Major Mark Campbell is among soldiers who have, in the past, sued the Canadian government over injury pay.
Photo Credit: CBC

Watchdog says disabled soldiers shortchanged

Almost half of Canada’s most severely disabled veterans are not getting government allowances to compensate them for their injuries, according to a report by the veterans’ ombudsman.

‘This is unfair’

Guy Parent says those who do get an allowance and a new, permanent impairment supplement are only given the lowest grade of the benefit, although they qualify for more. “This is unfair and needs to be corrected,” says Parent.

The Canadian government has defended itself from criticism about its treatment of veterans by pointing to the allowance and supplement. But Parent says it doesn’t make sense to set aside cash to deal with a problem and then not spend it.

‘It’s a pattern’

It’s a pattern with the current government, says the ombudsman, noting that this government poured money into a burial program for poor vets, but took a year to ease the eligibility criteria so people could actually qualify.

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