OTTAWA, ON, December 28, 2005 - The National Council of Veteran Associations (54 member-groups) has today indicated full approval regarding a recommendation from Stephen Harper, leader of the Conservative Party, calling for a Veterans Bill of Rights.  A key ingredient would be the appointment of a veterans ombudsman.

Cliff Chadderton, Chairman of the NCVA, has stated that the appointment of a pension review board (now called the Veterans Review and Appeal Board) which was appointed as a result of the three year study carried out by the

Committee to review the Veterans Pension Act is a “very necessary step” to correct the inequalities in the administration of veterans benefits by the Federal Government.

Chadderton stated that he was instructed by his organization to prepare a report on the failings of Federal Minister Albina Guarnieri and the Liberal Government generally in regard to handling of veterans problems.  This report was forwarded to representatives of the Conservative Party, as required by the Constitution of NCVA, on December 16, 2005.

Chadderton stated that Veterans Affairs had “grabbed off” the opportunity to portray a picture of support for veterans in 2005 - - the Year of the Veteran.

He stated that this did not match with the results involved in complaints passed to him by many of the member-associations of his National Council.

He pointed out in particular that the Woods Committee had recommended a Pension Review Board but added a further recommendation that the veteran might better be served by an ombudsman.  That report was submitted to the Government in 1972.

The major failing in the Veterans Review and Appeal Board is the fact that the appointments are all made by the Liberal Government and it is the feeling of NCVA that the Prime Minister has used the Veterans Appeal Board as a sinecure for persons who had served the Liberal Party.  Only two of the sitting members are veterans of the Armed Forces.  They, along with the rest of the 31 member board, are out and out political appointments, according to Chadderton.

This has resulted in strong political overtones in the handling of veterans complaints. 

He pointed out that in a CPAC hour-long program titled Sunday Soundoff, 14 complaints were raised.  None of the respondents on the program were satisfied with the handling of their cases by Veterans Affairs.