Tensions over veterans charter remain as Canada marks Remembrance Day

Minister of Veterans Affairs Julian Fantino speaks with Royal Canadian Navy veteran Bill Black following a ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

As Canadians honour the men and women who have fought in past wars and those who are currently serving overseas on Remembrance Day, tensions remain high between Canada's veterans and the government.

Much of the frustration is over the New Veterans Charter, enacted in 2006, which critics say provides less support for those who have served in the military compared to previous generations.

"That needs to be rewritten completely because it does not look after our veterans, particularly over a long period of time," retired general Rick Hillier told CTV News on Monday.

Hillier, who commanded the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan, said while the government provides plenty of programs to help returning soldiers, frustrations remain over the New Veterans Charter.

The charter replaced a system that provided disabled veterans with a pension for life with one that offers a lump-sum payment of up to $276,000.

Hiller said the lump sum may seem to be a significant amount, “but a 22-year-old soldier who has lost both of his legs and is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder is still going to be without his legs 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 years from now.

"They’re still (going to be) suffering somewhat from PTSD and they're going to need support throughout that time. And the veterans charter does not do it."

The government has also come under fire following a couple of highly-publicized cases that saw soldiers who were injured in Afghanistan medically discharged from the military shortly before completing the 10 years they need to qualify for a pension.

Canada’s veterans ombudsman has said the current legislation is failing some of the most severely wounded and disabled soldiers.

In a recent report, Guy Parent found that hundreds of the most severely disabled veterans will take a financial hit after they turn 65 because they do not have military pensions and some of their charter benefits will end.

He also pointed out that more than 400 veterans are at risk of living out their retirement with insufficient income, and that number could rise as more veterans reach retirement age.

Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino said Monday the charter is a work in progress and acknowledged there are "issues" that need to be addressed.

"The charter is a living document, if you will. There have been many changes over the years since it came in back in 2006," Fantino said from the Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa.

He said the government will be undertaking a complete and comprehensive review of the document, and "adjustments" can be made.

"We're certainly looking at it with the intent to address some of the gaps and some of the issues that have surfaced," he added.