The New Veterans Charter was developed
in hopes of creating a more complete approach to helping our men and women
injured in the line of duty. The first 4 points are: (VAC, 2011)
- It is about providing Veterans with the help
they need, for as long as they need it. And it is never too late for Veterans
to get that help.
- No amount of money can compensate for a
life-altering injury or illness; however, the New Veterans Charter offers real
hope.
- It provides financial security for as long as
Veterans are unable to be gainfully employed, and it offers the programs that
injured and ill Veterans need to lead more healthy, rewarding and independent
lives.
- Those who are the most injured get the most
help.
Many blame the New Veterans Charter for starting the trouble with their pension plans. The Charter came into effect in 2006 and created a pension system that some vets have called "a national disgrace." Before the Charter, soldiers who had been disabled in service were entitled to a monthly disability pension for the rest of their lives. The Charter scrapped that in favour of a one-time disability award.
In Budget 2007, the Government of
Canada recognized the growing number of injuries developing and committed $9
million toward doubling Veterans Affairs Canada’s network (VAC, 2011). The
Government of Canada also committed $1 million to hire eight peer-support
counselors to assist families. The number of Veterans identified with
operational stress injuries has jumped to 13,000 men and women, from just 2,000
barely a decade ago; which means that the little improvements that have been
made are just not enough to fulfill the need.(VAC, 2011)
Military pensions were created by
melding existing government pension plans with the introduction of Canadian
Pension Plan in 1966. The decision was made NOT to stack the two pensions, and
therefore to keep employee pension contributions low. Because of this, Canadian
Forces members are receiving incomes consistent with what they paid into their
pension plans. Veterans Affairs Minister Steven Blaney says the government plans
to pump in $2 billion to improve the benefits of injured war veterans. But
critics say it could take more than 50 years to spend that money -- and much of
that new money could be eroded in upcoming cuts to Veterans Affairs. (Mulholland,
2011)
Veterans expect to come home to
money and support from their government yet problems with pension payments
happen, leading to unsatisfied veterans and unsatisfied physical and financial
needs. The veteran’s charter was created in the best interest of not only the
individuals collecting pension but those who come home from service injured,
yet they’re seeing cutbacks and only minor increase in help programs for
veterans.
By-Marquise
Vetran Affairs Canada. Vetran Affairs Canada. Canada, 10
Jan. 2011. Web. 9 Dec. 2012. Path: http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/department/facts-fait/post-traumatic.
Mulholland, A. "Veterans still angry over pensions,
budget cuts." CTV News. N.p., 10 Nov. 2011. Web. 9 Dec. 2012. Path: http://www.ctvnews.ca/veterans-still-angry-over-pensions-budget-cuts-1.723266.
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ReplyDeleteI think that is horrible that the veteran's pensions are getting cutback when they return home from war. Veterans are the people risking their lives so that we can live comfortably and in freedom. They have put their families and lives on hold to fight, they deserve every cent that their were promised from their pension. After fighting in the war many veterans are not able to go and start a new job due to emotional/ physical issues, therefore they depend on the money from their pensions to survive, and provide for their families.
ReplyDeleteIf veteran's pension cuts continued to increase, then less people will consider joining military services, which will result in less people fighting for our freedom. Veteran pension cuts are creating a HUGE problem for the future and
MUST be overlooked and reevaluated.
-Lindsay
I can't believe they are cutting back on veterans pensions, these are the people who put their lives at risk for us everyday, and if it wasn't for them we would not be here.
ReplyDeleteVeterans deserve to be taken care of after returning from war no matter how old they are, they deserve to live as comfortable as possible I mean after all they did put their life on hold for us so that we could have freedom.
Karlie
You make such good points here. Our veterans sacrifice so much for their country, but they are repaid with an insulting amount of compensation. How little they receive is disgraceful. While I was reading the motives of the new veteran's charter, I was wondering what they meant by "gainful employment". How can they judge whether a veteran is able to work or not? Just because they may be in a healthy physical condition, doesn't mean that they are mentally. My uncle has been in the Canadian military for over 20 years. He has a high ranking and has served countless tours. He has been fortunate enough to never be inured, but he carries many emotional injuries with him. He gets terrible nightmares about what happened while he was overseas and I can only imagine how difficult it must be for him to get through the days. Many men and women hide severe PTSD symptoms because they are not ready to talk about their problems and people tell them that they should be working, which is very unfair. I feel that we should return to our previous ways of paying our veterans back so that they are better able to provide for themselves and their families and have a sense that their country cares about them.
ReplyDelete-Morgan ^^
ReplyDeleteI found this blog to be informative as I had no idea that this was occurring. I think what is happening to the veteran's pensions is very sad, and it just does not seem right. These men and women sacrifice their lives for our country, you would think the government would want to reciprocate in ensuring that these men and women are receiving the right amount of compensation. It is in my opinion that the government should be bending over backwards for these people, if it were not for them this country may not exist as it does today.
ReplyDeleteAlissa B- mental illness group
I found your blog topic very informative and interesting. I had no idea that this social issue was included in the tax cuts. I find this very inappropriate especially when our veterans put their lives on the line so that our country can live in freedom at the expense of veterans.
ReplyDeleteAllison