Colonel (Ret’d) Nishika Jardine, Veterans Ombud, Releases 2021 Report Card

Ottawa ON
Canada

November 25, 2021 – Ottawa, ON  The Office of the Veterans Ombud (OVO) today released its 2021 Report Card. As of March 31, 2021, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) has fully or partially implemented 68%, or 52 of our 76 still valid recommendations made since 2007.  The remaining 24 recommendations are primarily focused on fair and timely access to VAC programs and services, and on Veteran, family and caregiver health and well-being.

This is the OVO’s fourth Report Card: the first was released in 2017; none was released in 2020. Before 2017, the government was making progress implementing OVO recommendations, but in the years since, it has fallen behind in providing equitable access to Veterans’ benefits and services.  Since 2017, the OVO has made 26 new recommendations, but the government has addressed only six either partially or fully. 

While many of these recommendations require legislative or regulatory change, the Government needs to do more to fulfill its obligation to those who have served our country. It must regularly review and update legislation and regulations to correct the identified inequities affecting the provision of benefits and services to Veterans and their families who suffer from service-related illness or injuries. This is not happening.

By far, the largest number of complaints received by the Office of the Veterans Ombud are about significant delays in the processing of disability, or pain and suffering compensation, claims. Immediate action is required to ensure that Veterans do not experience unfairness because of this backlog. No Veteran should have to wait longer because of their gender or first language.

A number of other outstanding recommendations include Veteran independence and long term care; compensation for family members who provide care for Veterans; and mental health treatment for family members for mental health conditions related to service. 
 

Quote:
“No Veteran or family member who has a service-related need for care and support should be left behind because of a systemic unfairness. The government is falling behind in taking action to ensure equitable access to VAC benefits and services for Veterans and their families.  I look forward to seeing meaningful progress on our recommendations.”

- Colonel (Ret’d) Nishika Jardine, Veterans Ombud

 

Related Link:
2021 Report Card: https://ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca/en/publications/reports-reviews/2021-report-card

Media Relations Contact:
Lucille Hodgins
Tel: 613-943-7884 or 613-617
Email: lucille.hodgins@canada.ca

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