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Notices |
Updated: 10 Aug 2021 |
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Suicide
Hotline 1.800-273-TALK (8255)
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Vets Pension Error
Miscalculation of Disability Pensions Class Action https://vetspensionerror.ca/ Vets Pension Error Claim filed 30 Oct 2019 VVi 10 Aug 2021 db Veterans Affairs Canada administers certain disability benefits for current and former members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which must be adjusted annually. The class proceeding seeks damages for alleged underpayments that occurred because of errors in the calculation of annual adjustments under section 75 of the Pension Act. ABOUT THE ACTION Annual adjustment provisions under Part V of the Pension Act require that the basic pension amounts listed in Schedule I be adjusted annually based on the statutory formula in section 75 of the Pension Act. Annual adjustments ensure that basic monthly disability pensions and awards keep pace with the cost of living and price inflation. The annual adjustments are based on calculations that take into account: (a) annual increases in the Canadian Consumer Price Index; and (b) average wages of certain categories of federal public sector employees minus income tax for a single person calculated in the province with the lowest combined provincial and federal income tax rate (“Wage Rate”). On 5 November 2018, Canada’s Veterans Ombudsman announced that his office had discovered that Veterans Affairs Canada (“VAC”) had failed to factor the basic provincial tax credit into the Wage Rate used in indexing calculations under section 75 of the Pension Act, which resulted in “an accounting indexation error” by VAC and lower annual adjustment rates than what the rates would have been in the absence of the error. This error led to reduced payments to eligible recipients of disability benefits. The Veterans Ombudsman reported that VAC estimated that this error affected about “270,000 Veterans” of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as well as “survivors and their estates”. The Government of Canada has publicly acknowledged this error and announced that $165 million had been secured for correcting the error, which Canada has said it will pay out without interest. Based on access to information requests and other investigations made since the Veterans Ombudsman discovered the original indexation error, the Plaintiffs have learned about additional errors in VAC’s annual indexing calculations under section 75 of the Pension Act, and allege: * VAC failed, from 2002 to present, to calculate the Wage Rate using the province or territory with the lowest combined provincial and federal income tax rate (the Nunavut income tax rate should have been used instead of the rates applicable in Ontario and British Columbia); * VAC failed, from 2007 to present, to include the Canada Employment Amount in its calculation of the Wage Rate; and * VAC failed, from 2002 to present, to include the Northern Resident Deduction in its calculation of the Wage Rate. The Plaintiffs allege that affected individuals are entitled to interest on the amounts wrongfully withheld and that they are entitled to equitable compensation for loss of use of entitlements on the amounts wrongfully withheld. CLASS MEMBERS On 23 December 2020, the Federal Court certified the action as a class proceeding. The class is defined as: All members and former members of the Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and their spouses, common law partners, dependants, survivors, orphans, and any other individuals, including eligible estates of all such persons, who received – at any time between 2002 and the present – disability pensions, disability awards, and other benefits from Veterans Affairs Canada that were affected by the annual adjustment of the basic pension under section 75 of the Pension Act including, but not limited to, the awards and benefits listed at Schedule “A” of the certification order: * Pension Act: pension for disability; pension for death; attendance allowance; allowance for wear and tear of clothing or for specially made apparel; and exceptional incapacity allowance; * Veterans Well-being Act: disability award; and clothing allowance; * Veterans Well-being Regulations: remuneration of an escort; * Veterans Health Care Regulations: remuneration of an escort; and treatment allowance; * Veterans Review and Appeal Board Act: compassionate award; * Civilian War-related Benefits Act: war pensions and allowances for salt water fishers, overseas headquarters staff, and air raid precautions workers; and injury for remedial treatment of various persons and voluntary aid detachment (World War II); * Children of Deceased Veterans Education Assistance Act: monthly allowance for education; and * Flying Accidents Compensation Regulations: flying accidents compensation. See more... |
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 PARATROOPER
REUNION 2023 VVi 10 Oct 20220 The Airborne Social Club (Edmonton) has confirmed they will host a Paratroopers Reunion in Edmonton during the above period. This reunion is open to all former members of the Canadian Airborne Regiment; current and former members - Regular and Reserve Force Parachute Units/Elements; former members of the Canadian Airborne Centre; former members Canadian Forces Parachute Maintenance Depot; 1 Canadian Parachute Association; current and former paratroopers members of Search and Rescue Squadrons/Elements; Allied Paratroopers; and all other paratroopers, whether or not they have served in an active parachute role or not. In addition to the above members themselves, a grateful welcome is extended to all Honorary Club members, wives, spouses and partners of members no longer with us. While no specific theme has been established, members of the Club are at the initial planning stages and will provide specific details on a periodic basis. Although we are endeavouring to reach as many as possible via all means possible, it is requested that you pass on this information to those you are in contact with and who we may not have contacted. Open PDF... See more... |
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 Veterans
Foodbank AssociationVVi 02 Apr 2021 no Our Mission The Veterans Association Food Bank is dedicated to supporting and enriching the lives of Veterans and their families. Our Vision As a community of Veterans helping Veterans, we will be the support base where together we create healthy and resilient futures. Who We Serve The Veterans Association Food Bank recognizes any person who is currently serving or has honourably served in the Canadian Armed Forces. The Veterans Association Food Bank also recognizes and offers support to those currently serving, honourably discharged or honourably released Commonwealth Allies, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Peacekeepers, Merchant Marines, or Ferry Command (Coast Guard). Support will be extended to spouses, widows, widowers, and any dependent children in need. Proof of military service or affiliation required. See more... |
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Valour in the Presence of the Enemy VVi 22 Feb 2021 Our mandate is to try to get a Canadian Victoria Cross awarded to an Afghanistan veteran. To achieve this goal we are going to put on a two hour special that highlights the actions of ten soldiers and then you the viewer decides who you would award the most prestigious medal to. Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/Valour-in-the-Presence-of-the-Enemy-115919716985560 |
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Canadian
Soldiers Assistance Team (CSAT) Forum Newsletter - This is a VVi
forum. |
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Mefloquine Lawsuit Lawyers in CanadaVVi 19 Oct 2020 Introduction to Mefloquine and its Effects Mefloquine is an anti-malarial medication, which was often prescribed for members of the Canadian Armed Forces who were deployed to malaria-prevalent areas such as Somalia, Rwanda and Afghanistan. However, there are many serious side effects associated with the use of Mefloquine, some of which are especially problematic for circumstances experienced by military personnel. These side effects include, but are not limited to: anxiety, paranoia, psychotic behaviour, depression, thoughts of suicide, and hallucinations. The warning labels for Mefloquine by Health Canada were revised in 2016 to include the above side effects, emphasizing the severity and duration of these effects. Despite allegedly finding that Mefloquine does not have long-term effects, the Canadian Armed Forces now only prescribes Mefloquine as the last line of prevention or treatment for malaria. Legal History and Action In 2001, a class action was commenced for veterans who served in Somalia and who were ordered to take Mefloquine. This action was commenced in Ontario against the Canadian government, among others. However, in 2018 this class action was dismissed for delay. In late 2018, Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP partnered with Waddell Phillips PC to represent individual mass tort claims for all veterans who were required to take Mefloquine from 1992 onwards. For more information on the difference between a class action and mass tort actions, please see our article here. The Mefloquine Issue Canadian veterans who were deployed to various locations including Somalia, Rwanda and Afghanistan in the 1990’s and 2000’s, and who were required to take Mefloquine, have come forward claiming they are now suffering from serious and long-term side effects from the anti-malarial drug. Many veterans claim they suffered one or more of these significant side effects after they were ordered to take the anti-malaria drug, which was initially prescribed as part of a clinical trial in Somalia, and then afterwards adopted by the military as their anti-malarial drug of choice. One of the main issues is that the clinical trial did not follow proper procedure. Among its failings, the veterans were not asked to provide their consent and potential side effects were not disclosed to them prior to the trial. Later on, for missions such as those in Rwanda and Afghanistan, the government continued to fail to disclose to its troops the potentially permanent side effects. As a result, they claim the federal government did not meet its duty of care. Veterans are now seeking compensation for the harm and injuries they have suffered as a result of that negligence on the part of their government. Mefloquine is rarely used today in the Canadian military. It was announced in June 2017 by the Department of National Defence that Mefloquine would only be used if someone in the Canadian Armed Forces specifically asked for it, or if there are particular issues with the other anti-malarials (i.e., allergy, interaction or contraindications with other drugs, etc.). Call Today Call us today for a free consultation and to see if you are eligible to join our Mefloquine Lawsuit in Canada. 1-877-771-7006 See more... |
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CANADIAN VETERANS Charles Scott July 14 at 10:40 PM VVi 16 Jul 2020 no ·  Fellow
veterans and Canadians,You may recall that I went public with my battle with VAC in May 2020. I took to Twitter to spread awareness of veterans issues. Veterans issues are non-partisan. If you’d like to follow and support here’s my account. https://twitter.com/CharlesScott223 I hope you are all doing well. Warm regards, Charles Scott Edmonton, AB https://twitter.com/CharlesScott223 You can see the details of the claim at the following locations: CBC at https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/soldier-pension-forgotten-1.5622577?fbclid=IwAR0WfWWWNUt0PA56TVak3QjV1Ch-StL1LBSABXEmsNnCliqJ8C_IRZS_wxw VVI Latest News at http://veteranvoice.info/pages/latestnews.html/3news.html#Twice-forgotten_soldier_sues_Veterans_Affairs |
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VVi Website VVi 25 Jun 2020 This website, www.veteranvoice.info is now available on all devices, including smart phones, and all OSs. If you note any problems, contact webmaster@veteranvoice.info . |
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Deal-Hacks
SAVINGS TIPS & SHOPPING ADVICE |
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Operation Medusa
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Ph.D., R.Psych
403-817-7669
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FREE PREVIEW - RUDE AWAKENING: THE GOVERNMENT'S SECRET WAR AGAINST CANADA'S VETERANS
Colonel (retired) Pat B. Stogran
Following a military career of over thirty years, which includes deployments to Bosnia and Afghanistan, Colonel Pat Stogran becomes Canada’s first Veterans Ombudsman. The new Office of the Veterans Ombudsman is intended to be a symbol of Canada’s commitment to the members and veterans of the Canadian Forces, who accept unlimited liability in the service of our country and often make traumatic, life-altering sacrifices. Colonel Stogran is proud to take the assignment, seeing it as an opportunity to give back to all those who serve. But in the next three years, as he encounters nothing but intransigence and malfeasance in the hallowed halls of government, he undergoes a rude awakening to the cesspool of callousness, deceit, and neglect that is the Government of Canada’s response to the needs of its veterans. Stogran’s exposure to the real Government of Canada, which is hidden from the view of mainstream Canadians, reveals that it is nothing like the myth that has been built up around it as a caring and committed model for the rest of the world. It is an experience he describes as more traumatic than the years he spent in war zones, and it will cause him to question what it really means to be a Canadian. Part shocking exposé, part dire and urgent warning, Rude Awakening reveals a culture of government that victimizes our veterans and could also very well threaten the quality of life we all enjoy as Canadians.
Paperback | December 18, 2015
To purchase see... http://www.amazon.ca/Rude-Awakening-Governments-Against-Veterans-ebook/dp/B019PIKNTK
PAT'S BOOK IS AVAILABLE VIA AMAZON: |
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In 2011, a group of concerned Canadians formed the Equitas Disabled Soldiers Funding Society (Equitas Society – meaning ”Equality”), incorporated pursuant to the Laws of British Columbia, in order to provide these services to our disabled soldiers. a) To raise the awareness of the reduced disability benefits provided to our disabled Canadian soldiers as result of the 2006 New Veterans Charter, b) To raise the funds necessary to pay for the legal disbursement costs of the disabled soldiers who have retained the law firm, Miller Thomson, to address their reduced disability benefits in the courts. - See more at: http://equitassociety.ca/#sthash.Pz2dK3ej.dpuf See more... http://equitassociety.ca/ |
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Vigil
Canada's Sacrifice in Afghanistan Hardcover –
2014 |
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Feed back to publisher@veteranvoice.info is always welcomed. Download the Veteran Aide Memoire: http://veteranvoice.info/ARCHIVE/aide_Memoire/Vet_Aide_Memoire.pdf |
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Were you Prescribed Mefloquine while in MilitaryService? Learn
about the Lawsuit
“A veteran’s right to seek an
appeal to a decision should not be limited by his or her financial
means.”
Indigenous Service Members and Veterans
The
Last Post Fund’s mission is to ensure that no Veteran is denied a
dignified funeral and burial, as well as a military gravestone,
due to insufficient funds at time of death. 
Wounded Warriors Canada
Suicide Prevention Manual (VAC-DND) Release Oct 2017
A
Canadian Infantry Platoon Commander's
story in Sectors West and South of
Croatia in 1993, including the Medak
Pocket. 
Calgary,
Alberta Psychologist
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