Federal NDP critic for veterans, Rachel Blaney, has stated that veterans ombudsman Craig Dalton’s resignation earlier this week reflects the current and past government’s treatment of veterans.
Blaney, MP for North Island-Powell River, is calling on the government to act on recommendations in Dalton’s final report, which highlights how the government is failing the most seriously injured and ill veterans.
“The veterans ombudsman is responsible for making sure veterans and their families get the support, services and benefits they need in a fair and timely way,” stated Blaney in a media release. “Mr. Dalton has worked tirelessly to help our veterans and now he’s leaving his position after only 18 months of a five-year appointment; it’s a huge loss.
Blaney stated that in his report, Dalton reveals that veterans with similar issues get different levels of support.
“Because there are three benefit regimes with different effective dates offering different suites of benefits, veterans in similar circumstances are not treated equitably,” wrote Dalton.
Blaney stated that it is beyond frustrating.
“The government has left veterans struggling with an unfair system that seems to randomly determine which benefits they get. And they don’t seem to feel much urgency to fix it,” added Blaney. “How can they defend this system?”
Blaney stated that given the issues revealed in the report, the veterans ombudsman should be reporting directly to parliament instead of the minister.
“Veterans need a system that’s simple, clear, and fair,” stated Blaney. “If veterans’ issues are going to be taken seriously, the ombudsman should be fully independent and able to bring them straight to parliament so all parties can discuss them openly.”
