November 17, 2010

Ottawa - Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops – Thompson – Cariboo was pleased with today’s changes to the New Veterans Charter to significantly improve financial support for injured Canadian Forces members and Veterans.

If passed the Enhanced New Veterans Charter Act would :

• Establish a minimum pre-tax income of $40,000 a year for Veterans who can no longer work and for those who are in rehabilitation.
• Expand eligibility for monthly allowances for seriously injured Veterans (up to $1,609 per month, for life)
• Introduce an additional $1,000 monthly supplement to help our most seriously injured or ill Veterans.
• Create new options for Canadian Forces members and Veterans who would prefer to receive the existing lump sum Disability Award as either an annual payment over any number of years or as a combination of a partial lump-sum payment and annual instalments.

Veterans who receive a Disability Award will have the choice between: annual payments spread out over the number of years of their choice (with interest); part of the award as a lump-sum and the rest as annual payments over the number of years of their choice (with interest); or a single lump sum payment.  Furthermore, at any time, Veterans who so choose may change their minds and receive the remaining amount as a lump-sum payment.

“When I met with a number of Veterans back in August at the Legion in Kamloops, they unanimously raised concerns with the lump-sum disability award.  The changes today address this issue, and now offer a number of options for receiving the disability award,” said McLeod.  “With today’s new chapter in the Veterans Charter, we are making sure that our Veterans receiving the care, services and financial support they need and deserve”.