximum lump-sum payment to $360,000 from $310,000, starting this April 1, with the increase retroactive for all who had received it. It also topped up a number of financial benefits for veterans injured while in uniform and unable to work and re-opened nine Veterans Affairs Canada offices that had been closed by the Conservatives. Those measures were expected to cost $5.6 billion over six years.

But many questioned whether the government would make good on its pledge to bring back the disability pensions, which both the Conservatives and NDP said would be prohibitively expensive.

Representatives from a number of veterans’ groups interviewed earlier this week expressed frustration about the government’s silence and perceived lack of progress on a number of fronts. Those included providing free education to ex-soldiers and creating a new centre for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychological injuries.

But the promise to bring back lifelong pensions as an option for disabled veterans alongside lump-sum payments and career training was clearly foremost in their thoughts.

“There’s a lot of things left on (Veterans Affairs Minister Kent Hehr’s) mandate letter that we’re waiting for,” said Deanna Fimrite, dominion secretary-treasurer of Army, Navy, Air Force Veterans in Canada. “I think probably in the minds of most veterans it is: What is going to be done about lifelong pensions? I think that’s number 1 on most of their lists.”

Conservative veterans affairs critic John Brassard echoed that assessment, saying the pension is the top issue that ex-soldiers raise when he meets them.

The issue is also at the heart of a lawsuit filed in B.C., where six veterans from the war in Afghanistan have been fighting for years to either get the pensions reinstated or get equivalent compensation.

But while the commitment to deliver by the end of the year is expected to be welcomed, one of the next questions is what form the pensions will actually take. Expectations are high for some veterans, who say only a full return to the old pension system will address their complaints about a lack of fairness and allay their anger.

But the reason the Liberals were the only party that promised to reintroduce the disability pensions was because of the expected costs, which many expect would be in the billions.

The government has previously declined to say whether the government plans to offer disability pensions exactly the same as those offered to veterans before 2006, or whether they will be retroactive.

Around 70,000 injured veterans received a total of about $2.8 billion in lump-sum payments between 2006 and February 2016 and many of them have indicated they would have preferred a pension. Some veterans groups have conceded that the old disability pensions are gone for good and that it’s inevitable something different will replace them.

http://www.benefitscanada.com/pensions/governance-law/budget-to-promise-lifetime-pensions-for-injured-veterans-by-years-end-95349

NAVRATILOVA,

I'm fully aware you enjoy humor, that's all good and fine as long as it doesn't get out of hand.

Your reference to another member in your post goes beyond humor, although this member is perfectly capable of defending himself from any post, posted about him, or referencing him, it does not change the fact that your comment about him is provocative in nature. He started nothing, he simply responded to your comment, this type of behavior although maybe seen as an innocent comment by yourself can lead into a full blown argument which takes us all off course, of what we all stand for. We have seen this happen many times before. By now I'm sure you know the way I handle these types of situations, so please take note and think of what I just wrote before you make another comment towards another member in this manner.

Thanks

Trooper

So glad to see you still have that "selective memory" Navrat. I always said I hoped and wished Trudeau would deliver on his promises many times.

But seeing as you just want to stir up the "individual political choice" pot how about I say it one more time....I really hope the lifelong pension is what veterans expect and he does get it done by the end of the year.

Now as for that bronze statue you can send it to me but by your avatar address shows your mailing skills are questionable. You do know 100 Sussex is the home for the National Research Council of Canada and ChemAdvance ? But if you were trying to use the PM's address it's 124. But if you are going to move there I would wait until the renovations are done or you might be in the way of the contractors. To help you out JT is living at Stornoway until the reno's are done.

i try to look at where i was where i am and where i may be going atm things are better than before not sure how it all will work out going forward i can hope for the best plan for the worst but for now i feel things are better for me than back in 2008 and i hope for many others but like trooper says don't forget there are hidden agenda's by the top and if we continue to hold them accountable maybe one day we can get them to follow through on what they say with no hidden agenda

The line that says - Actual details will be worked out in the coming months,,As we know from this past yr, that means - details will be worked out before the end of our mandate..Lol. Johnny Out, VVV...

You can forget about returning to the tax free pension act, that's not going to happen, not with this government anyway.

The reason why they are not saying anything is because they haven't got a clue, the only ones that really know is the ones who wrote it up, the bureaucrats. Kent has got no clue about details, neither does the PM, their job is to announce and implement a lifelong pension period. The bureaucrats produce it, and the Minister announces it. It does not really matter if Veterans like it or not, they did their part and they will parade every single implementation to shine the perception of how well this government treats it's Veterans, and how they fulfilled their promises.

I will not for one second praise this lifelong pension until I see the details of it. I will not praise this government until I see the details of it.
Just because this government may be a notch better than the previous government, that does not make them the best thing that ever happen to Veterans. The same old tactics are being used, and the top is lazy in getting to understand and learn in detail our file, it's left up to the bureaucrats to run the show. This will work in their favor, not ours.

This will take some time to implement. For those that got a lump sum and now opt for a monthly pension, they will have to calculate what they would have received and what they did receive. For some of those people, receipt of a monthly pension could be years away. You can't give a lump sum award to someone and ignore that amount if they opt into a monthly pension.

Willie, I clearly remember signing your copy of your settlement after holding the door open for you in Halifax. I was sure you had a portrait of myself . I clearly remember you referring to me as Lord Elgin!

OK, if they go back to the pensions act and retroactive the pensions to all disability award claimants this will create a huge problem I believe. This will mean that anyone who has received a disability award will now have a pa pension which I support but the old pa veterans never received a disability award which would be unfair and believe me have the wolves, I mean lawyers licking their chops. Also if they go back to the PA does that mean the old nvc guys who get pia and supplement still get it or can old pa veterans now get it. A lot of questions but the bottom line is a life long pensions of any kind are a lot better than a lump sum, it gives security and that is the best medicine injuried veterans can receive.

"The government has previously declined to say whether the government plans to offer disability pensions exactly the same as those offered to veterans before 2006, or whether they will be retroactive".

And herein lays the problem.  Why the secrecy?   Better yet what gives the Feds the right to withhold information?


*I am a dual PA and NVC veteran, and I can only imagine the frustration NVC only vets must feel. Two classes of Veterans exist, and that ain't right.

found this in the toronto starOTTAWA—The Liberal government will commit in Wednesday’s federal budget to offer disabled veterans the option of a lifetime pension by the end of the year, The Canadian Press has learned.

While the actual details of the pension will be worked out in the coming months, the commitment to a specific timeline will mark an important benchmark for the Liberals’ signature election promise to veterans.

Canada previously offered lifelong pensions to those hurt in the line of duty, but they were abolished in 2006 and replaced by a new system centred on a lump-sum payment for injuries and career training.

The new system has become a lightning rod for veterans’ anger, with many complaining that it provides less financial support over their lifetimes and demanding that the pensions be restored.

The Liberals were the only party to promise in the 2015 election to bring back life pensions for injured veterans, with the pledge serving as the centrepiece of their effort to court veteran voters.


as well as

http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/author/lee-berthiaume-the-canadian-press/
Budget to promise lifetime pensions for injured veterans by year’s end
By Lee Berthiaume, The Canadian Press — Mar 17 2017
OTTAWA — The Liberal government will commit in Wednesday's federal budget to offer disabled veterans the option of a lifetime pension by the end of the year, The Canadian Press has learned.

While the actual details of the pension will be worked out in the coming months, the commitment to a specific timeline will mark an important benchmark for the Liberals' signature election promise to veterans.

Canada previously offered lifelong pensions to those hurt in the line of duty, but they were abolished in 2006 and replaced by a new system centred on a lump-sum payment for injuries and career training.

But the new system has become a lightning rod for veterans' anger, with many complaining that it provides less financial support over their lifetimes and demanding that the pensions be restored.

The Liberals were the only party to promise in the 2015 election to bring back life pensions for injured veterans, with the pledge serving as the centrepiece of their effort to court veteran voters.

In last year's budget, the government moved to increase the maximum lump-sum payment to $360,000 from $310,000, starting this April 1, with the increase retroactive for all who had received it.

They also topped up a number of financial benefits for veterans injured while in uniform and unable to work and re-opened nine Veterans Affairs Canada offices that had been closed by the Conservatives.

Those measures were expected to cost $5.6 billion over six years.

But many questioned whether the government would make good on its pledge to bring back the disability pensions, which both the Conservatives and NDP said would be prohibitively expensive.

Representatives from a number of veterans' groups interviewed earlier this week expressed frustration about the government's silence and perceived lack of progress on a number of fronts.

Those included providing free education to ex-soldiers and creating a new centre for veterans suffering from PTSD and other psychological injuries.

But the promise to bring back lifelong pensions as an option for disabled veterans alongside lump-sum payments and career training was clearly foremost in their thoughts.

"There's a lot of things left on (Veterans Affairs Minister Kent Hehr's) mandate letter that we're waiting for," said Deanna Fimrite, dominion secretary-treasurer of Army, Navy, Air Force Veterans in Canada.

"I think probably in the minds of most veterans it is: What is going to be done about lifelong pensions? I think that's number 1 on most of their lists."

Conservative veterans affairs critic John Brassard echoed that assessment, saying the pension is the top issue that ex-soldiers raise when he meets them.

The issue is also at the heart of a lawsuit filed in B.C., where six veterans from the war in Afghanistan have been fighting for years to either get the pensions reinstated or get equivalent compensation.

But while the commitment to deliver by the end of the year is expected to be welcomed, one of the next questions is what form the pensions will actually take.

Expectations are high for some veterans, who say only a full return to the old pension system will address their complaints about a lack of fairness and allay their anger.

But the reason the Liberals were the only party that promised to reintroduce the disability pensions was because of the expected costs, which many expect would be in the billions.

The government has previously declined to say whether the government plans to offer disability pensions exactly the same as those offered to veterans before 2006, or whether they will be retroactive.

Around 70,000 injured veterans received a total of about $2.8 billion in lump-sum payments between 2006 and February 2016 and many of them have indicated they would have preferred a pension.

Some veterans groups have conceded that the old disability pensions are gone for good and that it's inevitable something different will replace them.

— Follow @leeberthiaume on Twitter

Lee Berthiaume, The Canadian Press

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The so called New Veterans Charter was originally a Paul Martin idea. Enacted by the Harper regime to save money and to cut ties with as many veterans as possible, by way of lump sum buyouts.

However, politicians failed to realize that military personnel are trained to be absolutely relentless in their pursuit to complete the mission and this trait spills over to civie street.

WHO EVER WROTE THIS, BANG ON !!!!!!! BZ
Lest we forget

I have to agree with you Navratilova that times are beginning to change as it  appears that veterans are going to see a change for the better. I am happy for all veterans who deserve better and hopefully will receive better. Not sure I would put a photo of Trudeau on my mantel but maybe one of the Navratilova! JK

Many of the promises the Liberal government made to the country's veterans in the last election and the last budget are about to be felt by the federal treasury.

Enhanced funding for a whole suite of benefits, including the earnings loss benefit and the permanent impairment allowance, will be increased.


http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/vets-lifetime-pensions-1.4030353

We have lots to be thankful for nothing will please everyone nor should it.
I sense that the governments both liberals and conservatives have somewhat tried. (more so the liberals)

( BTW I voted NDP )

I believe the direction for veterans is positive and is leading to the best veterans programs in the free world.(2010 comparison Canada was rated the best)

I am just Tired I guess and it is pleasant to feel some real Optimism .

We could be living in the USA under Trump!