News Releases

Veterans Ombudsman Recognizes Exceptional Leadership in the Veterans Community

Guy Parent, Canada’s Veterans Ombudsman, awarded the Veterans Ombudsman’s Commendation to four individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership on behalf of Veterans.

“These individuals’ remarkable efforts contribute to the betterment of the lives of Canadian Veterans.” said  Mr.  Parent. “I am very pleased to acknowledge their exemplary commitment to the fair treatment of Veterans and their families, the work they do is truly admirable.”

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Veterans Ombudsman Calls for the Issuance of a Veterans Identification Card and the Formal Recognition of Former RCMP Members as Veterans

Today, the Veterans Ombudsman released a report entitled Honouring and Connecting with Canada’s Veterans: a National Veterans Identification Card, in which he recommends to the Minister of Veterans Affairs the formal recognition of former RCMP members as Veterans for commemorative purposes and the issuance of an official identification card for Canada’s Veterans.

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Veterans Ombudsman to Take Role in Sunnybrook Audit

Today, Guy Parent, Canada’s Veterans Ombudsman, informed the Minister of Veterans Affairs of his intention to act as an observer to the team conducting the audit of Sunnybrook Hospital.

“Recent allegations regarding the treatment of Veterans at Sunnybrook Hospital are of great concern to me. I welcome the Minister’s call for an audit of the facility. That said, as Veterans Ombudsman, I want to ensure that the audit to be carried out by Veterans Affairs Canada is as thorough as necessary to fully identify and address issues of concern.”

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Remembrance Day 2012: An Open Letter to Canadians from the Veterans Ombudsman

We come together during Veterans’ Week to pay tribute to those who have lost their life in service to our country. We recognize the more than 750,000 Veterans in Canada who have served our country honourably – as part of the Canadian Forces and the RCMP – both here and abroad, in times of peace and times of conflict. And we acknowledge the men and women who continue to serve today.

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Veterans Ombudsman Calls On Veterans Affairs Canada to Meet its Legislative Obligation to Provide Reasons for its Decisions

On 20 February, 2012, the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman released a report entitled Veterans' Right to Know Reasons for Decisions: A Matter of Procedural Fairness. This report examined the adequacy of information provided by Veterans Affairs Canada in their decision letters to Veterans who apply for disability pensions or disability awards.

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Veterans Ombudsman Says Rules Used by Veterans Affairs Canada to Determine Eligibility for the Agent Orange Ex Gratia Payment Are Unfair

Today, Canada's Veterans Ombudsman Guy Parent renewed his call to Veterans Affairs Canada to grant Agent Orange ex gratia payment claims that are being denied to eligible claimants. Parent says that the claims in question are based on eligibility criteria that are clearly not compliant with the intent of the Order in Council (SI/2007-87 and SI/2010-96) that established the Agent Orange ex gratia payment.

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