OTTAWA — Veterans Affairs Minister Steven Blaney has ordered a ban on international travel for members of an arm’s-length agency that reviews the claims of veterans.
The order late Tuesday follows growing controversy over expense claims from John Larlee, chairman of the Veterans Review and Appeal Board since 2009.
The Canadian Press reported this week that Larlee took two taxpayer-funded trips to attend lectures in Britain, where his wife was also a participant.
A group representing Canada’s veterans, the Canadian Veterans Advocacy, says the trips are suspect and wants Larlee called to account before a House of Commons committee.
New Democrats went further on Tuesday and demanded he be fired.
The minister turned aside those demands, saying the board is an arm’s-length agency that is accountable for its own actions.
“We will stand by the tribunal and expect all board members to be responsible and show respect for taxpayer dollars at all times,” he told the Commons. “I am confident this board will keep on providing good services for our veterans.”
Canada veteran’s ombudsman tore a strip off the agency last week, saying it failed more often than not to give former soldiers the benefit of the doubt as they appealed benefits claims and didn’t give reasons for denying claims.
NDP veterans critic Peter Stoffer reminded Blaney that he signed off for the chairman’s last trip.
A spokeswoman for the minister, Codi Taylor, confirmed the travel ban Tuesday, but could not say whether any other action was pending.
Larlee attended the Cambridge Lecture series in 2007 at his own expense. But after he was appointed chairman, he billed the federal government for his visits in 2009 and 2011, at a total cost of $7,285.97.
“That kind of money would help a lot of disabled veterans,” Stoffer said. “How does this minister allow that kind of abuse?”
Department sources say Blaney was unaware that Larlee’s wife was attending the Cambridge lecture series when he approved the travel request.
The series, attended by the elite of Canadian and British political and legal communities, focuses on international policy. with topics such as Afghanistan and the market collapse.