Systemic Reviews

The Office of the Veterans Ombudsman, created by Order in Council (P.C. 207-530, April 3, 2007), works to ensure that Veterans, serving members of the Canadian Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and other clients of Veterans Affairs Canada are treated respectfully, in accordance with the Veterans Bill of Rights, and receive the services and benefits that they require in a fair, timely and efficient manner.

The parliamentary committee review of the enhancements to the Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act, commonly known as the New Veterans Charter, is to be undertaken by October 2013. It will be an important opportunity for the Government of Canada, Veterans and their families, Veterans organizations and Canadians to examine how well the New Veterans Charter is living up to the expectations placed upon it by the parliamentarians who unanimously supported its enactment in 2006. They envisioned it to be a “living” charter that would evolve over time to meet the changing needs of Veterans and their families.

This review has been undertaken to provide a common basis of understanding of the Department’s current role in the funding of long-term care benefits for Veterans. It addresses three areas, namely eligibility, accessibility and the cost of the Program.

The paper reflects the areas of the New Veterans Charter that the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman believes are most important and urgent to address. In particular, it places emphasis on specific program areas that directly affect the transition of Veterans from military to civilian life, namely, financial, vocational rehabilitation and assistance, and family support programs.

I am pleased to submit to you the report Veterans' Right to Disclosure: A Matter of Procedural Fairness. The report contains the results of our examination of the Department's application process for disability pensions and disability awards. The objective was to determine if the process to prepare the application package that disability adjudicators use to render decisions is compliant with the legislation and procedurally fair.

The Office of the Veterans Ombudsman, created by Order in Council,works to ensure that Veterans, serving members of the Canadian Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and other clients of Veterans Affairs Canada are treated respectfully, in accordance with the Veterans Bill of Rights, and receive the services and benefits that they require in a fair, timely and efficient manner.

Veterans and serving members of the Canadian Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who suffer an illness or disability related to their service may apply to Veterans Affairs Canada for disability pensions or disability awards. One of the most important rights to which Veterans and other applicants are entitled is the right to appeal decisions made by the Department to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board...

The Office of the Veterans Ombudsman, created by Order in Council, works to ensure that Veterans, serving members of the Canadian Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and other clients of Veterans Affairs Canada are treated respectfully, in accordance with the Veterans Bill of Rights, and receive the services and benefits that they require in a fair, timely and efficient manner.

This report details the findings of the administrative review of the Funeral and Burial Program conducted by the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman. The review was guided by the belief that Veterans who have served and sacrificed for their country deserve to depart with dignity.