March 6, 2002 - Cliff Chadderton, Chairman of the National Council of Veteran Associations (NCVA) today expressed deep sorrow at the passing of Ossie MacLean of Saint John, New Brunswick. Mr. MacLean, in organizing the vigils on Parliament Hill in the Fall of 1998, was what Chadderton called the "catalyst" which focussed Government attention on the denial of pension and rehabilitation benefits to those who had served in Canada's Merchant Navy in the Second World War.

"We had been gathering evidence to support the claim for many years, but it was the courage of Mr. MacLean and his comrades, Ward Duke and Randy Hope, who first went on a hunger strike on Parliament Hill, that got national attention," Chadderton stated.

This was what Chadderton called the "defining moment" which caused the Government to recognize the problems placed before them in briefs to Parliamentary Committees.

As a result, Merchant Seaman received benefits ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 with an additional $5,000 for those who had been imprisoned for lengthy periods of time. This compensation was announced by the Government on February 1, 2000.

Cards of sympathy may be sent to Mr. MacLean's widow, care of Headquarters, National Council of Veteran Associations, 2827 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, ON K1V 0C4.

Please see Merchant Seamen for more background information on the issue.