NATO Veterans Organization of Canada Organisation canadienne des vtrans de lOTAN

A Voice for todays Veterans ~ Une voix pour les vtrans d'aujourd'hui 35 Biscayne Crescent Ottawa Ontario K2E 5R9 Tel 613-723-1581

30 May 2012

Minister Steven Blaney P.C., MP 66 Slater Street Ottawa ON K1A 0P4

Dear Minister Blaney: I am writing to you on behalf of the NATO Veterans Organization of Canada to once again express our concern at the lack of Long Term Health Care for our aging Modern Day Veterans. For the past 18 months we have continually expressed our concerns to you and your staff at every opportunity about the disparity in health care policy and legislation that exists between Traditional and Modern Day Veterans. We are well aware of the conditions outlined in the Pension Act and the New Veterans Charter, neither of which makes any provision for Long Term Care of Modern Day Veterans not in receipt of a disability pension. That Mr. Minister is what we have been asking you and your staff to correct. We had all been very hopeful that our many hours of developing position papers and the hours of deliberations during the recent Stakeholders meeting, where Long Term Care was at the forefront of our discussions, would finally yield some benefits to our aging compatriots. Unfortunately our hopes were dashed when we received the transcript of the proceedings of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs of May 8th, 2012. Mr. Bernard Butler, your Director General, Policy and Research Division, when describing the innovations of the New Veterans Charter as compared to the benefits under the Pension Act stated in partWe moved away from an old compensationbased game through a monthly benefits payable under the Pension Act.. I can tell you that I know of no veteran who ever considered any part of compensation as a game. The transcript goes on to further emphasize that no Modern Day Veteran will be considered for Long Term Care unless they are in receipt of a Disability Pension.

It has been a known fact for many years that few, in any, professions or occupations are more challenging and demanding on the human body and the mind than Military Service for ones country, in our case Canada. Many retire in apparent good health without a disability pension; however, within a few years the accumulation of endless months and years of physical and mental stress takes its toll on the body and mind. Under current Veterans Affairs Policy we have no recourse other than to turn to the appropriate Provincial Health Care Agencies for help. The projected figures of veterans which your staff is forecasting out to 2020 are not close to reality unless the current military strength is suddenly reduced by half. Within five years we will experience the aftermath of the stress created by our involvement Afghanistan. Under your current Long Term Care policies these soldiers, Modern Day Veterans all, will be entitled to the same care available to all Post Korea Veterans today Contact your Provincial Health Care Agency. Mr. Blaney, its time you and the staff of Veterans Affairs started to listen to those of us who have worn the uniform with pride. We cant all be wrong. We modern day veterans are becoming extremely frustrated. Regards

Gordon Jenkins President NATO Veterans Organization of Canada www.natoveterans.org