The Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act,1 better known as the “New Veterans Charter,” was assented to on 13 May 2005 and came into force on 1 April 2006. The Charter sets out a new benefit plan for injured, disabled and deceased veterans and provides for professional physical rehabilitation for veterans and their families. It supersedes the previous plan, which was governed by the Pension Act,2 the first version of which was passed in 1919.
The main objective of the Charter is to foster the social and vocational re‑establishment of veterans. The types of service available, the amounts of certain allowances and details of the eligibility requirements are specified in the Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Regulations.3
Exclusive of the definitions and transitional provisions, the Charter is divided into four parts:
Part 1: Career Transition Services;
Part 2: Rehabilitation Services, Vocational Assistance and Financial Benefits;
Part 3: Disability, Death and Detention, which includes a section on clothing allowances; and
Part 4: General.
This publication gives a brief overview of each of these parts ....
