War Pensioners of Canada

by Echostar Fri 06 Mar 2020, 6:34 am

More staff needed for veterans
benefit claims, says WPC president

By Tom Sasvari - March 6, 2020

SUDBURY – The president of the North Shore-Manitoulin War Pensioners of Canada (WPC) has a simple idea on how the federal government can deal with the backlog in the system that prevents thousands of service members from being able to find out whether they qualify for disability benefits and the help they need.

“That’s a problem/concern I hear from veterans all the time, that they fill out the paperwork but can’t find out whether they qualify for benefits. I don’t know what the government plan will be, but what they need to do is hire more people to help process the veterans claims; and then get to approving their benefits,” Colin Pick told the Recorder last week. “When a veteran is ill, it is frustrating for them when they have to have to wait so long to find out if they qualify for benefits. They have to wait for the paperwork and invariably they end up having to answer more questions—it seems to take forever.”

“As president (WPC) I have written many letters to the government on behalf of veterans who have been trying to get benefits, have filled out all the paper work and six months later they still have nothing. Not even a response on their claims for benefits,” said Mr. Pick. “When myself or the veteran’s doctor try to intervene on behalf of the veterans because they are not getting the answer they are looking for it ticks them off, understandably so.”

“If the government wants to put a plan in place, make it a hiring plan to provide for more people to work with the veteran on the claims they have made. The people who originally hear the claims from the veterans are trying their best. But there just aren’t enough of them around. Unfortunately, this type of thing has been going on for years.”

As was reported by the Canadian Press on February 22, Veterans Ombudsman Craig Dalton indicated he is urging the federal government to explain clearly how it plans to eliminate a backlog that is keeping thousands of former service members waiting to find out whether they qualify for disability benefits and help.

The ombudsman’s comments come as the frustration of Canada’s veterans community is increasing, while the number of applications for disability benefits and other assistance Canada’s veterans community is growing in frustration as the number of applications for disability benefits and other assistance continues to grow; meanwhile the government promises to address the problem but has not carried this out, thus far.

Veterans Affairs Canada announced in February there were 44,000 applications waiting to be processed at the end of September (2019), which showed a 10 percent increase from six months previous. Some were incomplete applications that needed more information from applicants but most were just waiting on the department’s review, reported Canadian Press. Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay described the backlog as unacceptable and said eliminating it is his top priority while departmental officials say they are implementing a number of measures behind the scenes to process applications faster.

Mr. Dalton said unmet health needs would be number one concern with the wait times and secondly is veterans who are, for a variety of reasons at a point of crisis. It was pointed out the Liberal government put $20 million into the system in 2018 to hire more staff to eliminate the backlog. But not only does the money run out at the end of March, the growing number of cases waiting for decisions suggests even more money will be needed.

“I know there is a lot of pressure on the VAC staff who handle the veterans’ claims for benefits and they are trying their best,” said Mr. Pick. “The best plan for the government would be to hire more people to carry out this work.”

https://www.manitoulin.ca/more-staff-needed-for-veterans-benefit-claims-says-wpc-president/

by **Accer** Fri 12 Jun 2020, 12:55 pm

Injured veterans need to know sooner if they qualify for aid: War Pensioners

By Tom Sasvari -June 12, 2020

MANITOULIN – The president of the Manitoulin-North Shore branch of the War Pensioners of Canada (WPC) agrees that something must be done to the current process that has injured veterans waiting twice as long as they are promised in order to learn if they qualify for aid for service-related injuries, after filing an application with the federal government.

It was reported by The Canadian Press on June 1 that injured Canadian veterans are being forced to wait on average twice as long as promised to find out whether they qualify for financial help from the government, even as the backlog of unprocessed applications for assistance continues to grow.

“They (Veterans Affairs Canada) are supposed to help within 16 weeks, but sometimes it takes months,” stated Colin Pick, president of the WPC. “I have to write a letter about this voicing our concerns. I don’t know why this is happening. With COVID-19 all people within (VAC) are probably working at home. And they say the applications are being backed up because of COVID-19, but this was an issue a long time prior to the pandemic.”

“When a veteran has applied for compensation, they need to get answers on their application and assistance as soon as possible,” said Mr. Pick.

The Canadian Press noted that Veterans Affairs has not said how much the pandemic is contributing to the problem. The department has said officials are continuing to process applications while working at home due to the crisis. But the federal government has long been accused of causing added frustration and stress to many injured veterans because of the growing wait times, which have in turn contributed to a growing backlog of requests for help.

More than 46,200 applications were in the backlog at the end of December, according to Veterans Affairs. That represented an increase of 1,600 from September and 6,000 from March.

The number is expected to increase due to the pandemic and includes more than 20,000 applications that the department says are “incomplete” and awaiting further information, according to the Canadian Press article.

Veterans Affairs advocacy groups in recent months have been asking the Liberal government to automatically approve all applications for assistance from injured ex-soldiers and conduct an audit after the fact to catch any illegitimate claims. They have indicated that many veterans are facing difficulties in collecting all the necessary information due to various lockdowns, and they note this approach has been adopted for some of the federal emergency programs set up due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government has so far resisted such calls.

https://www.manitoulin.ca/injured-veterans-need-to-know-sooner-if-they-qualify-for-aid-war-pensioners/

by Whiskey Thu 09 Dec 2021, 4:40 pm

War Pensioners of Canada celebrate 99 years in Sudbury

Published Dec. 8, 2021

SUDBURY - The War Pensioners of Canada celebrated its 99th anniversary in Sudbury Wednesday by having a luncheon.
The group formed in the early 1900s and helped guide veterans through the process of getting pensions and medical care.

The local War Pensioners of Canada group held one last Christmas lunch before they surrender their colours next year.

“We’re surrendering our colours and our artifacts to the Canadian war museum so it’s there for other people to see,” said Chris Pick, president War Pensioners of Canada Sudbury, Espanola/Manitoulin.

"But as each individual member dies, we are retaining the title of ambassadors of the War Pensioners of Canada."

Also at the lunch, the Sudbury and Espanola/Manitoulin branch amalgamated.

“That’s an important thing in itself. But it puts all of our resources and finances into one pot, ready for when we go to Ottawa, which makes it much easier when we close the books,” said Pick.

People in attendance said they will miss these gatherings and hope they will all keep in touch in the years to come, even after they disband the group.

“For me, it’s to be with people that we’ve been with for a long time,” said member Wayne Golden.

"I’m a veteran and I joined to help serve veterans. I hate to see it happen, but we have to live with it. We are the sole survivor left out of a few hundred."

The War Pensioners are planning to make their way to Ottawa in September of next year to officially hand over their colours to the Canadian War Museum.

CTV News

by **Spider** Wed 10 Aug 2022, 9:16 am

'It's OK to cry'

The Sudbury branch of the War Pensioners of Canada honours Canadians who served in Afghanistan, especially those from the Sudbury area who died or wounded in the conflict

Mia Jensen
Publishing date: Aug 10, 2022

Members of the War Pensioners of Canada in Sudbury honoured Canadian veterans, including those from Sudbury, who served or were wounded or killed during Canadian military action in Afghanistan.

The Sudbury branch holds the memorial service annually by at the Coop Funeral Home, where a monument featuring the names of the 159 Canadians killed in that conflict was erected more than 10 years ago.

This year’s ceremony was special not only because it was part of the organization’s 100-year anniversary celebration, but because it marked its last service hosted in Sudbury before its surrender their colours to the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa on Sept. 21.

“This year is special for us as War Pensioners,” said president Colin Pick. “Because it’s our last ceremony in Sudbury, we wanted to something for the funeral home for all they have done for veterans Afghan veterans and their families.”

Pick said the organization had faced tremendous difficulties during COVID, and had decided it was time to fold the local branch.

“Just this year alone, we’ve lost four members,” he said. “Many of our members are in nursing home care. We’re at the point where we’re not able to continue because of age.”

“It was decided that we will surrender our colours with pride and dignity.”

Under a cloudless blue sky Tuesday afternoon, veterans and the families of local members of the Armed Forces who were wounded or killed in Afghanistan attended ceremony.

Gathered at the funeral homes commemorative monument to Afghanistan veterans, the Colour Party carried a Canadian flag and the organization’s colours, while the Charles C. Golden Silver Star Ceremonial Rifle Team performed a rifle salute.

Between prayers and moments of silence, Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe and Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes read the list of names of all the Canadians who died while serving in Afghanistan.

“These ceremonies are very important,” Lapointe said. “Please know that the service of fallen soldiers will not be forgotten. Family members, please know that it is an honour to be here as we pay homage to the sacrifices they have made on behalf of our communities.”

Soldiers from the Sudbury area who died in Afghanistan were among those commemorated, many of whom had surviving family members in attendance. They included Cpl. Glen Arnold, Pvt. David Byers, Warrant Officer Gaeten Roberge, Sgt. Martin Goudreault, medic Andrew Miller, Sgt. Jesse Tait, and Cpl. John Unrau.

In a somber moment, Claudette Roberge, the mother of Gaeten Roberge, wiped away tears as she accompanied Cpl. Bill Kerr to lay a wreath before the monument that featured her fallen son’s name.

Following the ceremony, the organization presented Coop Funeral Home a painting by artist Simon Bull in recognition of the work the home has done to honour veterans and their families.

The oil painting of a poppy, which is now displayed in the funeral home’s foyer, is meant to serve a place of reflection for veterans and family members who visit the building, alongside the monument.

“I’m most proud that the local veterans, their families, and all of the communities have adopted these monuments for their intended purpose, and that was to immortalize the names of those who died so we could always remember them,” said Coop general manager David Lapierre.

“We are honoured that the War Pensioners of Canada have decided to present us with this beautiful painting. It will be permanently and prominently displayed in the funeral home as long as we exist.”

The War Pensioners closed the event with a special presentation to honour Cpl. Kerr and his wife Tracy.

Kerr, a reserve soldier and member of the 2nd Irish Battalion in Sudbury, lost both legs and part of his arm to an IED while serving in Afghanistan. He was was presented with the War Pensioners Meritorious Service medal, the organization’s highest honour, in recognition of his service.

“He served in Afghanistan with distinction and, unfortunately, his injuries were devastating,” said Pick in his presentation. “I can’t imagine what he went through to put himself back together and see what you see today. This is a man of real courage, determination, and guts.

“He is not only an example to other members who are in similar circumstances, but to all of us.”

His wife, Tracy Kerr, was also honoured and received the organization’s second highest award, the Humanitarian medal.

“She became an example to other wives and veteran’s spouses as to how to help others and deal with grief and adversity,” said Pick. “She had to fight, because she has two young girls, and she had to do her best. She came out of all of that a winner.”

As Tracy Kerr received her medal, she broke down as MP Lapointe commended her for her strength and courage.

With tears in her eyes, she looked at the crowd gathered around her, many of whom had gone through experiences much like her own, and offered them a poignant reminder: “It’s OK to cry.”

The Local Journalism Initiative is made possible through funding from the federal government.

mjensen@postmedia.com

Twitter: @mia_rjensen

Sudbury Star

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