OTTAWA, ON, January 28, 2006 - The following media advisory provides up-to-date data regarding the position of the National Council of Veteran Associations (55 member groups) after learning today that the Federal Government will appeal a ruling of the Ontario Superior Court that would require payment of $4.6 billion interest on funds administered on behalf of mentally-incompetent war veterans residing in Veterans Affairs institutions.

The judgement being appealed was given by Mr. Justice John Brokenshire on December 29, 2005, overturning a previous finding that the Department of Veterans Affairs was not liable for payment of interest on accounts for which the Federal Government had custodial care of monies being held for mentally-incompetent patients in government- sponsored institutional beds.

The National Council, an ‘umbrella group’ which speaks for the majority of war veterans, has publicly opposed the judgement. According to a statement by NCVA Chairman Cliff Chadderton, its stand has been supported by Dominion Command of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Chadderton, a staunch advocate for veterans, wrote to the Minister of Veterans Affairs last July proposing that the Government establish a committee to adjudicate any justifiable claims on behalf of veterans or their widows. He said that no reply had been received from the Minister.

A transcript of an interview with Cliff Chadderton aired on Hamilton Community is appended here with (PDF).