QUESTION PERIOD — Veterans Affairs
Processing of Disability Benefits Applications
May 9, 2024
My question for the Government Leader in the Senate is a follow-up to the question Senator Patterson and I have both asked recently about the Trudeau government’s lack of attention to issues impacting our veterans. The Royal Canadian Legion recently noted:
The backlog in disability claims continues, yet there is nothing in the budget to identify whether all temporary staff will be kept on permanently to help finally eliminate this pressing problem.
Leader, what is your response to the legion, and why did the Trudeau government say next to nothing about this ongoing problem in last month’s budget?
Thank you for your question. The government has done an enormous amount to assist veterans and continues to do so. I’m not going to look backwards and contrast what this government is actually doing on the defence area generally or in veterans particularly because that’s not the point. The point is that veterans deserve the support of its government. This government is doing what it can and will continue to do so to support veterans in all respects. Veterans deserve that from their government and should expect to receive it.
Additionally, last November, the union that represents Veterans Affairs Canada employees said the Trudeau government’s announcement of temporary funding to deal with the persistent backlog was a Band-Aid solution. They also said, “ . . . in two years’ time, we’re probably looking at this same situation again.”
Leader, what is your response to the union? Are they right or wrong?
Since the government introduced funding to address the question of backlogs, it’s my understanding that the backlogs have been reduced to well over 50%. That’s an important step, but it’s not the complete step. The government knows more work needs to be done and will continue to do so.
