News Release - Minister of Veterans Affairs Announces Appointment to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board
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News Release - Minister of Veterans Affairs Announces Appointment to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board
October 26, 2011
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Ottawa — The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today announced a new appointment to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board (VRAB). Serge Martel of Ottawa, Ontario has been appointed to the Board for a 3-year term, effective November 14, 2011.
The appointment was made in accordance with VRAB's merit-based selection process. "With the appointment of Serge Martel to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, we now have a member with an extensive background in law enforcement and security," said Minister Blaney. "Veterans and our stakeholders have communicated their desire to have the representation of the RCMP on the Board. With the appointment of Serge Martel, we have shown that we are listening to them. Mr. Martel has served previously with the RCMP, and his appointment marks the first time that cases will be heard by a member with this experience."
Mr. Martel has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honours in Criminology. In addition, he holds a Master of Public Administration degree. His extensive work experience
includes time spent at CSIS as well as the RCMP. Recently, he has been working for the Canada Border Services Agency as Manager of Internal Disclosure. The Veterans Review and Appeal Board (VRAB) is the independent appeal tribunal for the disability pension and disability award programs administered by Veterans Affairs Canada. It also provides the final level of appeal for War Veterans Allowance applications.
The Board's objective is to ensure that traditional Veterans, Canadian Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police members and Veterans, and their families, receive the benefits to which they are entitled. To achieve this, the Board conducts hearings that give applicants the opportunity to appear in person and present new information and arguments in support of their application for disability benefits.
The Board operates at arms length from the Minister of Veterans Affairs to ensure a fair appeal process for applicants. There are now 25 full-time members on the Board, including the Chair and Deputy Chair.
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