Canadian Veterans Advocacy

Friday, February 1, 2013

Auditor General Michael Ferguson's 2012 Fall Report, which includes an audit of the Government of Canada's support for ill and injured military personnel in their transition to civilian life:

Auditor General Michael Ferguson’s 2012 Fall Report, which includes an audit of the Government of Canada’s support for ill and injured military personnel in their transition to civilian life:


Main Points
What we examined

From 2006 to 2011, 8,026 Canadian Forces members were released from the military because of an injury or illness that ended their military career. Ill and injured members and veterans of the Canadian Forces have access to a variety of services, programs, and financial benefits to support their transition from military to civilian life.

Support services and benefits, including those available under the New Veterans Charter, are provided, coordinated, and managed primarily by the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces, and Veterans Affairs Canada.

Our audit looked at selected services and benefits provided to support eligible Canadian Forces members and veterans in their transition to civilian life. We examined how the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces, and Veterans Affairs Canada manage those services and benefits.

We did not look at whether Canadian Forces members and veterans have received all benefits and services for which they were eligible. Neither did we examine the fairness of departmental services and benefits available, or the quality of medical treatment and care provided.

Audit work for this chapter was completed on 17 July 2012. More details on the conduct of the audit are in About the Audit at the end of the chapter.
Why it’s important

Ill and injured members of the Canadian Forces and their families may need support in making the transition to civilian life and in coping with their illnesses and injuries. Others who have left the military may develop physical and/or mental health problems over time that are associated with their military service and become eligible for support. Research shows that early detection and appropriate treatment of illness and injuries can have a critical impact on the success of this support, which amounted to about $500 million in the 2010–11 fiscal year.

How well National Defence and the Canadian Forces, and Veterans Affairs Canada coordinate and manage this support affects the quality of the transition to civilian life that ill and injured Canadian Forces members and veterans are able to make.
What we found

    * Canadian Forces members and veterans, as well as departmental staff responsible for assessing eligibility and managing the delivery of services and benefits, find the transition process complex, lengthy, and challenging to navigate. Although National Defence and the Canadian Forces, and Veterans Affairs Canada recognize the challenges and have been working independently and jointly on solutions, it remains difficult to access services and benefits in a timely manner. Reasons include the complexity of eligibility criteria, lack of clear information on support available, the amount of paperwork involved, and case management services that require further improvement.
    * Both departments have difficulties in communicating and meeting service delivery standards and requirements, particularly as they relate to assessments and case management services. The result may be that Forces members and veterans do not receive benefits and services to which they are entitled, or do not receive them in a timely manner.
    * An overarching governance framework has been established to coordinate, harmonize, and communicate the various programs, services, and benefits available to ill and injured Forces members and veterans. However, it does not specify the authority, responsibility, and accountability of the joint steering committee—the key coordinating mechanism meant to help manage the transition, reintegration, and continuity of support to Forces members and veterans. In addition, measurable objectives and specific timelines have not been established for all joint priorities approved by the committee. The existence of similar income support and vocational rehabilitation programs within each department continues to create confusion and difficulties for veterans and program staff alike.

The departments have responded. The departments agree with all of the recommendations. Their detailed responses follow the recommendations throughout the chapter.

Full report here: http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_oag_201210_04_e_37348.html

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