OTTAWA, ON, July 4, 2007 - The National Council of Veteran Associations had written to the Minister of Veterans Affairs on May 25, 2005, suggesting that, regardless of decisions of the courts, the Government was obligated to establish a review procedure to authorize payments in lieu of interest on administered funds. The payment would be limited to veterans or their widows.

It was learned today that the Ontario Court of Appeal overturned a $4.6 billion damage award which would have compensated disabled war veterans or their estates. The Federal Government, in opposing the decision of the Superior Court judge, argued that most of the money would not have gone to former military, many of whom have died, but would have been paid instead to “thousands of distant relatives and perhaps even creditors.”

Chairman Cliff Chadderton stated that NCVA believes the establishment of an ad hoc committee to be an essential step, to bring justice where warranted, to veterans still alive or to their widows.

NCVA, an ‘umbrella group,’ speaks for 56 war veteran and military organizations, and has publicly opposed the class action. The organization does, however, strongly support the proposal for a review committee.

The proposal for such committee was first put to the Minister of Veterans Affairs on May 25, 2005. A response was received from the then-Deputy Minister, Mr. Jack Stagg, stating that the matter was being forwarded to the Department of Justice which was handling the appeal.