Veterans Affairs Canada: Military, RCMP veterans call for changes to department

Navy and RCMP veterans are calling for adjustments to Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) – a message that was made clear throughout a rally in Dartmouth, N.S., on Thursday.

“That is a few lack of management contained in the division and inside the authorities of Canada,” says veteran Dennis Manuge.

Prince Edward Island Member of Parliament Lawrence MacAulay turned Veterans Affairs Minister in 2019. Manuge says, in that point, entry to companies has declined for veterans.

“The minister has misplaced the arrogance of each veterans and his personal workers. It’s time for the minister to resign and step apart,” Manuge says.

These on the rally say, since 2007, they’ve been promised by the federal authorities that wait instances for bodily and psychological well being companies can be addressed. Rollie Lawless, who attended Thursday’s rally, says many are nonetheless struggling to entry the assistance they want.

“Advantages and companies are accessible however once more, when you’re within the system already, it’s not onerous. It’s these making an attempt to get into the system that appears to be the hiccup, the preliminary functions for the preliminary wait instances,” Lawless says.

A part of the blame is being placed on the privatization of veterans companies.

In July of 2021, the federal authorities awarded a multi-year contract to Lifemark Well being Group to supply rehabilitation and vocational help. A yr later, Lifemark was bought by Loblaws.

“By transferring companies over to Lifemark, implies that Lifemark has to make a revenue. Which means tens of millions and tens of millions of {dollars} that must be going into advantages for veterans will now be going into the non-public pocket of Galen Weston and his subsidiary firms,” says Peter Stoffer of the Veterans Authorized Help Fund.

Different issues embrace Veterans Affairs Canada employees providing medical assisted deaths to a minimum of 4 veterans and the unspent billions of {dollars} put aside for veterans’ companies.

“When you might have $2 billion since 2006 of lapse funding not spent and also you need to know why, you might have issues,” says Stoffer.

Issues which can be prompting this group of veterans to talk out.