Let’s make veteran wellness a permanent federal priority
Veterans Week is a time of commemoration and reflection. And with Parliament set to resume in just weeks, it’s time to reflect on what’s needed to meet veterans’ needs. Unfortunately, no matter which political party is in power, veterans have had a long list of valid complaints concerning how the federal government treats them after […]
NDP’s new slate of critics comes online
On Oct. 29, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh announced the new set of critics and roles that the NDP MPs will be taking on in the coming parliamentary session. This lineup sees women in critical critic roles like environment and climate change, foreign affairs, national defence, and Indigenous services, with new MPs taking on core duties. “Canadians […]
Election 2021: what will the parties sacrifice for veterans?
OTTAWA—Typically, the sacrifice of Canadian veterans has been invoked on Remembrance Day and sometimes during an election. Far less frequent is remembering the other side of that bargain: what we owe veterans for defending our much-admired democracy. For the fourth straight election, substantive commitments to veterans and their families are included in the three big […]
Motorcycle cavalcade rolls through Canada in recognition of PTSD
The Rolling Barrage, a motorcycle group consisting of veterans, first responders, and ordinary Canadians, made a stop by Parliament Hill’s Centennial Flame on Aug. 8 as part of a charity ride recognizing and commemorating those within their ranks who have lost their battle with post-traumatic stress disorder. Conservative MP Todd Doherty addressed the group in a Twitter […]
With U.S. departure, no one left to clean up mess made in Afghanistan
OTTAWA—Over the past few weeks, the news out of Afghanistan has not been very reassuring. In keeping with U.S. President Joe Biden’s election campaign promise to end the war in Afghanistan, American troop withdrawals have begun in earnest. On July 2, in one of the most dramatic and farcical moves to date, the U.S. military […]
Help is on the way for veteran caregivers
The House Veterans Affairs Committee recently released its report on veteran caregivers entitled, “Caregivers: Taking Care of Those who Care for Veterans” and forwarded it to the House for Parliament’s consideration. It is noteworthy that the committee report provides a comprehensive review of all family and caregiver benefits presently found in Canadian veterans’ legislation, and […]
New interfaith caucus spreading the good words through personal connection
Courts have inferred over the years that there should be state neutrality in matters of religion and a feeling of separation of church and state, but that doesn’t mean faith is any less important to MPs. Learning about religion then, through personal relationships, is one part of the reasoning behind the parliamentary all-party interfaith caucus […]
Veterans’ benefit backlog requires a bold and creative solution
The National Council of Veteran Associations in Canada believes that substantial progress and indeed, a potential breakthrough, is becoming attainable with our crusade to compel Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) to take innovative and creative steps to alleviate the unacceptable backlog and turnaround times for veterans’ disability claims. The House Veterans Affairs Committee issued its highly […]
Suffering from PTSD should not be a literal ‘get out of jail free’ card
OTTAWA—Last week, yet another disturbing story surfaced regarding the military and sexual misconduct. A retired Special Forces major told the CBC that he felt betrayed when senior military leaders provided glowing character references to the fellow soldier who was convicted of sexually assaulting his wife. The incident occurred in 2017 following the conviction of Major […]
MacAulay says ‘progress’ being made cutting veterans’ benefit backlog amid COVID-19
Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay reiterated Monday that there are encouraging signs his department is headed in “the right direction” on its goal of bringing the backlog of veterans’ applications for disability benefits “under control” by 2022. Testifying before the House Veterans Affairs Committee Monday, Mr. MacAulay (Cardigan, P.E.I) said he is “confident” that will […]
