Government needs a plan for backlog of veterans’

by Jeremiah Thu 20 Feb 2020, 7:11 pm

Government needs a plan for backlog of
veterans’ aid applications: ombudsman

BY STAFF - THE CANADIAN PRESS
Posted February 20, 2020

https://globalnews.ca/news/6575857/canada-veterans-backlog/

by **Trooper** Fri 21 Feb 2020, 8:18 am

Excellent observation and suggestion the Veterans Ombudsman has stated in this article. He is doing exactly what his mandate details. So far this Ombudsman has showed to be a more detailed, and a leader in the sense of being cautious about the merits coming from the Veterans file via government. More so than Parent. The well addressed article unfortunately will fade away like all other articles publicly addressing the faults within the Veterans file. The government has mastered the responses to anything, and everyone who questions or points out faults within the Veterans file. This as I have previously in many of my own comments mentioned before. It has become the normal function for the Minister of Veterans Affairs to answer all concerns or questions in a way that does absolutely nothing to address these questions or concerns, but does give the false impression that the government is competent in the answers they give. I doubt that the backlogs will ever be fully fixed. If they were to fix this right leaving only a very small number of waiting applications this would of course have an affect on the work security of those overlooking the applications. After all, the bureaucrats need to ensure their security is well preserved. You all remember when the Liberals got elected in 2015. You all remember the priority of re-opening Veterans Affairs offices that were previously closed by the Conservatives. This was front and center in 2016 and in no time all offices were re-opened. These offices were suppose to help with applications, and help the Veterans file progress in a positive efficient manner. Where is the results from re-opening these offices? Now I'm hearing that the Ombudsman's office is also getting backlogged. The take away from all of this is be cautious of what the government is saying with regards to the Veterans file, it is not speaking from the heart, it is simply an unorganized system that puts out information that misrepresents Veterans, and uses public announcements to refresh their own public image.

by JAFO Fri 21 Feb 2020, 12:13 pm

Don't know which article you are talking about from the Ombudsman Trooper...oh wait this is the only report he has released so far in his 15th month of being the Ombudsman.

The Global news report served up the main problem on a silver platter for the OVO to pounce on but I will guarantee he will say ZERO!

If he is striving for one veteran one standard this is the first piece of evidence....Nova Scotia veterans will have more access to mental health. Why just Nova Scotia? What about the rest of Canada?

Oh right it was pointed out in the MAP released by the VAC Minister that the Federal Government has no responsibilities for providing health services for veterans. It is the Province in which the veteran lives in that is responsible for health services for the veterans.

How many Provincial Health Ministers do you think the OVO or even the VAC Minister has had meetings with? Where is the information on either the VAC or OVO website breaking down each provincial and territorial health plan for veterans to understand what they can get and how to get them? Has the OVO or VAC Minister set up a special phone line in each province and territory for veterans in need? NO. Have they set up an email/text service for veterans in each province or territory to get help? NO.

When it comes to one veteran one standard it will only apply to the release procedure. Once we are out of the federal governments hands they are no longer responsible. All the federal gov't does is cut a check once a year to each province for every veteran living in that province to help pay for health services.

I have not been following the Desmond Inquiry closely but the info I have seen is shinning a massive spotlight of the failure of communication between VAC and provincial/territorial health system of veterans with health issues. Hell a veteran has to ask for their medical records when they are released. This should be automatic! A topic that was raised by both previous Ombudsmen.

So beware of the two reports recently released by VAC and the OVO. They are both versions of reports I have read at least 3/4 times over the last 20 years. They are basically reports that are covering their asses because this Desmond Inquiry has the potential of leading us to a National Inquiry. An Inquiry VAC does not want because heads will roll because it will show how completely incompetent VAC is but extremely competent when it comes to getting that coveted yearly bonus!

by **Trooper** Fri 21 Feb 2020, 6:49 pm

JAFO I was referring to the Global News article first post by Jeremiah. The article relays what Dalton is observing and suggesting to the Minister of Veterans Affairs that they need a plan to address the backlogs. "Dalton says the government has not laid out a clear plan that includes specific actions and targets."

I was saying in my post that Dalton is calling out the government on not having a concrete plan to address the backlogs. To me I see Dalton as being a bit more aggressive in his duties than of Parent. I do believe Dalton has had a taste of the cool-aid, and does not like the taste.

To the average citizen listening or reading what comes out of the Minister of Veterans Affairs may sound proper or competent in what he continues to say when things such as the backlogs are brought forward. For us it's a different story. We know what's going on with our file.

I think Dalton will also see if not already just how bad our file really is, and how incompetent those in charge of the file are. He better be careful because if he gets too serious or calls them out often in a aggressive manner, they will boot him out the door.

Again I would stress that take what you hear from the government on our file with skepticism. And also remember that the government of Canada has no legal obligation towards it's Veterans. And believe me they know it.

by Echostar Fri 21 Feb 2020, 9:25 pm

21.02.2020

by **Colter** Sat 22 Feb 2020, 8:28 am

'We deserve better': Veteran shares frustration over
claim application backlog

Published Friday, February 21, 2020

WINNIPEG -- A growing number of veterans across the country are being affected by a major backlog within Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC).

In an annual report, the veterans ombudsman highlights the issue which is keeping thousands of former service members waiting to find out if they qualify for benefits and aid.

Veterans ombudsman Craig Dalton is calling on the federal government to come up with a clear plan to eliminate the backlog within Veterans Affairs.

Most recently, Veterans Affairs Canada revealed that there were 44,000 applications waiting to be processed at the end of September, which was a 10 per cent increase from six months earlier.

WINNIPEG VETERAN SPEAKS OUT

Winnipeg’s Cameron Jones wrote a letter to the Prime Minister on Feb. 8, expressing his frustration with VAC.

Jones spent 37 years serving with the Canadian Armed Forces. Last June, he submitted a claim for ongoing treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

“It took them six weeks to send me the information package," said Jones. “I then booked an appointment with my specialist, he did his part of the report, I did mine, and the specialist sent it off and it took them basically 32 weeks to say ‘no you filled out the wrong paperwork’”

Jones was told he needed to reopen a claim he started in 2016, which had taken two years to complete.

Now – he said he’s forced to start over and wait once again.

“Thirty nine weeks on average, so they've already wasted 32 weeks, now I've got the new paperwork, which they don't have yet because the specialist has to fill it out, once they receive that, the 39 week clock starts,” said Jones.

He said the delay has impacted him financially and emotionally.

'WE KNOW THERE'S MORE TO BE DONE': VAC

In a statement to CTV News Friday, the department said: "The work to improve our operations is ongoing and the Veterans Ombudsman’s Office (OVO) has provided valuable insights and recommendations in this report."

"We know there is more to be done – that is why we are changing how decisions are made and looking to find better ways to communicate with Veterans and their families."

According to the Royal Canadian Legion, it’s an area which needs work.

“The turnaround times have to improve, but more importantly for us the transparency is a must, and that will alleviate a lot of the calls we get here,” said Ray McInnis, Director of Veterans Services, The Royal Canadian Legion.

“They need to hire more people or do what they have to do to get the system better,” added Jones.

He said he’s been able to receive some treatment on his own - but is adamant changes need to be made, in order for veterans to get the help they need in a timely manner.

“We served the country with distinction, we deserve better,” he said.

-With files from The Canadian Press

https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/we-deserve-better-veteran-shares-frustration-over-claim-application-backlog-1.4823004

by JAFO Sat 22 Feb 2020, 11:34 am

And like i said Trooper it wasn't hard to see which report Global was talking about because it took Dalton 15 months to produce his first investigative report

As for being careful on what Dalton can say for fear of losing his job? If Trudeau couldn't fire Parent back in 2015 what makes you think he can fire Dalton now?

If Dalton wants to really be an Ombudsman then he needs to write this in a report....
1. Has a bonus been paid to any DM or ADM over the last 2 years? If so how can VAC justify giving out any bonus to a department that is failing veterans?

2. Are VAC employees not meeting job requirements being trained properly?

3. Written up for poor job performance? Can VAC employees be fired for incompetence? Has a VAC employee been fired for continual poor performance?

Writing a report that states the obvious on application wait times, and he has known since the infamous 1 Year Birthday Cake photo on Facebook last year, is not doing your job in my opinion.

Yes he has a limited mandate but the #1 mandate he has is investigating continual problems within VAC.

Is this not a continual problem?

Do we veterans not have the right to know job consequences for VAC employee incompetence?

I don't know about anyone else but I sure would like to know who recommended Dalton to apply for the Veteran Ombudsman job? Like I said Trudeau wanted Parent to resign. Why? Probably because of a simple investigation into VRAB which proved how many veterans did not need to go to federal court. How did Parent prove it? He hired a law firm to look over every veteran's case that went to federal court.

A Senior Policy Adviser in the OVO created a tool to make application decisions simpler for both VAC employees and easier understanding of benefit qualification for veterans called the Benefit Navigator. When it was shown to VAC they took control of the Navigator and controlled how much of the benefit navigator veterans have access to.

An actuarial done by a 3rd party on veteran benefits comparing PA to NVC proving that when veterans turn 65 over 50% will be living below the poverty line because of benefits being cut off because CPP kicks in. An actuarial that embarrassed the Conservatives and they created "new" benefits for post 65 veterans AND a widows benefit that was not in the original NVC. These benefits by the way were created, written, and passed within 7 months.

If this is the pace (and reports) Dalton is going to work at then veterans need to get used to being ignored because our OVO is not doing his job to the satisfaction of this veteran!

by **Trooper** Sat 22 Feb 2020, 6:45 pm

Don't think Global was reporting this from the Feb 07th Annual Report. I'm under the understanding that it was Dalton himself who on the 20th last Thursday who challenged the government from this Report.

With respect to Dalton being fired, I was simply just pointing out in those words what Dalton is faced with. Whether they toss him or try to toss him. We know now he is only the third Ombudsman in that position. We know what happened to Pat the first Ombudsman. The point is that the government will not allow anyone including any Ombudsman to dictate to them how to run the file.

I agree on the principal of what your saying with Dalton writing a report on "VAC employees not meeting job requirements being trained properly, Can VAC employees be fired for incompetence, and application wait times." But if there's one thing I've learned throughout the years looking at the tactics used by VAC, no report, no inquiry, no consultation plan, no Veteran or Veteran group, no single person or group will succeed in holding the government to account on the benefits laid out for Veterans by the government. Like I said in one of my other post, the government has mastered to perfection how to handle any bad or negative push towards them. Sure they may say, it's unacceptable, and they are working to better it, but they have thousands of different answers to give at any given time. They've already showed/proven they can handle all the public backlash thrown to them. It's a losing battle any way you look at it.

Your point about ("A Senior Policy Adviser in the OVO created a tool to make application decisions simpler for both VAC employees and easier understanding of benefit qualification for veterans called the Benefit Navigator. When it was shown to VAC they took control of the Navigator and controlled how much of the benefit navigator veterans have access to.") Your surprised about this?

At the end of the day in my own personal opinion, the Ombudsman was created to enhance public relations with Veterans. No government today, no government tomorrow is going to allow any Veterans Ombudsman to dictate to them about the way they run the Veterans file. Of course they will implement some recommendations, they will listen and read what is suggested, but this is all part of the public relations position of the Veterans Ombudsman. This does absolutely nothing to bring back fairness to disabled Veterans. We need to look at the big picture when it comes to the Veterans Ombudsman. Yes they help a lot of Veterans with obtaining benefits, yes they do research, and give recommendations, but the fact remains that the position itself holds little to no power against the government run file.

Again just my own opinion.

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