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Blog on VAC’s Lump Sum Survey

Ottawa - 23 August 2010

On August 20, 2010, a Toronto Star article “cited the department's own survey of disabled veterans that showed 69 per cent said they would prefer to get a lump-sum payment. The survey also found that 85 per cent said their lump-sum payment was well used and 71 per cent said they had invested some portion of the cash.” The Department has been using the results of this survey for the last three months as a confirmation that the New Veterans Charter lump sum payment is good policy.

What you need to know is that the question that was asked is not even relevant to the arguments over whether a Veteran is better served by the New Veterans Charter lump sum payment, and the other new programs, or by the monthly payment provided by the Pension Act. The question that was asked is whether you would prefer your lump sum payment, with the same dollar amount as a single payment or as payments over time? It didn’t consider that the dollar value of the Pension Act payments is higher. (See our linked observation for details.) The question was in fact asking if you had a New Veterans Charter lump sum payment would you rather receive it all at once or spread out over a lifetime? Of course the answer is going to be “I will take it now”. Wouldn’t you?

Then to add insult to injury, now that the Department is under some pressure to make changes to the Lump Sum payments, in the Toronto Star article, it is being suggested “Instead of getting one big payment, soldiers may soon be able to opt to have that money spread out over months and years. For example, a payment of $200,000 could be spread out with five annual payments of $40,000 each.” So now, a Veteran is going to lose the advantages of accrued interest over that timeframe. In trying to correct an already flawed program, the proposed solutions are compounding the problem.

If there is to be a debate on the lump sum payments, let it be open and transparent so that the true facts are discussed. Don’t obscure the results of a survey question that isn’t even relevant to the real issue we are hearing from our Veterans. Look at our facts and tell me if I am wrong.

Date Modified: 2010-08-30

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What can you do to help?

Ottawa - 20 August 2010

Since the news conference last week, the grass roots outpouring of support to fix the problems associated with providing Veterans with the necessary support they need has been overwhelming and encouraging. This is the same grass roots response that united Canadians to create the “Highway of Heros” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFmXKMki8sA , to have “Red Friday’s” http://www.redfridays.ca/ and to individually thank and support our service personnel. Canadians may not agree on why its sons and daughters are fighting in far off lands, but there is no lack of fervour when it comes to Canadians supporting its troops and their families. One only has to look at the public indignation that surfaced when it was proposed that Repatriation Ceremonies for our dead returning from Afghanistan not be made public or when it was revealed that paucity of Canadian Forces burial benefits did not meet current industry standards.

One of the questions that the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman is being asked frequently is: What can I do to help? There is no question that changes on how Veterans benefits are administered and what types of benefits are required are desperately needed. You have heard me rant about how difficult it is to push through any substantive change through the bureaucracy with its penny pinching insurance company-like culture. You have heard me condemn central agencies for impeding the progress of improving the support to Veterans. No matter what I say, the track record for getting substantive changes through the system from within the system is poor. This office and Veterans advocacy groups have been pushing various governments for years to improve support to Veterans and has had limited success. Because much of what is needed to be done is rooted in legislation, only Canada’s Members of Parliament and Senators can make those changes. The only way substantive change is going to occur is if Canada’s Parliamentarians realize that this issue is a significant and urgent issue for Canadians.

So what can you do? Get involved! Let your MP’s and Senators know how you feel. Write them, talk to them and make your views on how to support Veterans clearly known. Make them accountable. Did you know that Veterans themselves represent 3% of the voting population and when you add in the immediate family that percentage increases to over 10%? In some ridings, the majority of voters have direct involvement with Veterans. Do not underestimate the power that you have as an individual to make change through your parliamentarians. Our mothers and fathers, sons and daughters have sacrificed themselves and their families in service of their country so that you can have the freedom to choose the government and issues that need to be addressed. Our soldiers, sailors, air personnel and police have stood up for us; it is now time for us to stand up for them. Get involved and speak up! Let your parliamentarian know your viewpoint on Veterans.

Date Modified: 2010-08-30

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Dispelling the myths...

Ottawa - 19 August 2010

I would like to dispel some myths surrounding my campaign for change. I don't support the notion of moving VAC, I don't support the suggestion of reducing the size of VAC, I don't even support the assertion from our Stakeholders that civilian employees should be changed with Vets. I know people in the OVO would say there is a definite advantage of having Veterans around, but I would argue that Veterans are experts at following orders. What must change immediately are the policies and practices that disadvantage our Veterans and their families. I know for a fact that a huge number of VAC and VRAB staff are frustrated with the way they have to treat Veterans -- they tell me as much! I would appreciate it if you would speak out to your management, just like our Vets speak out to me and to the media, but I know what it is like to put your livelihood on the line. Until we get substantive change in the policies and procedures, just keep trying to do your best for our Vets and their families and giving them the Benefit of any doubt you might have that they are deserving of what they ask you for. Thanks for helping me change the treatment of those people who have made huge sacrifices for our Country. P@ (Pat)

Date Modified: 2010-08-19

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Putting a face to Veterans Issues...

Ottawa - 17 August 2010

My purpose with this blog is not to talk about the Government’s intent not to renew me as our Veterans Ombudsman. It was the Government’s prerogative to let me go, and I will leave that to the Government to explain to the Canadian people. Instead, what I would like to do is to expose to Canadians what I perceive as a system that for a long time has denied Veterans not just what they deserve, but what they earned with their blood and sacrifice. Indications are that this is not a recent phenomena, it is a long-standing and deeply rooted practice.

The depth and breadth of the unfair practices and policies that I have witnessed is so extensive that we have barely been able to scratch the surface. After a mere two years and nine months we have been confronted with the tasks of: staffing the office, identifying the ways that our Veterans are being unfairly treated and developing doctrines and protocols to redress them, all the while being impeded by a bureaucracy that was deliberately obstructive and deceptive. Let there be no doubt that replacing the Veterans Ombudsman at this point in time will clearly set the Office back many, many months.

Despite being promoted as an ombudsman that would operate at arm’s length from Government, it is clear to me that the Government expected the Veterans Ombudsman to behave as a complaints manager responsible to the Department. Is it a surprise to anybody that the Veterans Ombudsman would speak out on behalf of our Veterans and their families? Is it any wonder that the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman would be critical of the way the Government is treating our Veterans?

As a soldier, it is my nature to accept at face value the sincerity of my Government and to carry out the job I am asked to do in good faith to the best of my ability. Our Veterans have done likewise, and members of the CF and RCMP are continuing to do so now in Afghanistan. They and their families have looked to me to represent them, and represent them I have. It is beyond my comprehension how the system could knowingly deny so many of our Veterans the services and benefits that the people and Government of Canada recognized a long, long time ago as being their obligation to provide.

I have spent the last three years traveling across Canada, meeting with Veterans and their families to truly understand their plight. To you all, I pledge that in the final three months of my term as your Ombudsman I will do my very best to ensure that all Canadians know how badly so many of you are being treated. To all Canadians, these are your Sons and Daughters, your Brothers and Sisters. The time is now for you to do something about it. Make sure this Government understands that this must stop. Write letters to newspapers and politicians, make posts on the Internet, and stand up and speak out for our Veterans and their families. They’ve done as much for you. P@t (Pat)

Date Modified: 2010-08-17

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Principles of “insurance” and “compensation” vs. “insurance company” mentality…

Ottawa - 19 July 2010

I recently read a letter from a VAC senior official that referred to the "principle of insurance" and the "principle of compensation" in describing why the system denied a Veteran of an entitlement.

What seems to be missing from any official correspondence anywhere is the principle of honouring Veterans by generously providing benefits without stripping the dignity of those who have sacrificed themselves unconditionally for their country. Does anyone have any idea of what the employees of Private Military Companies are paid to serve in dangerous areas such as Afghanistan? That is a rhetorical question, but it goes without saying that they are paid a damn-site more than any of our CF or RCMP personnel are! They are paid a handsome per diem because the danger associated with the work justifies it and there is not much expectation of longevity of employment, much less a career. CF and RCMP members on the other hand, can often struggle just to get insurance because what insurance company in their right mind would cover a person who is silly enough to put themselves into harm’s way, not in the pursuit of wealth and resources but for an ideal, or an ideal adopted by a nation's government?

VAC is not an insurance company, any more than the service personnel who apply for benefits from them are "claimants". There is a reason why legislation refers to them as "applicants", and that is because the people and the Government of Canada have undertaken to do whatever they can to fulfill their obligation to their Veterans and their dependants who have served their Country so well!

These principles of "insurance" and "compensation" are ideals that we want to embrace. What shouldn’t be embraced is the penny pinching “insurance company” mentality of senior bureaucrats and central agencies who have narrowly interpreted the law in a manner that does not reflect the spirit of the legislation. Just read the pre-ambles to the Pension Act, the VRAB Act, and the War Veterans Allowance Act that talk about liberal interpretation of legislation and you will see what I mean. Just like their counterparts in the Public Service, members of the Canadian Forces and RCMP join for a fulfilling career in the service of our country. Unlike their colleagues in the Public Service, however, CF and RCMP members are compelled BY LAW to disadvantage their families and place themselves into harm's way at the bequeath of the people and the Government of Canada. So if their lives or careers are tragically cut short in doing so, there is not a public servant in this country who should limit the recognized obligation of the people and the Government of Canada by espousing the private insurance sector’s mentality; especially when the law directs Veterans benefits to be administered generously. I don't think you will be seeing that one any time soon in official correspondence of VAC.

Take care, all!

Date Modified: 2010-07-19

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Accountability—Priority One

Ottawa — 13 July 2010

The other day I was interviewed by national radio talk show host Roy Green. Since then, I've seen the transcript of a subsequent interview he did with Laurie Hawn, MP, during which Mr. Green described me as "angry" about the way some of our Veterans are being treated by the "Harper Government".

I would like to clarify a couple of things. First, nobody should mistake my passion and determination to fix systemic problems that cheat some of our Veterans out of what they are entitled to for anger. I am still optimistic that we can right the wrongs. Anger will follow if the people who are responsible step away from the recognized obligation of the people and the Government of Canada to look after our Veterans and their dependents who sacrifice so much for our country.

Second, at no time have I ever suggested that the source of the systemic problems is "the Harper Government". To the contrary, in fact, I have made it quite clear numerous times, including the interview with Mr. Green, that the systemic problems that are the main effort of the OVO right now ARE NOT caused by our present elected officials. That's the media, however. The issues that I am currently seized of that treat many Veterans so unfairly have existed for several successive governments of both major parties. There has just never been an Ombudsman before who could give the system the Red Card it deserves. [Do you think I am into the World Cup?]

For the majority of Veterans, applications for benefits are approved in a fair and timely fashion [at least, that is what VAC tells me]. My experience tells me that those must be the cases that are quite straight forward in the first place and fit neatly into the eligibility grids. The sad irony is that many of the Veterans being unfairly treated by the system also seem to be suffering some of the greatest hardships. I don't know if that is a chicken-and-egg phenomenon, but what I do know is that if the system was functioning the way legislation intended, many of the hardship cases that we come across would never have existed in the first place.

I will admit that our elected officials are ultimately responsible for the way the system treats our Veterans. However, the system that supports them has to be accountable for the advice they provide our elected officials and stewardship they offer to the programmes and benefits that serve our Veterans. That is what I see as my job: to hold accountable the system that supports our elected officials and I am determined to make that accountability public. However, it is up to the people of Canada, not the OVO, to hold our elected officials accountable for what is done to correct those systemic problems after we identify them.

Our stake-holders will be hearing a lot more soon about the systemic problems we have identified. Stay tuned!
P@

Date Modified: 2010-07-13

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Principles for the New Veterans Charter Review…

Ottawa - 9 June 2010

Hey, it’s me again! As many of you will know a lot of attention is now being paid to the New Veterans Charter (NVC), attention that is long overdue. The VAC Advisory Committee recently submitted it's final report on recommendations to fix the NVC, and other advocacy groups have also offered a myriad of their own to the mix. The Office of the Veterans Ombudsman, however, will not be getting involved at this point in time with our own set of recommendations, and there are a couple of reasons for this. First, I am satisfied that a lot of good people have done a great deal of work on trouble shooting the Charter already so there is no need for us to duplicate these efforts. Moreover, if we are later called upon to critique the process or outcomes of the review we cannot risk our future impartiality by being a party to the deliberations right now.

Having said this, it would be remiss of us to do nothing because the Charter is such an important piece of legislation for our Veterans and their families and will affect them for decades to come. I have therefore offered some recommended principles upon which the review of the NVC should be based.

First, we have to get on with it now. When the Charter was fast-tracked through Parliament it was recognized that the legislation would have some flaws. The Veterans Community was promised that it would be living legislation, and that it would be under continual review. Four years have passed now, and we have only just started to review it.

Secondly, the review must be comprehensive. The programs contained in the legislation have been described to me as being holistic, suggesting that it would be unfair to criticize one part of the law (e.g. Lump-Sum Award) because of other parts impact on it. I accept this, but it suggests that any amendments must be equally holistic.

I have also asserted to anyone who will listen that the review must be transparent. One of the most common complaints I have heard relates to VAC’s claim of an inclusive process within the Veterans Community in bringing in the Charter into being. The OVO’s contribution to the process is going to be as inclusive and transparent as I can possibly make it. We already embarked on a Town Hall blitz, to promote our contribution to the NVC review and to hear from Veterans! It is my intention to publish a report that will lay out the principles that should be used to assess the efficacy of the NVC and recommended amendments. We also made a commitment to offer a draft of our report to the Veterans Community for comment before the report is finalized.

Applauding Outward Bound Canada’s Programs for Veterans…

Ottawa - 2 June 2010

I would like to introduce everyone to one my sources of inspiration in the Veterans Community. His name Shaun Arntsen, and we soldiered together in 3PPCLI back in the day. Shaun took his release and settled in Alberta where he joined his local Legion and is now the Sgt-At-Arms. I think all Veterans must become engaged with anyone of the established associations that advocates on their behalf. He had an idea of something that might help Veterans deal with Operational Stress Injuries, pitched it to the Legion and Outward Bound! They bought in and below is information on Outward Bound’s Veterans Programs, testimonials, and how you can find out more. Before I hand you over to Shaun, I would like to congratulate him on his success, demonstrating the vision and perseverance of a true leader that is so rare today. This program characterizes what soldiering is all about Mission, Buddy, Self and I am absolutely convinced that it has a great deal of potential in terms of helping any Veteran make a successful transition to life as a civilian, although Shaun’s initiative is focused on those suffering from an OSI. If my memory serves me, I think Shaun said that the famous Outward Bound program was actually started by Veterans of WWII. Go figure!

In my opinion, Shaun’s Outward Bound/RCL Legion initiative, which has a huge Inward Bound aspect to it, ranks right up there with the Soldier On program. To get more information on this initiative, contact Shaun Arntsen, visit Outward Bound’s face book presence, or website:

Outward Bound Canada for Veterans:

Email: shaun.arntsen@gmail.com

Toll Free: 1-877-687-6228

Direct Phone: 403) 609-7096

Facebook Friend Page: http://www.facebook.com/OBCVETS

Veteran’s Programs, Outward Bound Website:

I hope to participate soon! Want to join me?

P@ (Pat)

Below are some testimonials from Shaun’s last course:

Like many soldiers across the ages, my service has not only left physical scars but also deep mental scars that have taken me to the very edge more than once. The Outward Bound Veterans program was first made aware to me from staff members at the OSI as way of helping me prepare for my forthcoming trauma treatment. Like many veterans, I am a shadow of what I was once and worried that I wouldn’t be up to such a task, either physically or mentally.

The trip in was truly epic and pushed everyone harder than they ever imagined. The Outward Bound staff was incredible and not only showed a level knowledge that made all of the veterans feel comfortable, but also showed genuine care and concern about everyone on the journey. The trip in raised emotions and raised doubts amongst many as to whether we were all up to the task, but this only increased the experience and the sense of elation when we all safely arrived at the Peyto hut.

Over the next few days a group of strangers not only became friends but also bonded on a level that few had experience since leaving the military. We had time to reflect and grow in one of the most fantastic learning environments possible, many people were out of their comfort zone but I believe the care and direction provided by the staff helped everyone in their own personnel journeys. People talked openly and smiled more than most had in years including myself. In addition to the life lessons we were all learning, we learned many new skills from some of the kindest most knowledgeable experts that I have come across in many years.

For me this has truly been a life changing experience and I now feel ready to face my treatment over the next few months with and increased sense of being and self worth. I found part of the person I used to be up on the glacier and I know that this experience will live with me for the rest of my life. I have made friends that I believe will last, and have learned more than I ever dreamed possible in such a short period of time. I feel very lucky for having the opportunity provided by the Outward Bound Veterans program and I hope in the future I will be able to give something back to this fantastic and life changing program.

Mike Burgess Cpl retired

I went to Canmore with the Outward Bound Canada Veterans program to challenge myself and see some old friends. At Peyto hut I got the chance to breathe deep and share the experience with people that know me and where I am coming from.

Francis McCann Cpl retired (3 PPCLI)

Date Modified: 2010-06-02

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A Call to Action...

Ottawa - 1 April 2010

A lot has happened since my last post. First, the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman is putting together the systems and processes for Public Consultation to help push our efforts to the next level. What you see on the Public Consultation website now is only the tip of the iceberg. And, we need your help. If you have been fighting Veterans issues for some time now, we want you to hear from you. We encourage you to share what you have found with us through our Public Consultation website.

We recently hosted a Panel Discussion on Caring for Canada’s Veterans: Traditional Issues and 21st Century Challenges. We were privileged to have Dr. Ralston Saul, historian, philosopher and noted author, Wolfgang Zimmerman, expert in Disability Rehabilitation, Darragh Mogan, Director General of Policy and Research at Veterans Affairs Canada, and Brigadier-General (ret’d) Joe Sharpe. We had a huge response from the ether and I have to say I learned a lot from the panelists. From my perspective, it is worthwhile to have more of these discussions and I would appreciate any suggestions you may have for future panel discussions and / or panelists. To provide your suggestions, contact us.

We have also increased the tempo of our Town Halls over the past couple of months. These Town Halls were focused on the New Veterans Charter but, that’s not too say that a myriad of Veterans issues didn’t come up. I encourage you to read the Summaries from these Town Halls. At the end of this push I am hoping we will be able to describe the needs and expectations of Veterans as well as, best practices and lessons learned in helping Veterans. My aim is to contribute in a meaningful way to the people who are fixing the New Veterans Charter. Stay tuned...

P@ (Pat)

Date Modified: 2010-06-09

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Prevention of Operational Stress Injuries...

Ottawa - 29 March 2010

I have a very important clarification. As many of you know, I have been anything but quiet in my assertion that the Canadian Forces must place much more effort into operational stress inoculation and management. Many so-called experts in the field that discard this idea are out of hand, so I have made reference to the known phenomena of "desensitization" as one of justifications behind my assertion.

I also have referred to the work done by Lieutenant Colonel Grossman, whose theories have been broadly criticized by so-called experts. I guess that got the ire up of some people. One person, apparently a Veteran, wrote me asking if I was mad, pointing out that Grossman has also been critical of violent entertainment because it desensitizes our youth and turns them into school killers. This person asked me if I had any idea of what really happens over there [in Afghanistan], and described seeing firsthand violence-loving adrenaline junkies committing war crimes and violence against civilians. This person attributed the desensitization of these “violence-loving adrenaline junkies” to American propaganda and the internet.

Holy cow, I am not suggesting that the military should replace their training system with Schwarzenegger movies and point-and-shoot video games!

Continuous, long-term realistic training that is coupled with stress management techniques that complement the military culture and routine must be mandated and controlled by the chain of command and monitored, measured and modified by the medical system.

Grossman has inoculation theories of his own, and suggests that a disciplined, military approach to such training does not a mass murderer make. Moreover, there are studies that suggest desensitizing youth to violence does not in itself create mass murderers - there are all sorts of other negative stimuli and influences that cause a young person to actually want to hurt somebody.

I remain committed to monitor how stress casualties are treated once they enter the Veterans Community, and not enough can be done to help them. However, the best approach is to find ways to prevent stress casualties in the first place. This is too important of a Force Protection issue, with risk that is easily mitigated and huge potential benefit, that it just cannot be ignored!

P@ (Pat)

Date Modified: 2010-03-29

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Remembering John Babcock...

Ottawa - 23 February 2010

It is with great sorrow that I write this entry following the announcement of the passing of our last Veteran of the First World War, John Babcock.

One of the first things I did as Canada’s Veterans Ombudsman was to go to Spokane, Washington to visit John and his wife Dorothy. Despite all of the attention they were receiving due to John’s notoriety at being the last surviving Veteran of service in the Great War, the Babcocks were very gracious in welcoming both Louise and I into their home. John told us some wonderful stories of growing up in the Kingston, Ontario area and signing up and serving in the First World War and then transitioning back to civilian life. I am very privileged to have been able to meet John - a symbol of the era that laid the groundwork for the "kinder, gentler" Canada we enjoy today.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of John. May he rest in peace.

Date Modified: 2010-02-23