Ottawa ON
Canada
The 2015-2016 Annual Report of the Veterans Ombudsman was tabled yesterday in the House of Commons by the Minister of Veterans Affairs. Reporting on the period from April 2015 to March 2016, the Annual Report covers all activities of the Veterans Ombudsman, and demonstrates the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman’s influence in effecting change and informing policy for Veterans and their families. Not only does it encapsulate 2015-2016 achievements, it is also a bridge to what lies ahead.
“Last year was an important year for Veterans and their families, with several announcements on improvements to benefits and services,” said Veterans Ombudsman Guy Parent. “I am pleased that many of these announcements were based on recommendations made previously by the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman and addressed in the Minister of Veterans Affairs’ Mandate Letter and Budget 2016.”
Veterans from across the country reached out to the Veterans Ombudsman and his team for assistance in 2015-2016. In the over 6,500 communications received from Veterans and their families, the main issues related to the New Veterans Charter, the Pension Act, the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, the Bureau of Pension Advocates and Veterans’ health care regulations.
In 2015-2016, the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman released the following Reviews and Reports:
- Veterans’ Right to Disclosure and to Know Reasons for Decisions: The Follow-Up Report, the 5th report of the Procedural Fairness series.
- My Five Years as Veterans Ombudsman, a report on what the Veterans Ombudsman and his team has done to help resolve issues of concern to Canada’s Veterans and their families, the challenges they faced and what is left to do.
- Three educational pieces on transition of medically-released members, in conjunction with the DND/CF Ombudsman’s Office.
- Support to Military Families in Transition: A Review, a document that compiles support provided to military families and provides an update on recommendations made in relation to families.
“Going forward, I will continue to strive for improvements to ensure better outcomes for Veterans and their families. I am hopeful that the government’s commitment to a Veteran-centric approach to solving Veterans’ issues can shape a better tomorrow for Canada’s Veterans and their families.”