OTTAWA, ON, November 6, 2000 - The National Council of Veteran Associations expressed dissatisfaction with the comments of the class action lawyers in regard to the decision of the Government to appeal a decision which would have required payment of interest on funds administered by DVA on behalf of institutionalized veterans.

The original judgement of Justice Brockenshire on October 11, 2000 would have cost the taxpayer an estimated $1.5 billion. According to Cliff Chadderton, the Council Chairman, very few disabled veterans would have benefited. "Most of them are dead and the rest are obviously mentally incapacitated," he said.

Chadderton suggested that the class action, following which a group of lawyers with a public relations firm requested possible beneficiaries including distant relatives to contact them, had all the earmarks of a "giant con game."

The lawyers were quoted as saying that, by appealing, the Government is "sending a clear signal that these veterans are a forgotten group of men and women...justice delayed is justice denied."

The umbrella group, which represents some 38 veterans organizations, was particularly incensed at this comment, stating that it reflected unfavourably upon Veterans Affairs.

"People do not realize that most of these veterans have been drawing 100% pension, allowances and free medical treatment for up to 50 years," Chadderton said. "The trust funds were handled as a "set-off" in lieu of interest. In other words, the Department was providing an additional service by handling the veterans monies. The veteran received the benefit but there is no rationale, according to the Veterans Council, for interest to be paid."