OTTAWA, ON, January 25, 1999 - Relying on documents going back to the 1940's, The War Amps has produced a new video charging that the government of the day purposely withheld veterans benefits to Merchant Seamen.

Quoting a statement from the Honourable Lionel Chevrier, Canada's wartime Minister of Transport, the government decided to dissuade Merchant Seamen from taking their discharge as they would be needed to man an expanded Canadian Merchant fleet.

Organizations representing Merchant Navy veterans have long claimed that veterans' status was withheld from them in 1945. The War Amps video points out, however, that the plans for a Canadian Mercantile Marine never materialized by 1949 with the result that the Merchant Seamen were released but were given no rehabilitation benefits.

The War Amps produced the film after public indignation was raised as a result of hunger strikes on Parliament Hill by the aging men who risked the deadly seas to carry war supplies, mostly to Europe.

The film is titled, Sail or Jail: Merchant Seamen's Claim for Benefits. It tells a chilling tale of the deceitful manner in which the government, with the connivance of ship owners and questionable union activity, withheld employment, housing and other benefits to the Merchant Seamen, who were the unfortunate victims of a failed post-war plan to establish shipping facilities which could compete on a worldwide basis.

The story commences early in World War II when the Canadian government declared the Merchant Marine to be an essential arm of the fighting services. When it became obvious after the war that Canadian ships could not compete with those of foreign registry (flags of convenience), the Merchant Seamen were left to fend for themselves.

The film debunks the myth that Merchant Seamen, when compared with members of the regular forces, were not subject to discipline or continuous service. The producer, Cliff Chadderton, Chief Executive Officer of The War Amps and Chairman of the National Council of Veteran Associations, stated: "The Merchant Seaman was required to serve under what was known as the 'sail or jail' order of the Canadian government. Moreover, he was subjected to the disciplinary code of the British admiralty. The film demonstrates, in graphic footage, the dangers involved on the high seas from enemy aircraft and submarines."

"Moreover," Chadderton said, "these men were often required to sail in outdated steamers or oil tankers at a time when more than 30% of the vessels in a convoy were sunk. The Merchant Marine war reached close to Canada in that 353 ships were sunk in Canadian offshore waters, including the Gulf of St. Lawrence."

The video, which is being distributed free of charge to community channels, explains that the legislation currently before the House of Commons fails to provide compensation in lieu of the benefits which would have permitted these men to make a successful return to civilian life. The Merchant Seamens' demands for a lump sum payment is supported by The War Amps and the National Council of Veteran Associations.

Like all War Amps productions, the video was produced in-house and funded by corporate donations. It is available for purchase at a cost recovery price or on loan at no charge by calling toll-free 1-800-250-3030 or faxing toll-free 1-800-219-8988, or by using E-ZEE ACCESS online.

For more information on this issue, please read our backgrounder.