Preserving capacity, General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff, Keys to Canadian SAR
Issue link: http://vanguardcanada.uberflip.com/i/235053
T The Last Word Chief Warrant Officer Guy Parent (retired) was appointed as the second Veterans Ombudsman in November 2010, for a five-year term, following almost 50 years of serving Canadians in many military and civil functions. Canada's commitment to Veterans: A matter of national security These issues are a priority for me and for the veterans' comThe men and women who serve in the Canadian Armed Forces munity; they also need to be front and centre for the security and (CAF) willingly accept the risks to their health and life that are defence community. If we want Canadians to serve in the CAF, inherent to military service. But, while they accept these risks, the they need to be confident that, should they be injured or become realization that one's professional military career and way of life ill because of their service to Canada, they will receive the support is over because of injury or illness can be devastating and can put they need. significant stress on the individual and his or her family as they What are the next steps? After a broad-based consultation with contemplate an uncertain future. veterans and veterans' organization last spring, the Office of the The government of Canada has an obligation to help these inveterans Ombudsman researched and published a review of the jured or ill service personnel rebuild their lives and restore, to the New veterans Charter to serve as a common greatest possible extent, their health, finanfactual reference to guide discussion about cial independence, and quality of personal If we do not deal with and family life. That is why improving the the shortfalls in how we the Charter. In early fall, we followed-up with a report with recommendations and New veterans Charter is so important and why it needs to be included in discussions of support Veterans now, we an Actuarial Analysis to channel action on national security. We cannot deny that how know from history that specific New veterans Charter program areas that need improvement. we treat our veterans affects the ability of The report's analysis of benefits and prothe CAF to successfully recruit and retain more improvements will its members. So, does it not make sense to be required in the future grams pinpoints exactly where the current New veterans Charter benefits are start taking veterans issues into account in because as the nature of suite ofsome veterans today, and will confailing the national security continuum for both conflict changes, so too tinue to fail more tomorrow unless changes strategic and planning purposes? What do we need to do? We need to be do the needs of men and are made quickly. If we address and fix the shortcomings related to financial support, able to communicate clearly to every potenwomen in uniform. vocational rehabilitation and family suptial and current member of the Canadian port, I believe that we will make a signifiArmed Forces that no matter what type of cant difference for veterans and their families and at the same time service-related injury or illness they sustain, there are opportunities enable Canada's national security objectives ahead for them. We need to strengthen the transition process and If we do not deal with the shortfalls in how we support veterans create more and better opportunities through world class vocationnow, we know from history that more improvements will be real training and partnerships with industry. We need to help families quired in the future because as the nature of conflict changes, so so that they are better informed, supported and compensated for too do the needs of men and women in uniform. the critical, behind-the-scenes support they provide to our men and This is why I am recommending that a regular two-year review women in uniform and our veterans. And above all, we need to of the New veterans Charter be enshrined in the legislation so that provide injured and ill veterans with financial security during the it continues to adapt to the evolving needs of serving men and transition from a military to civilian career, or for life for those who women, veterans and their families and that it continues also to live are unable to return to work because of their disability. up to the government's affirmation that it is a living charter. We need to do these things so that transitioning veterans can We have built on the past to get to the present. Let us now build look forward to the future with enthusiasm and a sense of purpose on the present to get to the future. All the tools are in place to do rather than feeling overwhelmed by the present. For too many it now without undue delay. It affects our national security and veterans today, support shortcomings and inadequate communiour veterans and their families deserve no less. cations are creating a dissatisfaction and disillusionment with how Canada supports them. 46 DECEMBER 2013/JANUARY 2014 www.vanguardcanada.com C Th re Go C M TH • • • TH In yo in m Sc FO