Canadian government lawyers say the government has no special obligation to its military veterans, and argue it’s unfair to bind the federal government to promises made almost a century ago.
Citing court documents made public Tuesday (March 18), but filed in January at the B.C. Supreme Court, Canadian Press journalist Murray Brewster writes “The assertion is spelled out in black and white in a statement of defence filed by the Justice Department in a class-action lawsuit by Afghan veterans who claim a 2006 overhaul of benefits is discriminatory under the charter of rights.”
The soldiers are suing over new rules which provide a lump sum payment instead of a lifetime pension as was provided after previous wars.
The lawsuit was first filed in October 2012, and involves a group of six veterans, all of whom served and were injured in Afghanistan.
Pat Stogran the spokesperson for the group behind the lawsuit, the Equitas Society, and a former Veterans Ombudsman called the government’s response “ludicrous”.
More information:
Canadian Press/Murray Brewster – Ottawa has no special obligation to soldiers, federal lawyers say in court filing – here
CBC News – Veterans don’t have social contract, Ottawa says in lawsuit response – here
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