D
Deleted member 585
Guest
http://www.newswire.ca/releases/June2003/11/c2040.html
OTTAWA, June 11 /CNW/ - The Minister of National Defence, the Honourable
John McCallum, today announced the introduction of legislation in the House of
Commons to permit the payment of lump-sum benefits for accidental
dismemberment suffered by Canadian Forces personnel in the past.
The new benefit complements the dismemberment insurance policy put into
place in February 2003 to meet the current and future needs of serving
members. Both programs provide for payments of up to $250,000 in case of
dismemberment attributable to military service for all Regular and Reserve
Force personnel below the rank of colonel.
Subject to certain limitations, former and serving members are eligible
for the new benefit if they suffered their injury on or after 1 October 1972
and before 13 February 2003. The legislation covers the following type of
injuries: loss of a hand, foot, or thumb and index finger on the same hand or
the loss of sight, hearing or speech. Benefits are non-taxable and will also
be payable to the estates of deceased members.
Generals and colonels have been entitled to lump-sum benefits for
dismemberment since the General Officers Insurance Plan (GOIP) was introduced
as part of the executive compensation package for senior ranks in the Regular
Force on 1 October 1972 and for the Reserve Force on 1 July 1994. Service-
related dismemberment benefits payable under the new legislation are
comparable to those in GOIP.
"I am personally delighted that this legislation has been introduced,"
said Minister McCallum. "We took a great step forward earlier this year with
the implementation of lump-sum coverage for dismemberment attributable to
military service for serving members from private to lieutenant-colonel.
However, it was clear we also needed to address the lack of coverage for our
personnel injured before February 2003. Passage of this legislation would
correct the discrepancy that has existed since the GOIP came into being."
"We need to take care of our people properly," said Chief of the Defence
Staff, General Ray Henault. "This includes a moral obligation to ensure that
all ranks receive similar coverage for injuries that they receive in the line
of duty and in the service of Canada."
"I am extremely supportive of this initiative by National Defence," said
The Honourable Dr. Rey D. Pagtakhan, Minister of Veterans Affairs. "It would
ensure that Veterans who suffered dismemberment would receive lump sum
benefits from National Defence equal to serving Forces members through DND‘s
insurance policy."
The new benefit would be administered and funded by the Department of
National Defence at an estimated cost of $26.3 million.
NR-03.059
Why the highly-paid ranks of General and Colonel have had this coverage exclusively for so long is beyond my comprehension. I agree with this Act, as NCMs are typically exposed to greater risks more frequently. They ultimately earn less while serving and after retirement than Gen. and Col. ranks -- making it difficult to overcome financial burdens associated with dismemberment.
OTTAWA, June 11 /CNW/ - The Minister of National Defence, the Honourable
John McCallum, today announced the introduction of legislation in the House of
Commons to permit the payment of lump-sum benefits for accidental
dismemberment suffered by Canadian Forces personnel in the past.
The new benefit complements the dismemberment insurance policy put into
place in February 2003 to meet the current and future needs of serving
members. Both programs provide for payments of up to $250,000 in case of
dismemberment attributable to military service for all Regular and Reserve
Force personnel below the rank of colonel.
Subject to certain limitations, former and serving members are eligible
for the new benefit if they suffered their injury on or after 1 October 1972
and before 13 February 2003. The legislation covers the following type of
injuries: loss of a hand, foot, or thumb and index finger on the same hand or
the loss of sight, hearing or speech. Benefits are non-taxable and will also
be payable to the estates of deceased members.
Generals and colonels have been entitled to lump-sum benefits for
dismemberment since the General Officers Insurance Plan (GOIP) was introduced
as part of the executive compensation package for senior ranks in the Regular
Force on 1 October 1972 and for the Reserve Force on 1 July 1994. Service-
related dismemberment benefits payable under the new legislation are
comparable to those in GOIP.
"I am personally delighted that this legislation has been introduced,"
said Minister McCallum. "We took a great step forward earlier this year with
the implementation of lump-sum coverage for dismemberment attributable to
military service for serving members from private to lieutenant-colonel.
However, it was clear we also needed to address the lack of coverage for our
personnel injured before February 2003. Passage of this legislation would
correct the discrepancy that has existed since the GOIP came into being."
"We need to take care of our people properly," said Chief of the Defence
Staff, General Ray Henault. "This includes a moral obligation to ensure that
all ranks receive similar coverage for injuries that they receive in the line
of duty and in the service of Canada."
"I am extremely supportive of this initiative by National Defence," said
The Honourable Dr. Rey D. Pagtakhan, Minister of Veterans Affairs. "It would
ensure that Veterans who suffered dismemberment would receive lump sum
benefits from National Defence equal to serving Forces members through DND‘s
insurance policy."
The new benefit would be administered and funded by the Department of
National Defence at an estimated cost of $26.3 million.
NR-03.059
Why the highly-paid ranks of General and Colonel have had this coverage exclusively for so long is beyond my comprehension. I agree with this Act, as NCMs are typically exposed to greater risks more frequently. They ultimately earn less while serving and after retirement than Gen. and Col. ranks -- making it difficult to overcome financial burdens associated with dismemberment.
