The Enhanced New Veterans Charter Act aims to improve existing legislation designed to provide for the needs of veterans, taking action to address concerns raised by veterans, their families, veterans’ organizations, advisory groups and parliamentary committees.

If passed, this legislation will improve access to monthly benefits for seriously injured veterans, introduce a lifetime $1,000 monthly supplement to assist the most seriously injured or ill veterans, and allow recipients of a Disability Award the flexibility of choosing to receive their payment in a lump-sum, through annual installments, or a combination of the two.

We respect the liberty of individuals to choose how they would like to manage their own finances and appreciate that managing a large sum of money at one time can present a challenge for some.

Those who are seriously injured and unable to work will receive at least $58,000 per year through monthly financial support and other assistance mechanisms.

When veterans whose injuries are compensated for under the Pension Act receive a new diagnosis, the new injury can be compensated for under the New Veterans Charter through the Permanent Impairment Allowance (PIA) or the Exceptional Incapacity Allowance (EIA). However, since the adoption of the charter in April 2006, only 16 veterans have been found eligible to receive PIA. This is due to a gap between the Pension Act and the New Veterans Charter that prevents veterans from having all of their injuries considered for eligibility under the PIA or EIA.

The proposed changes seek to close that gap, expanding eligibility to as many as 3,500 or more veterans.

The Enhanced Charter will also implement a minimum annual Earnings Loss benefit. A minimum, annual pre-tax income of $40,000 will be introduced for recipients of the monthly Earnings Loss benefit. This amendment aims to increase support for veterans who either left the Canadian Forces while still at a low military rank, or when military salaries were much lower than they are today.

Our government takes pride in honouring our veterans and thanking them for their sacrifices by paying them back in any way we can.

We have listened to those affected, and we are improving the New Veterans Charter to make sure our veterans are not unfairly restricted in accessing the care, services and financial support they need and deserve.

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