Legion Optimistic with Federal Budget

OTTAWA, March 24, 2016 /CNW/ - Mr. Tom Eagles, Dominion President of The Royal Canadian Legion expressed his optimism with the federal budget. "I am optimistic with the level of progress being made regarding the VAC priorities listed in the VAC Minister's mandate letter," says Eagles.

On 13 November 2015 the Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada, Kent Hehr, received a mandate letter from the Prime Minister of Canada which included an extensive and costly list of 15 priorities that the current Government had promised in the recent federal election regarding Veterans. The federal budget announced today addresses five of these priorities (e.g. increase in the Disability Award under the New Veterans Charter which will be indexed and retroactive to 2006, increasing access to Permanent Impairment Allowance – now called the Career Impact Allowance, improving the ratio of case managers to clients, greater access to the Last Post Fund, and re-opening all of the VAC offices that were closed recently plus a new one in Surrey, BC). The Legion is also pleased with the increase in Affordable Housing that will assist our low income, homeless and near homeless Veterans and their families. The increase in the GIS for seniors is also welcomed.

Veterans' expectations were raised quite high with an aggressive agenda set forth by the current government and it is understood that a lot of work is still required to meet the mandate letter. But we are confident that our Veterans will not be left in limbo while the current Government's new set of priorities take effect.

"Promises made during the federal election should be promises kept between elections and the Royal Canadian Legion will continue to advocate for our Veterans to ensure they receive the care, compassion and the respect they deserve," adds Eagles.

SOURCE The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command

For further information please contact Bruce Poulin at Dominion Command, at [phone] ext. 241 or by cell at [phone] or [email protected].