Keith Neville aired his concerns alongside the Official Opposition NDP veterans affairs critic Peter Stoffer at a news conference Tuesday, January 12, 2014
Photo Credit: CBC

Man who acted as veterans advocate barred from helping in veteran appeals

After successfully representing 48 veterans with their cases before the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, Kevin Neville was told he can no longer help former military members. He’s been helping out veterans, without charge, since 2008 and is not a lawyer.

“Forty-eight cases were done and 48 cases were overturned,” Neville said Tuesday (January 12). “So I’ve been making them look bad.”

The veterans affairs critic for Canada’s Official Opposition NDP party Peter Stoffer was upset by the decision: “Because (Neville is) so good at what he does, they’re now trying to nitpick and find any excuse, any misdirection that may have occurred on a particular file in order to deny him the right to apply and assist these individuals.

“Let’s not forget Mr. Neville doesn’t do this for money, he doesn’t do it for glory or for medals. He does it because he likes veterans and he wants to help them.”

The Chronicle Herald reported that in an email Tuesday, “Thomas Jarmyn, deputy board chairman, said Neville will be allowed back as a representative for veterans on certain conditions. He must comply with standards of competent representation and agree to advance claims in a manner that protects and does not prejudice the rights of veterans.”

The day after the news was covered by several Canadian news media outlets, the Veterans Affairs Minister Erin O’Toole wrote on Twitter: “Following my request to the VRAB for a second look, Mr. Neville is permitted to continue his advocacy work for veterans @VeteransENG_CA ”

More information:
CBC News – Advocate Keith Neville ordered to stop work with veterans’ appeals – here
CTV News – Veterans outraged after review board bars advocate for N.S. veterans – here
Chronicle Herald – Cape Breton veterans cut off from local advocate, told to hire a lawyer – here
Veterans Affairs Minister Erin O’Toole’s tweet – here

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