Wednesday, August 18, 2010

2752...Treating War Veterans With Disrespect

That is what the ombudsman appointed by Stephen Harper says.

His name is Pat Stogran, Colonel Pat Stogran, and he has three months to go on his term as ombudsman for military vets. Laura Payton in today's Kingston Whig-Standard reports on a presser the Colonel held today:

Stogran held a press conference Tuesday, flanked by veterans, to lay out some of the problems he has seen since he took the post the country's first champion for them.

"Our heroes are suffering," he said.

Among the problems is a move to lump sum disability payments rather than disability pensions, which means less money for injured soldiers.

A modern veteran who loses both legs to a landmine in Afghanistan, for example, would receive a lump sum of about $276,000 rather than a lifelong pension.

Another problem Stogran has pointed to is a clawback that sees the government pension reduced if the veteran is entitled to a group insurance disability pension.

Dennis Manuge is leading a class action lawsuit with 6,500 other veterans against the clawback.

"The deep sense of betrayal I feel towards our government, Canadians and even veterans themselves is one of the reasons clouding my ability to get well and to be a successful advocate on our behalf," he said.


Colonel Strogan said that if he is not renewed at the end of his term it is coz he has been doing his job.

Our beloved Prime Minister replied: Blah, blah, blah and blah.

WFDS

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