Questions for Candidates

Sacred Obligation
 
Before the Battle of Vimy Ridge, France in 1917, Sir Robert Borden assured Canadian troops that they would be cared for by the Government after they returned to Canada. His promise has become known as the “Sacred Obligation” to our troops and veterans.
 
Do you believe that Canada has a “Sacred Obligation” to care for our troops, our veterans and their families?  

If no:  How do you justify putting Canadians in harm’s way on behalf of national interests?

If yes: If elected, will you actively work to ensure that the Government will issue a clear and legally binding statement based on the principle of the “Sacred Obligation” to care for our veterans and their families?

How will you do that?
 
Lump Sum Award (LSA)
 
The Lump Sum Award (up to $355,000 as of April 2014) is the one-time payment that disabled veteran can receive for pain and suffering.  It is a replacement for benefits under the Pension Act through the New Veteran’s Charter.  It has been shown to be unfair and is prejudicial against veterans after 2006.   Veterans receiving the Lump Sum Award receive less for their pain and suffering than they would have under the previous veteran’s “charter” i.e. the Pension Act.
 
Do you agree this is unfair?

If no: why not?

If yes and elected, will you actively work to ensure that our veterans will receive the same consideration as veterans from before 2006?
How will you do that?
 
Earnings Loss Benefit (ELB)
 
What is your position regarding the Earnings Loss Benefit to military members discharged due to injury?

If elected, will you actively work to ensure that the Earnings Loss Benefit, for seriously injured veterans and retired military, is 100% of their pre-release salary?  

If elected, will you actively work to ensure that the ELB keeps pace with current military salaries and takes into consideration career progression if the veteran had not been injured at work?
 
Vocational Rehabilitation and Education Programs
 
Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Veterans do not have access to lifetime vocational rehabilitation and education programs.
 
If elected, will you actively work to ensure that veterans be given life-time access to vocational rehabilitation and education?
 
Permanent Impairment Allowance and Supplement (PIA)
 
Veterans have consistently reported barriers to timely, sensible, and straight forward access to the Permanent Impairment Allowance and Supplement.

What is your position regarding the access veterans have to the Permanent Impairment 
Allowance and Supplement for disabled veterans?

If elected, will you actively work to ensure that the Permanent Impairment Allowance is granted automatically to the totally and Permanently Incapacitated Veteran according to their disability pension or award and that the Supplement be granted to those receiving the Exceptional Incapacity Allowance?
 
Spousal Funding for Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Veterans
 
This year (March 2015) the Government announced a Caregivers Allowance to a maximum of  $7,200 per year.    
Conservative:  How did the Conservative Government arrive at this number?

Others:  If elected would you actively work to ensure that this amount is fair and equitable ?  

How would you do that?
 
Childcare for Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Veterans
 
Who speaks for the children of Veterans today?  Many young veterans, those who served in Afghanistan for example, have children, who are the innocent victims impacted by income loss and family employment.  There is currently nothing to help veteran families with day care issues?  

If elected, will you actively work to ensure that Totally and Permanently Incapacitate Veterans receive adequate childcare benefits?  
 
Earnings Loss Benefit for Reservists (ELB)
 
Without Reservists, Canada would not be able to engage in overseas missions because they comprise a significant number of men and women who enlist to serve Canada. Unfortunately, although they do the same work and make the same commitment as Regular Force members, Reservists do not receive the same compensation if they are injured.
 
What is your position regarding the Earnings Loss Benefit to military reserve members 
discharged due to injury?

If elected, will you actively work to ensure that the Earnings Loss Benefit, for seriously injured reserve veterans is the same as Regular Force members and salaries as a significant justice issue?
 
Case Managers to Help Veterans
 
Approximately 900 Case Managers were fired from Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and the Government lapsed $1.13 billion dollars that should have been spent on veteran’s services and benefits.  The Government has promised to hire about 250 Case Managers to replace those that it fired admitting that it made a mistake in firing people who help our veterans.
 
If elected, will you actively work to ensure that VAC hires enough Case Managers to ensure that our veterans receive the help they need in a timely manner?
 
Veterans Affairs Offices 
 
In 2014, the government closed nine Veterans Affairs Offices across Canada to save about $3 million annually.  Service Canada offices have been an inadequate substitute as most veterans’ needs cannot be properly addressed without personalized service through accessible case managers.
 
If elected, will you actively work to ensure that the Veterans Affairs Offices are set up to respond effectively, timely and sensitively to the veteran and their families?

How will you do that?