Murray Brewster, The Canadian Press
Published Tuesday, May 12, 2015 10:15AM EDT
Last Updated Tuesday, May 12, 2015 1:22PM EDT
OTTAWA -- The Harper government has stuffed proposed improvements to veterans benefits into the omnibus budget bill, saying it needs to make sure it passes before the next election.
But the move could also silence opposition critics.
It's an unusual tactic, since Veteran Affairs Minister Erin O'Toole had already introduced separate legislation -- Bill C-58 -- to enact the changes, which include a new retirement benefit for severely disabled soldiers, a separate $70,000 injury award and a proposed $7,238 caregivers benefit, among other things.
A look at government legislation that has yet to pass the Commons
O'Toole told the House of Commons veterans committee that he doesn't trust the opposition to pass the bill before Parliament adjourns -- likely next month, with an election scheduled for October.
He pointed to an NDP motion, debated on Monday, which called on the government to recognize its social obligation to veterans and their families, as well as recent statements that the changes don't go far enough.
"It's clear you wanted to delay, and I won't allow a delay to happen when I've made a commitment to veterans," O'Toole said in an answer to a question by NDP veterans critic Peter Stoffer.
The bill was introduced in late March, but has yet to be brought before a Commons committee for detailed study, said Stoffer, who noted that his party actually "likes" the legislation.
"We in the opposition -- I cannot speak for the Liberals -- but we have never indicated a delay in Bill C-58. And to indicate that we have is simply not true," said Stoffer.
He said the effect of putting the changes into the massive budget bill is that veterans groups won't have a chance to comment before Parliament on the proposed changes.
The decision also jams opposition parties, which usually vote against budget bills. Additionally, it provides an opening for the Conservatives in the upcoming campaign to say that the Liberals and NDP voted against improved veterans benefits.
O'Toole's parliament secretary, Ontario Conservative MP Pierre Lemieux, said there's still a possiblity that portions of the budget bill affecting veterans would be open to public scrutiny and comment, but that decision would rest with the Commons finance committee.
Liberal veterans critic Frank Valeriote said he was skeptical that the stand-alone veterans legislation would make it all of the way through before Parliament dissolved, but suggested the government introduced it late in the process.
Since replacing Julian Fantino in January, O'Toole has had the monumental task of rebuilding bridges with the politically-important veterans community, which has grown increasingly outraged over a series of issues, including gaps in the veterans benefits system, regional office closures, and slights by the former minister.
Conservative MPs, who took turns lobbing friendly questions at him during Tuesday's committee meeting, repeatedly returned to the issue of under-spending in the department, which surfaced last fall.
Federal budget records show that since 2006, veterans affairs was unable to spend $1.13 billion of its budget, money that was subsequently returned to the federal treasury.
The revelation created a political firestorm, one that evidently still smarts as O'Toole responded to questions by saying the issue was used to deliberately "sow seeds of confusion" over what is a normal practice of government and emerges during a slow news cycle.
The government's defence -- then and now -- is that departments always appropriate extra funds so they don't run short, especially in service based departments like veterans.
With so many elderly veterans passing away, O'Toole said it's tough for the department to run projections.
"The estimate does not anticipate veterans passing away over the course of the cycle," he said. "We see most of the lapsed funds coming, sadly, when we're losing a large number of our World War Two and Korean veterans. In terms of lapsed funds, this is why."
Q3. What is the definition of a “sudden, single and traumatic event,” and why was that chosen?
A3. The phrase “sudden single and traumatic event” refers to one unexpected incident which resulted in severe and traumatic injuries. The defining factor is that the event was singular and the effect of it was immediate; it did not evolve over time.
This benefit was designed this way to respond in part to those Veterans/CAF members who experienced severe injuries, and endured prolonged periods of inpatient care and painful and recurrent procedures where their condition improved to the point they received minimal disability benefits.
The types of events/incidents contemplated for this benefit may include, but are not limited to IEDs, motor vehicle accidents, fires, falls, etc.
Here is an example of sudden service-related illness: If a soldier was in a rollover accident and he or she suffered a deep wound and broken bones, a severe infection could set in. That requires intensive care, surgeries or intubation to recover—this benefit is meant to recognize that struggle. It’s an immediate illness caused by a sudden incident.
Q9. Would there be a time limit to apply for this benefit?
A9. No. There would be no time limit to apply for this benefit.
Q10. Why would this benefit be retroactive to April 1, 2006, while the other new benefits announced (Retirement Income Security Benefit and Family Caregiver Relief Benefit) were not?
A10. This eligibility date was chosen to coincide with the date of the coming into force of the NVC. Doing so will address stakeholder requests for additional benefits for the most seriously injured under the NVC, and will recognize the high number of severe and traumatic injuries sustained by CAF personnel in the Afghanistan War following the introduction of the NVC.
Q11. How many people are projected to receive this benefit?
A11. It is estimated that more than 120 CAF personnel could receive this benefit by 2019-2020.
Q15. I am a Veteran in receipt of a disability award as a result of an amputation due to a critical injury. Would I have to submit an application since you have my information on file?
A15. As part of the Department’s continued commitment to Veteran-centric care, and in order to reduce wait times, where possible, Veterans Affairs Canada employees will proactively contact Veterans who have had severe service related injuries, to discuss this new benefit.
Once enacted in Parliament, if Veterans Affairs Canada has not contacted you and you think you may be eligible for this new benefit, do not hesitate to contact the Department at 1-866-522-2122 (1-866-522-2022 in French) to ask for more information.
Q6. Is this benefit available now?
A6. No, the benefit will be available once the regulations have passed.
Q7. Does a CAF member/Veteran who is already in receipt of a disability award as a result of an amputation due to a critical injury have to submit an application, since VAC already has the information on file?
A7. As part of the Department’s continued commitment to Veteran-centric care, and in order to reduce wait times, where possible, VAC employees will proactively contact CAF members/Veterans who have experienced a sudden, single incident on or after April 1, 2006 which immediately resulted in a service-related traumatic injury or disease causing severe impairment and interference with quality of life to discuss application requirements.
Q8. How will a CAF member/Veteran know if VAC is proactively determining if they meet the above stated eligibility requirements?
A8. They will receive a letter from the Department to let them know that VAC has reviewed their information and will be advised that they are entitled to this benefit. This letter will also advise them if additional information is required in order to proceed with an official decision.
Q9. I have received a letter from VAC saying that they are able to waive the requirement for me to apply and that after a review of my information I am entitled to this benefit. In order to receive this lump-sum award, it says to call this number and advise that I accept the offer to waive the application or send a message through My VAC Account (MVA). What do I do next?
A9. The next steps will depend upon how you wish to proceed. Please allow me to verify the information contained in your letter and we will determine the next steps from there