DND/CAF OMBUDSMAN Created in 1998 to: Increase openness and - - PDF document

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Gary Walbourne DND and CF Ombudsman

Improvements to the New Veterans Charter and the Successful Transition from Military to Civilian Life

CDA Institute Roundtable 2 Feb 2015

Presentation by Guy Parent Veterans Ombudsman

www.ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca

Created in 1998 to:

• Increase openness and transparency
• Ensure that concerns raised by members of the Defence community are treated

fairly

• Improve the overall quality of life of Canadian Forces members, DND employees,

their families and other constituents Mandate:

• Reports directly to the Minister – completely independent of military

chain of command and senior civilian management

• Authority derived from Ministerial Directives
• Act as a direct source of information, referral and education to assist individuals
• Act as a neutral and objective sounding board, mediator, investigator and reporter

DND/CAF OMBUDSMAN

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VETERANS OMBUDSMAN

Office of the Veterans Ombudsman

• Created in 2007
• Independent from Veterans Affairs Canada
• Reports directly to the Minister of Veterans Affairs

What we do

• Provide information on benefits/services/redress mechanisms
• Provide assistance navigating VAC programs and services
• Facilitate referrals
• Provide complaint resolution
• Intervene to address systemic issues

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• New Veterans

Charter

• Veterans

Ombudsman's Priorities

• Transition Project

O V E R V I E W

Objectives Discuss the need to improve the New Veterans Charter & Review the challenges for Canadian Armed Forces members transitioning from military to civilian Life

OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES

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1. Cost reduction 2. Address transition needs from military to civilian life 3. More access to benefits for spouse and survivors

Why the NVC?

1. Emphasis on “Wellness” vs “Disability” 2. Improved transition 3. Improved survivor benefits 4. Better financial sustainability

Desired Outcomes

NEW VETERANS CHARTER

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NVC DESIGN ELEMENTS

Benefits Sources Types Change

Pain & Suffering Pension Act NVC Disability Pension Allowances Disability Award Death Benefit No No Less More Economic SISIP NVC LTD Payments Earning Loss Benefit Allowances No More More Treatment Veterans Health Care Regulations NVC Treatment VIP LTC More No No Training SISIP NVC Vocational Rehabilitation More

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2089+ 2006 1919 2089+ 2006

Pension Act New Veterans Charter

PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE

140,491 Recipients 48,559 Recipients

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NVC INITIATIVES & IMPACTS

• Improving the New Veterans-Charter: The

Parliamentary Review

• Investing in Veterans' Vocational Training
• Improving the New Veterans Charter: The Report
• Improving the New Veterans Charter: The Actuarial

Analysis

• Supporting Severely Impaired Veterans
• Evidence-based research by creating an informed debate
• Held focus group with all major Veterans’ organizations,

advocates and stakeholders to ensure their input into the discussion

• Catalyst to the ACVA “Review” of the entire NVC
• Its recommendations were supported in the House of Commons

Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs’ Report on the Charter

OVO Initiatives OVO Impacts

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OVO PRIORITIES

Moving towards the future

• 1. Financial security after age 65
• 2. Better access to allowances for those

with greatest needs

• 3. Income parity for reservists
• 4. Better support to families
• 5. No reduction of income during

rehabilitation and transition

• 6. Successful transition from military to

civilian life

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“it is the responsibility of Government to see that Veterans are properly equipped to make a living and that they are not penalized through their war service; it is the responsibility of the men and women to help themselves through the facilities which the Government has established. The third responsibility is that of employers of labour and the Canadian public, as a whole. They must provide opportunity.”

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“Back to Civil Life” - 1944

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Joint Systemic Review

• f the

Transition Process

Step 1 Step 3 Step 5 Step 4 Step 2 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8 Step 9 Step 10

Wait List Complex/non

• complex

ITP Posted to JPSU? CAF VAC Family Status Consent forms Rehab Service Attribution

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PROJECT PHASES

Preliminary research – complete

Phase 1

Research initial analysis – continuing

Phase 2

Findings & Recommendations

Phase 3

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PRELIMINARY FINDINGS

Service Delivery

• Program centric versus member centric
• Families

Service Attribution

• Timing of;
• Benefits and Services
• Priority Hiring (C-27)

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Questions / Discussion

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