Veteran called 'traitor' in note on car

8:10 pm, February 1st, 2013

SARAH FERGUSON | QMI AGENCY

WELLAND, Ont. -- After having coffee at a doughnut shop, Ken Hallett walked outside to his Toyota-made Lexus to head for home.

His daily routine of stopping at the Welland, Ont., coffee shop went from being pleasant to hurtful when he saw a typed note left on the windshield of his car.

The 85-year-old Korean War Veteran told was shocked by the letter that branded him a "traitor" for driving a foreign car. The letter suggested to Hallett that buying foreign cars and "screwing on a veteran plate is a slap in the face" for the men and women who have served for Canada.

"This is hate literature. We (as veterans) fought for our right to freedom and for freedom of speech," Hallet said.
Those rights include proudly displaying veteran status on any car a person chooses to drive.

The veteran said he didn't know who would prepare such a letter nor does he understand why someone would write it.
At least one other veteran in the Welland area has also been tagged.

Hallet pointed out Toyota has manufacturing plants in Canada.

"The public should know what's going on, and whoever is doing it (writing these letters) should have second thoughts about what they are writing," Hallett said.

Niagara Regional Police Const. Derek Watson, referring to the note placed on Hallett's windshield, said, "From a police perspective there is no offence."

However, the NRP spokesman said, "If the recipient feels they are being continuously targeted and are feeling harassed they are encouraged to call the police."

 

More Defence Budget Restraints Being Passed On Down The Chain

A Defence Watch reader reports that DND is considering de-linking rations with quarters. Here is what he writes:

 

“When on course, pers would have to pay for their rations – this is unfair as most quarters don’t allow pers to bring and cook their own food – the charges for rations at CFB Halifax, Juno Tower are, $7/breakfast, $15/lunch and $16/supper. Some courses can run into the months, the French course is a year . . . More budget restraints are being passed on down the chain.”

 

Source: More Defence Budget Restraints Being Passed On Down The Chain

Canadian Forces can't compete with oilsands salaries

CBC News

Posted: Feb 2, 2013 12:30 PM MT

Last Updated: Feb 2, 2013 1:53 PM MT

Read 43 comments43

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Energy competes with army1:58

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What kind of military can Canada afford?

The Canadian Forces is finding it difficult to attract new recruits in Alberta, where a thriving energy sector is competing for the same demographic of skilled young people.

Canadian Forces Capt. Isabelle Jean said military pay doesn't match the range of pay available to oil and gas workers.

"The people that are going into the oilfield, we are competing with them on a salary basis, basically, so we can't compete with that," Jean said.

Last year, the Edmonton detachment recruited 254 regular force personnel from across Alberta, Saskatchewan and the North. Of those who sign up, fewer than 50 per cent are accepted.

Jean says the pitch to young people is increasingly one that highlights career flexibility.

"They can come in, get the skills. And [if] they realize that the military is not made for them then they can go back in the civilian industry and still have those skills," she said.

On Friday, a small crowd gathered at Edmonton Canada Place Service Canada Centre to witness the swearing in of new recruits — just two of them.

Andrei Suba, 22, said it was initially a tough choice to leave his home and his friends, but now he says he's glad to be joining the exclusive group that serves this country.

New recruit Andrei Suba is sworn into the Canadian Forces. He was one of only two new members joining in Edmonton Friday. (CBC)

"I'm definitely ready. I'm so excited to start. I've been waiting a long time for this," he said.

Suba's father served in Romania's air force before coming to Canada, and the family tradition is part of what swayed him away from heading north to the oilsands for quick cash.

"It's money, at the end of the day but also at the end of the day, it's serving your country and there's no better feeling," Suba said.

The two newest members of Canada's military ship out Saturday.

 

PROGRAM OF CHOICE (POC) 12 - RELATED HEALTH SERVICES

VETERANS AFFAIRS CANADA (VAC)

PROGRAM OF CHOICE (POC) 12 – RELATED HEALTH SERVICES
(MASSAGE THERAPISTS)

FREQUENCY CHANGE – ALL PROVINCES

December 2011

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) would like to advise you of a change in the benefit for Massage Therapy under Program of Choice (POC) 12 – Related Health Services (Massage Therapists).

249432 MASSAGE THERAPIST – VISIT

Effective January 1st, 2012, the limit for the benefit code described above will change from $800/CY to 15 one-hour sessions per calendar year. Providers will be reimbursed their usual and customary charges per hourly session up to the maximum rate as indicated on the benefit grid.

Pre-Authorization
Effective March 2011, you no longer need to request an authorization number on a yearly basis for most clients, as this benefit now only requires pre-authorization the very first time a client accesses the benefit. In most cases, you will only need to provide verification that a physician’s prescription has been obtained on a yearly basis. If a client is expected to require more sessions in one calendar year, you must request authorization from the VAC Treatment Authorization Centre (TAC).

In order to avoid delays in payment, it is important to request authorization for additional sessions as soon as it is evident they will be required.

Please communicate this information to the members of your association. Members may direct their inquiries to their regional Blue Cross office by calling toll free 1-888-261-4033.

Thank you for the ongoing care and service you provide to our Veterans.

Two More Fammlies Speak out Against: Sunnybrook Veterans Centre

Sunnybrook. Feb 1 Another family speaks out.

Attached is two more letters I have received from sisters who's father is at Sunnybrook that they have encouraged me to share.

I would note that families or veterans are welcome to speak out on there own behalf but I am very uncomfortable allowing Sunnybrook, as a vested interest, promoting their letters.

Should any family member who's father or mother is a resident as Sunnybrook, past or present, have issues they would like to discuss with me or letters they would like to address, please contact me through the CVA website. Or post direct, as long as the letters are in conformance with the Code of Conduct rules// send a letter by post with permission for me to scan and post in your name.

Sisters testimony

January 30, 2013

Mr. Michael Blais, President
Canadian Veterans’ Advocacy

Dear Michael,

Thank you for listening to my story over the phone yesterday.
I would like to note that we spoke about my 87 year-old father who is on the third floor of the Sunnybrook Veterans’ Residence.
When my father, John, arrived at Sunnybrook Veterans’ Residence on April 3, 2012, he was unable to walk but could talk.

Within a short period of time, with the help of physiotherapy and a positive atmosphere as compared to a general hospital, or home care, he was mobile in a wheelchair. He still has his genuinely caring personality and sense of humour as he always had earlier in his life. With great pleasure we saw him, once again, play the piano.

Sadly, this past Boxing Day, my father suffered a stroke.

Now he cannot speak and is paralyzed on his right side and on one side of his mouth.

The nurses now have more work to do with my father.

Consequently, we have noticed lapses in his care, such as being left in a wheelchair for how many hours?

I found my father this past Saturday night lying on his bed without his undergarments or covers and a diaper beside him which he had removed. Both of his roommates were sound asleep but one of their televisions was blaring.

My father would be mortified at the indignity if we ‘had him back’.
Having made my concerns known at a ‘families’ meeting and privately to the Manager, Patient Care and Safety, I will be interested to see what happens.

Regards,
MQ

January 30, 2013

Mr. Michael Blais,
President, Canadian Veterans’ Advocacy

Dear Michael,

I am writing to you about the noticeable difference for the worse, on the third floor of the Sunnybrook Veterans’ Residence; my Dad’s floor.

My 87-year-old Dad had a stroke on December 26, 2012. Before that, he had made great progress. He went from zipping around in his wheelchair to now being dependent on the nurses for all his needs. He is paralyzed on his right side and his mouth droops on one side.

There have been times that I was uneasy about his handling since he is now a stroke patient and has dementia. I understand that there is a certain way to handle paralyzed limbs in a stroke victim.
As well, recently, the woman we have hired to be my Dad’s companion was ‘reprimanded’ by the nurse on duty for an imagined wrongdoing!

The Manager of Patient Care and Safety was notified the next day and is looking into this awful occurrence.

Well, we shall see the outcome, Michael!

Yours truly,
SR

 

CF Appreciation - Free Tax Software for CF Community

H&R Block is once again pleased to offer their online tax software program free to members of the CF Community!... http://t.co/S7nzRKZK

H&R Block is proud to support the military
 
H&R Block is once again pleased to offer their online tax software program free to members of the CF Community. Please note – in order to gain access to this offer, members must have their CF Appreciation Program Membership Card. Note that the distribution process is slightly different this year. Simply go to http://www.hrblock.ca/military/index.asp. and enter your CF Appreciation Membership number in the designated field. You will be given a unique H&R Block discount code. Use this unique code when ordering your software download Just click the “Download Now” button to begin your order. An email will be sent to you after your order with the download link and the activation key.

The software should be downloaded on the computer you intend to use to complete your tax return. Only 1 download per CF Appreciation membership number is allowed.

In addition, members can visit their local H&R Block locations and receive 10% off their tax return preparation costs for Complex and Premier returns only. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. You must present your CF ID or CF Appreciation Membership card at participating H&R Block office. Spouse must file with the member in order to be eligible for the discount. Applies to regular personal tax preparation cost only (cash back returns not included).

Valid at only participating H&R Block offices in Canada. If H&R Block makes any error in the preparation of your tax return that costs you any interest or penalties on additional taxes due, although we do not assume the liability for the additional taxes, we will reimburse you for the interest and the penalties.

If you require client support from H&R Block please call 1-800-HRBLOCK (1-800-472-5625).

CF Appreciation - The Canadian Forces (CF) R&R Club

CF Appreciation - The Canadian Forces (CF) R&R Club

You will find a listing of places where you can stay for 349$ a week. I encourage you to check this out.

http://www.cfappreciation.ca/en/CFRRC/Pages/The-Canadian-Forces-%28CF%29-RR-Club.aspx

Military Vacations for Families from Armed Forces Vacation Club® (AFVC)   http://www.afvclub.ca/

Armed Forces Vacation Club is proud to announce that for a limited time only, all 7 Night Space-A Stays are just $299! *†
 
† Book by January 22, 2013 by 5PM ET to take advantage of this amazing deal.  This offer is valid only on 7 Night Space-A bookings. Cannot be combined with any other offer.
 
http://www.afvclub.ca/erube/OM_CanadaAFVC/299Sale_Jan2013/int/military_search_space_a&id1=OM_CanadaAFVC&id2=299Sale_Jan2013