Minister of Veterans Affairs highlights Government's commitment to improving supports for Veterans and their families Français
The Honourable Erin O'Toole addresses Rotary Meadowvale
MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 10, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Erin O'Toole, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today joined Brad Butt, Member of Parliament for Mississauga–Streetsville, at a Rotary Meadowvale luncheon focussed on care, compassion and respect for Canada's Veterans.
During the keynote address, Minister O'Toole highlighted recent initiatives introduced by the Government of Canada to enhance support and services for Veterans and their families, such as:
- The new Retirement Income Security Benefit, which would provide moderately to severely disabled Veterans—those who need it most—with continued assistance in the form of a monthly income support payment beginning at age 65.
- The new Family Caregiver Relief Benefit, which would provide eligible Veterans with a tax-free, annual grant of $7,238 so that their informal caregivers—who are often their spouse or other devoted family members—will have flexibility or relief when they need it, while also ensuring that the Veterans' care needs are met.
- Effective April 1, 2015, broadened eligibility criteria for the Permanent Impairment Allowance (PIA) which, together with the PIA Supplement, provides approximately $600 to $2,800 a month in lifelong monthly financial support to Veterans whose employment potential and career advancement opportunities have been limited by a permanent service-related injury or illness.
- Effective April 1, 2015, enhanced benefits for injured part-time Reserve Force Veterans, who will now be assured the same minimum income support payment through the Earnings Loss Program as full-time Reserve Force and Regular Force Veterans.
- The proposed new Critical Injury Benefit (CIB) which will provide a $70,000 tax-free award to support the most severely injured and ill Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and Veterans.
Minister O'Toole and MP Butt also met with Veterans in Mississauga to gain their perspectives on key issues facing Veterans and their families.
Quick Facts
- On March 30, 2015, the Honourable Erin O'Toole, Minister of Veterans Affairs, introduced the Support for Veterans and their Families Act to provide new support for CAF members, Veterans and their families.
- Proposed new services and expanded eligibility for existing programs are expected to benefit thousands of Veterans and their families today and in the future.
- Many of the measures introduced respond directly to the recommendations of Veterans' advocates, including the Veterans Ombudsman and the House of Commons Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (ACVA).
- Rotary is made up of more than 34,000 clubs, with 1.2 million members.
- Rotary Meadowvale supports programs to improve the quality of life for certain segments of the population in the urban community, including the homeless, single-parent families, recent immigrants and the poor.
Quotes
"I was honoured to address Rotary Meadowvale and meet with Veterans in Mississauga–Streetsville on the new ways our Government is supporting Veterans and their families. We have made major strides in enhancing benefits for our most seriously injured and their families."
The Honourable Erin O'Toole, Minister of Veterans Affairs
"I am pleased Minister O'Toole is taking the time to meet with Veterans right here in Mississauga–Streetsville. Today's meeting was a great opportunity to learn about the issues facing those who have served and their families."
Brad Butt, Member of Parliament for Mississauga–Streetsville
"We are honoured to welcome Minister O'Toole to our luncheon today. We are pleased to see his passion and continuous efforts to ensure Veterans and their families get the support they need."
Mark Cashin, President, Rotary Meadowvale
Associated Links
SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada
Martin Magnan, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs, 613-996-4649; Media Relations, Veterans Affairs Canada, 613-992-7468
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