Message from the Ombudsman (May 29, 2012)

Military Ombudsman Welcomes the End of the Clawback of Disability Benefits from Canada’s Veterans

I welcome the Government of Canada’s announcement today that it will accept the Federal Court decision of May 1, 2012 and put an end to the clawback of disability benefits from Canada’s veterans.
 

Our office identified this government policy as grossly unfair in 2003 and we have continued to push for its elimination since then.
 

Those who have suffered as a result of this policy – former Canadian Forces members who have had to retire as a result of their injuries – are the most disadvantaged of our veterans. They often suffer from serious psychological or physical injuries incurred while serving their country. And yet they have been penalized – in some cases, severely penalized – by rules that are unfair.
 

As the Government of Canada begins to work with veterans to find a satisfactory resolution, I call on the Minister of National Defence to fully rectify this fundamental unfairness by reimbursing injured Canadian veterans as soon as possible.
 

Pierre Daigle
Ombudsman