OTTAWA, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The findings in the recent Parliamentary Budget Officer Report, The cost differential between three regimes of Veterans Benefits, causes The Royal Canadian Legion great concern. The report indicates Veterans, specifically those most seriously ill and injured, will receive less financial compensation than is provided under the current Veterans Well-being Act.
The Legion has long said the most seriously ill and injured Veterans, those who are unable to work and whose quality of life has been drastically impacted, need the ability to lead a financially secure life, and to reintegrate into civilian life. It is those seriously ill and injured Veterans who are suffering the greatest under the current Veterans Well-being Act (previously New Veterans Charter), and whom, according to the report will find themselves again greatly disadvantaged financially if entering the system after April 1 under Pension for Life.
This contradicts the Canadian government promise that no Veteran would be worse off under Pension for Life. Our understanding was that Pension for Life would offer better and substantially more simplified suite of benefits and would not result in a reduction in financial compensation for anyone. While the Legion understands the report focuses solely on financial compensation and does not factor in the other suite of benefits to help both the Veteran and their family, we are discouraged the government has broken its promise, and alarmed that once again Veterans will receive less financial compensation.
About The Royal Canadian Legion
Founded in 1925, the Legion is Canada’s largest Veteran support and community service organization. We are a non-profit organization with a national reach across Canada as well as branches in the U.S., Europe and Mexico. With close to 260,000 members, many of whom volunteer an extraordinary amount of time to their branches, our strength is in our numbers.
Public Relations / Media Inquiries: PublicRelations@Legion.ca; 343-540-7604
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