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Royal Canadian Mounted Police
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ADVOCATE REPORT – APRIL 2010
Spring 2010 is here. I received a mountain of mail hundreds of e-mails and the phone started ringing when I walked in the door. SO much for winter vacation.
I have followed up with the Ombudsman’s office seeking advocacy on the claw back issue with the Great West Life Disability plan serving members carry. This particular case referred to a serving member recently transferred to New Brunswick soon to be discharged as disabled. Upon receiving Veterans Affairs pension and compensation - Great West Life clawed back their benefit. I know of members over the years who have wrestled with this same problem to no avail. Obviously the Ombudsman feels this is a matter deserving both serving members and retired members’ attention. I am attempting to have dialogue with the SRR’s as they have been working on the same file. Obviously all parties should be engaged in this with Great West Life. Cal Small, Director, Insurance and I will be meeting soon in Ottawa to discuss our strategy.
The Royal Canadian Legion has offered the Association 3 positions on their “Basic Service Officer Training Course” being held in Ottawa on 27, 28 & 29 April. I will be attending with Bob Kell, Calgary Division and Fred Lyle, Ottawa Division. The course is designed to assist disabled members submit claims to Veterans Affairs. This is one of the most pressing matters in the Association.
A member recently brought to my attention the fact members who joined the Force prior to 1949 under the “old” pension plan were denied the opportunity to contribute to the Canada Pension Plan. As the result – if they didn’t become employed after they retired – they were not entitled to CPP. This will involve some research in the months ahead.
A member recently received the print out from Morneau Sobeco. He realized there was a mistake in the beneficiaries shown on the form and set out to correct the matter. He submitted the correct – he thought – form to the RCMP Compensation Branch. It turns out he ticked off a wrong box and now has to “appeal” his submission. What seemed like a simple matter has become complicated. An attempt is being made to have the matter rectified to his satisfaction.
Advocates in the Divisions report problems in dealing with cases from time to time. Many of them are related to VAC rulings and submissions to VAC. There is lots of work coupled with education required to have a successful advocacy program.
It is my intention to meet with Cal Small, Director – Advocacy while in Ottawa on the Training course with the Legion to formulate policy for the Advocacy program.
Dale Lively, National Advocate,
RCMP Veterans Association Thursday, April 15, 2010