Veterans Affairs Minister Erin O’Toole has announced a new $70,000 critical injury benefit for soldiers and veterans who have suffered a traumatic wound or illness.

O’Toole said the benefit -- which would be paid out in a lump sum -- is separate from the current disability award payment.

“It is a tax-free, immediate, personal payment in recognition of the pain, stress and hardship that comes in the days and weeks of recovery following a traumatic injury, such as an attack in theatre or as a serious training accident here at home,” O’Toole said Monday.

Case workers will proactively contact those who qualify for the new benefit.

With a fall election looming, the Conservatives have tried to disarm any criticism over the treatment of Canada’s veterans. Much of that criticism had been levelled against the previous Veterans Affairs minister, Julian Fantino, until Prime Minister Stephen Harper demoted him to a junior cabinet role last January.

O’Toole’s announcement Monday had a conciliatory tone, as he once again acknowledged “gaps” in the Veterans Charter.

He said he hoped the critical injury benefit will provide veterans and their families “some peace of mind and comfort.”

“I also hope it lets them know that we recognize that they deserve to be compensated for the stress and pain of recovery -- their surgeries, prolonged hospitalizations, and the challenges they face on their personal journey of recovery.”

In the weeks prior to Monday’s announcement, the government has promised to:

  • Expand benefits for reservists who are injured on Canadian soil, to match those provided to full-time Canadian Forces members;
     
  • Ensure amputees don’t have to repeatedly prove they have lost limbs in order to get compensation; and
     
  • Ensure veterans past the age of 65 will still receive at least 70 per cent of what they received before that age.

“Family is at the core of veterans’ wellness, and our department has charted a course of care compassion and respect for veterans and their families,” O’Toole said.

“We owe this to them. We owe them the peace of mind that comes with the knowledge that if they’re injured in their service to Canada, Canada will be there for them.”

But while the veterans’ ombudsman says there are roughly 1,600 severely injured veterans, many of them may not qualify for the new benefit.

Paul Franklin, who was a master corporal when he lost his legs in a 2006 roadside bombing in Kandahar, has had to prove to Veterans Affairs every year that he’s disabled in order to qualify for a wheelchair and other support.

While he praised O’Toole’s announcement, he is skeptical it will have a major impact.

“Sure, it’s great for the one per cent who have been involved in these traumatic events, but the problem is it doesn't cover the 99 per cent that have bad backs, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other injuries,” Franklin said.

Liberal critic for veterans affairs, Frank Valeriote, said the government is “throwing crumbs to a very few people, trying to leave the impression they're dealing with issues effectively in an election year, but they’re not.”

With a report from CTV’s Richard Madan