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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Feds' fund for vets' burials rejects many

Over two-thirds of requests shunned

By: Murray Brewster

Posted: 11/5/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

OTTAWA -- A federal burial fund meant to give impoverished veterans a final, dignified salute has rejected over two-thirds of the applications it's received since 2006.

And of the requests that are accepted, Ottawa contributes just over $3,600 toward the funeral cost of destitute ex-soldiers, a figure that is substantially lower than what some social services departments pay toward the burial of the homeless and those on welfare.

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According to figures put before Parliament, of the 29,853 requests made to the veterans funeral and burial program, 20,147 pleas for funding 67.4 per cent were rejected.

They either did not meet the eligibility criteria, or failed a means test, which says a qualifying veteran's annual income must have been less than $12,010 per year.

The executive director of the Last Post Fund, the independent agency that has for decades administered the program on behalf of Veterans Affairs Canada, acknowledges the high rejection rate, but says the nature of the criteria excludes many modern-day soldiers who served in the Cold War and Afghanistan.

Jean-Pierre Goyer says they have been petitioning Stephen Harper's Conservative government to not only overhaul the rules, but to increase the stipend given to those who do qualify for assistance.

"Our prime minister and his government don't see it as a priority and it hasn't made the list for the last budget," said Goyer. "We came close last budget, I'm told, and our improvements were taken off the list at almost the last minute. We hope in the next federal budget we can see this through."

"Veterans Affairs and their minister, Steven Blaney, they are committed to see this change through. I would tell you, and you can quote me on that, the problem is with the government of Canada."

Overhauling eligibility and increasing the funeral stipend, which hasn't been raised in a decade, could cost between $5 million and $7 million annually.

The Harper government through Veterans Affairs has poured millions of dollars into the restoration of local war monuments over the last two federal budgets. Local MPs unveil these photo op-friendly projects with much fanfare.

It has also spent $28 million to celebrate the anniversary of the War of 1812, including advertising, historical recreations and the presentation of battle honours to regiments that fought in a war that predated Confederation.

A spokesman for the veterans minister said the government has been working with the veterans and their families to respond to their priorities and concerns.

"The department is constantly reviewing all of its programs to deliver better services to veterans and their families," said Niklaus Schwenker.

The government has also recently invested millions in improved veterans benefits, but critics say ignoring the burial issue is tantamount to a final insult.

"There's an awful lot of photo ops and spin and propaganda about how this government purportedly loves veterans. They talk the talk, but they don't walk the walk," said Liberal veterans critic Sean Casey.

-- The Canadian Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 5, 2012 A9

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