Ottawa won't change its attitude until citizens rise up in anger By PAT STOGRAN, Special to Times Colonist August 28, 2010
VVi 30 Aug 2010
Since the news conference that I held last week to expose the truth on veterans' issues, the grassroots outpouring of support from veterans and Canadians to fix the problems and provide veterans with the support they need has been overwhelming. This is the same grassroots response that united Canadians to create the Highway of Heroes and to step out, thank and support our service personnel. Canadians might not agree on why their sons and daughters are fighting in far-off lands, but there is no lack of fervour when it comes to their support for the troops and their families. The silence has been broken. Veterans are speaking out after years of silently fighting with a system that is not effectively meeting their needs, and they are being heard. The fact that so many Canadians have become engaged in this debate shows that veterans' issues matter deeply to them. It is time for government action. Veterans are woven into the fabric of Canadian society. It is important how they are treated, not only because of our obligation to them, but also because of the associated long-term social and national security implications. If military members are not effectively re-integrated into society after their service, it can have significant impact on our social, health and justice systems. In addition, if Canadians see that veterans aren't being treated fairly, they might hesitate to join the military. An effective military needs the country's best and brightest. Many veterans are struggling to get the services they need. It is widely recognized that the system is broken. We send our military and police into harm's way and when they come back sick, injured and wounded, the system makes them jump through hoops to get benefits and often treats them as if they are trying to get something that they do not deserve. This has to stop.
The system controls access to all information, adjudicates in secret, communicates infrequently and in a language that only a government lawyer can understand and then sets up an equally convoluted and secretive appeal process to address unfair departmental practices. There is no impetus to change the system from within. The original design of the ombudsman's office was set up to address complaints, not to address systemic issues. No wonder the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman has had so little success in trying to make substantive changes and veterans are speaking out. Now is the time for change. Veterans need your support. Although much of what needs to be done is rooted in the legislative process, it is the culture of the system that develops and implements legislation and regulations that really needs to be changed. The only way this is going to happen is if Canada's parliamentarians realize that this issue is significant and urgent and Canadians want it addressed now. Get involved. Let your MPs and senators know how you feel. And make your views on how to support veterans clearly known. Make them accountable. Our mothers and fathers and sons and daughters have sacrificed themselves and their families in the service of their country so that you can have the freedom to choose the government and issues that need to be addressed. Our soldiers, sailors, air personnel and police have stood up for us; it is now time for us to stand up for them.