The existing provisions for up-to-date equipment and a payscale consistent with that of Canadian skilled workers is required if we are to maintain our status as a First World nation.

This was contained in a statement to the Senate Committee on National Security and Defence delivered this evening by Cliff Chadderton, Chairman of NCVA, which represents members of service in World War II and the contribution of today's peacekeepers.

Chadderton told the Committee that, if we are to maintain recruiting and provide a stable employment base for peacekeepers, we have to discard the principles which governed existing compensation which is based on the rate of pay for cleaners and helpers in the Public Service of Canada in 1919.

He stated that he had been in touch with many members of the peacetime forces and the organizations which represent them. They are looked down upon based on their conditions of service found among Third World countries.

The written submission called for considerable escalation of the service conditions if the Canadian Government is to send military personnel for service in foreign countries. The submission called for an expenditure consistent with a high standard of performance in regard to weapons and pay allowances for peacekeepers and their dependants.

Chadderton stressed the importance of Canada maintaining its place in world affairs, earned during past wars.

The NCVA submission called for a contract between the peacekeeper and Canada which would provide pay and service conditions based on the highest order of service which members of the peacetime forces can provide but the responsibility of the government should be to ensure reasonable standards for equipment and pay. Also provision should be made for a high level of compensation where the peacekeeper is injured. This would include a lump sum grant, and pay allowances consistent with at least middle level personnel employed by the Government of Canada.

A copy of the NCVA Submission is appended herewith.

Submission to Senate Committee on National Security and Defence 

Rationale 

Policy of Canadian Government has been to commit troops for peacekeeping duties in regard to foreign interventions which represent a threat to Canadians. 

Our reputation as a country is involved. It is the view of the National Council of Veteran Associations (NCVA) that Canada make a commitment in regard to peacekeeping duties where governments of foreign countries represent a threat to our peace and security. 

Duty Of Foreign Commitments 

The commitment to sacrifice one's life in military service represents the highest degree of support for our principles of democracy. Other countries have always looked to Canada to share responsibility in this regard. Any dereliction of such responsibility at this time would destroy the long-established reputation of Canada in regard to security of its peoples. 

Compensation 

Commitment of Canadians to carry this responsibility represents a human sacrifice which calls for maximum effort. Such duty should be: 

• Acceptance of an implied contract between the peacekeeper and Canada .

• The pay and allowances for persons undertaking this type of sacrifice demands compensation far beyond present concepts. For example: pay and allowances for private soldiers in World War II were based on the pay of a cleaner and helper in the public service of Canada; that is, $1.10 per day plus below-standard compensation for legitimate dependants.

Equipment 

Historians and military personnel are consistent in stating that the arms and equipment for Canadians placed in harm's way in World War II were much inferior to the matériel by most Canadian enemy forces, such as Germany and Japan . 

Maximum Expenditure 

Any commitment now by Canadians who volunteer for foreign peacekeeping duties to ensure the security of Canadians requires the maximum expenditure of government funds. 

Escalation 

In order to maintain a reasonable relationship between the requirements to provide funds on behalf of the Canadian public and the expenditures to meet the needs of peacekeepers should be based on armaments of top quality and troops consistent with the highest possible standards. 

Length and Size of Commitment 

The will of the Canadian public must be taken into account to ensure that: 

• A commitment may be terminated at any time.
• Such commitments must be within the prerogative of the United Nations policies.
• The compensation for peacekeepers and the cost to the Canadian taxpayer must be carefully determined prior to any commitment for peacekeeping duties.

Standards 

Only the highest standard of performance is possible, and expenditures for compensation and arms and equipment must be consistent with the requirements to permit Canadian peacekeepers to perform the highest possible degree of military strategies. 

As an example, the pay and allowances of persons placed in harm's way for peacekeeping duties should be based on scales of compensation consistent with, as a minimum, the expenditures for persons employed at the mid-level of pay and allowances in the public service of Canada; that is, $40,000.00 to $50,000.00 per annum, which is considered to be consistent with the high risk involved in regard to death and injury and/or the type of service required. 

Compensation for Survivors 

Scales of compensation for survivors should be based on the following principles: 

• A reasonable scale consistent with the type and length of service.

• The compensation for injury must take into account:
  • The responsibility of the injured peacekeeper.
  • The need to measure the type of commitment involved in foreign service.
   

The maximum payment for death or disability should be based on: 

• Death: a payment consistent with loss of life.
• Loss of opportunity for the injured peacekeeper.
• An immediate cash payment be authorized consistent with recognized diagnosis of a disability.
• Should the injury be of the type with long-term effects, the amount must necessarily be consistent with the loss of opportunity and earnings.

Submitted by H. Clifford Chadderton, Chairman, NCVA 

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