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ADVOCATE REPORT # 4

Advocacy issues have arisen since the last BOD meeting on the 25 Sep 09 and in particular the issue of the Veterans Independence Program (VIP) as it pertains to the Canadian Military. I recognize this is an urgent matter for former members of the Force who have disabilities and may qualify. I have requested all issues pertaining to our pensions with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) be discussed.

On 25 Sep 09 I met with Veterans Affairs Minister, the Honourable Greg Thompson in his constituency Office in St. Stephen, NB. At that meeting I emphasized the need for the VIP program and asked for his support when it reached Cabinet.

The demographics of the RCMP Veterans were addressed as well as communication, or lack of it, with VAC. The need for enhanced assistance with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) and Operational Stress Injuries and (OSSIS) clinics was requested. Additionally I requested more and better representation by the RCMP Veterans Association (RCMPVA) on Committees where our benefits were discussed, specifically the Veterans Review and Appeal Board (VRAB) and other VAC committees dealing with RCMP Veteran issues.

Minister Thompson was sympathetic to our cause and felt a need to have RCMP Veteran representation on committees as well as the VRAB. He was unaware of the number of former and retired members of the RCMP who would be potential clients, which I was able to address.

He suggested a meeting of RCMP Veterans, RCMP and members of VAC. This meeting took place at Minister Thompson’s Office on 8 Nov 09 in the East Block of Parliament Hill. Present were-Minister Thompson and his Executive Officer, VAC Legal Affairs Chair and her Assistant, D/Commissioner Peter Martin CHRO of the Force and from the Veterans Association Cal Small, Director, Board of Directors and Chair Benefits Committee, Dale Lively, National Advocate and Bill Gidley, Executive Director of the Association.

D/C Peter Martin suggested the meeting might have been scheduled prematurely as several of the points were to have be discussed by himself and Senior Assistant Deputy Minister Brian Ferguson of VAC in the coming weeks. We were able to bring up all the points previously mentioned and again the Minister was asked to support the VIP package that the RCMP was taking to Cabinet via Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan. When discussion arose over our perceived lack of understanding of the Force and its veterans by VAC, the Minister assured us this was the purpose of the meeting to broaden their understanding of the needs of RCMP Veterans. He also pledged to look into RCMPVA members and RCMP Members representation on Boards and committees. I certainly felt we were well received and got a sympathetic ear.

Subsequent to this, D/C Peter Martin advised he and members of the Force were going to Charlottetown PEI to meet with senior VAC official and invited the 3 members of the RCMPVA to attend at the Force’s expense.

CHRO D/C Peter Martin, Inspectors Rich Boughen, Eric Simard and Parker Kennedy along with S/Sgt. Murray Brown, SRR Health Services Chair, represented the Force along with the three of us from the Association.

Senior ADM, Brian Ferguson, of VAC and a large contingent of VAC personnel welcomed us. The topics discussed were – Strategic Advisory, Policy, Programs and partnerships, program management, Contract Administration, Disability programs, Bureau of Pensions Advocates, Policy and Research and Communications. Personnel from each of these departments noted outlined their responsibilities, how cases were handled, Advocacy, Appeals Committees and the VRAB. There was full and open discussion with all participants and I felt there was a sincere effort to listen with empathy to our concerns. We learned 5% of the VAC caseload comes from serving or former members of the RCMP. Our message to them was clear – “don’t lose sight of us as clients”.

I felt we left the meeting with the following assurances:

  • More and better communication with VAC

  • Training in handling disability claims for the RCMPVA members in their applications by members of VAC across Canada

  • An opportunity to apply for seats on the VRAB and appointments to Committees affecting our retired and former members

  • An article in “Salute” magazine – a publication of VAC – concerning the RCMP and its veterans. A photo op of participants was taken to accompany such an article

  • A VAC-RCMP – 2009-2010 Joint Priorities Document was signed by D/C Peter Martin, RCMP and Deputy Ministers Brian Ferguson and Keith Hillier of Veterans Affairs Canada.

I felt the meeting was a valuable educational experience for us all. Obviously the RCMP VA must work closely with the Force, and in particular with the Office of the CHRO to ensure the issues discussed become priorities leading to policy. If we follow up on our quest for enhanced disability claims, assisted by trained members, this will soon lead to a VIP program for our disabled veterans and quicker response times to our needs in other areas as well.

I will continue to monitor these developments closely.

 

Dale Lively, National Advocate