25 April 2005

Legion supporting new Veterans Charter

OTTAWA – The Royal Canadian Legion is very pleased with the Federal Government announcement on 19 April, 2005, concerning the proposal for a new Veterans’ Charter for Canada. The proposed legislation is being put forward by Veterans Affairs Canada.

"This is a step in the right direction for Canada’s veterans, new and old," says Mary Ann Burdett of Terrace, B.C., the Dominion President of the 400,000 member veterans’-based, self-funded organization. "The modernization of programs and services to help our newer veterans move back into civilian life is particularly pleasing because it is what we have been promoting for several years now," she adds.

The new legislation, a result of close consultations between Veterans Affairs Canada, veterans organizations such as the Legion, National Defence and other government departments will introduce benefits for the newer veteran that, up until now, have been introduced individually as requirements arose.

"The new package being proposed is very comprehensive compared to what is now available to the newer veteran," says Pierre Allard, Director of the Legion’s Service Bureau at the organization’s headquarters in Ottawa. "It will be of benefit to the veteran as well as his or her family and I believe that it is the right type of action for the government to be taking. Times have changed and the needs of these newer veterans have changed as well," he says.

The proposed legislation will not alter what is currently in place for war veterans but will add to the total package that can be accessed by the newer veteran of the armed forces in Canada.

"Any proposal that has a positive effect on those who serve this nation is one that gets serious consideration from us," says Ms. Burdett. "This proposal meets the needs that we have seen develop over the past few years in the new veterans community. That’s why we in the Legion are behind it."

For further information please contact Bob Butt at Dominion Command, The Royal Canadian Legion, at (613) 591-3335.

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