Ottawa ON
Canada
February 23rd, 2023, Ottawa, ON – Colonel (Ret’d) Nishika Jardine, Veterans Ombud, released a letter she has written to the Minister of Veterans Affairs highlighting unfairness in the way Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) is reducing Disability Pensions for some Merlo Davidson class action settlement claimants.
Following a complaint from the Chair of the RCMP Veterans Women’s Council, made on behalf of Merlo Davidson class action settlement claimants, the Office of the Veterans Ombud reviewed the complaint and found unfairness.
To correct this unfairness the Veterans Ombud made two recommendations to the Minister:
- That VAC immediately cease Disability Pension reductions for Merlo Davidson levels 1 and 2 claimants, and issue corrective payments to women who have had their pensions reduced.
- That VAC publish the methodology for determining whether and in what amount Merlo Davidson compensation constitutes compensation for a pensioned disability, and if unable to do so, immediately cease Disability Pension reductions for claimants at levels 3 to 6 and issue corrective payments to those who have had their pensions reduced.
"I am concerned about the well-being of these former members of the RCMP who have already suffered enough. I ask that Veterans Affairs Canada act immediately to fix this unfairness."
- Nishika Jardine, Veterans Ombud
Quick Facts:
- In 2017, the Federal Court approved the settlement of the Merlo Davidson class action. This agreement aims to resolve the claims of the class members who experienced gender and/or sexual-orientation based harassment and discrimination while working in the RCMP.
Link to letter: https://ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca/en/publications/systemic-reviews/merlo-davidson-settlement-compensation
Media Relations Contact:
Lucille Hodgins
Tel: 613-617-7205
Email: Lucille.hodgins@ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca