Parliamentary Secretary Lemieux delivers keynote address at Royal Canadian Legion Convention

NIAGARA FALLS, ON, May 11, 2015 /CNW/ - On behalf of the Honourable Erin O'Toole, Minister of Veterans Affairs, Parliamentary Secretary Pierre Lemieux delivered the key note address at the Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Provincial Command's 49^th Biennial Convention.

Parliamentary Secretary Lemieux highlighted the Government of Canada's commitment to ensuring Veterans and their families have the support and services they need by introducing the following new measures:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• The hiring of new front-line staff to improve one-on-one support for Veterans.

The Government of Canada continues to ensure that Canadian Veterans and their families have the support they need and are treated with care, compassion and respect.

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).
• The Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) is the largest Veterans' organization in Canada. The RCL strives to make a difference in the lives of Veterans and their families, provide essential services within our communities, and remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
• The Ontario Command of the Royal Canadian Legion comprises over 400 branches throughout Ontario. With a total membership of more than 160,000, the Legion's Ontario Command is the largest service-oriented organization in Ontario.

Quote

"As the largest Veterans' organization in Canada, the Royal Canadian Legion does great work supporting Veterans and their families. I was honoured to meet with members at the Ontario Command's 49^th Biennial Convention on ways we can work together to improve the well-being of those who have served our nation in uniform."
Pierre Lemieux, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs

Associated Links

• Veterans Affairs Canada Services
• Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Command

SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada

Martin Magnan, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Veterans of Affairs, 613-996-4649; Media Relations, Veterans Affairs Canada, 613-992-7468