NATO Veterans Organization of Canada
Organisation canadienne des vétérans de l’OTAN
A Voice for today’s Veterans ~ Une voix pour les vétérans d’aujourd’hui
President's News
Updated - September 15 2012
A Forgotten Generation of Veterans
Posted February 15, 2012
I am writing to you on behalf of the NATO Veterans Organization of Canada, a relatively new veterans association established in 2006. We are proud that our membership is composed solely of veterans and remains open to all sailors, soldiers and aviators regardless of previous Service affiliation or past operational experience. We offer fraternal comradeship and are honoured to serve and assist “All Those Who Have Served”. We are the Post Korea Veterans or the so called "Modern Day Veterans" who are struggling to deal with the lack of guaranteed Long Term Health Care during our twilight years. The Forgotten Generation of Veterans.
We believe it important to bring to the attention of the Canadian public a matter of critical concern to all Post-Korea Veterans. Many may not be aware that the Pension Act rightfully provides for a host of benefits and support services for our War Veterans - those who served in the Second World War and the Korean War. However, as the Pension Act does not accommodate the needs of Modern Day Veterans, those who have served since Korea in times of peace and conflict, the Government implemented an Act commonly known as the “New Veterans Charter”. While the Charter has ensured a number of provisions in support of our veterans, there is one very critical omission. The government has committed that there will be priority access to long term care for all Overseas War Service Veterans in need of such care, but no such provision has been made for our Modern Day Vets in the New Veterans Charter.
Members of the former Canadian Forces, and now the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Army, have served and continue to serve at the will of the government in a complex variety of operational roles in which these military personnel have committed themselves with unlimited liability to act as ordered or as may be ordered. Combat, armed missions, covert or active surveillance in highly dangerous environments, and tactical engagements at sea, in the air and on land are typical of the modern-day operational theater. In point of fact, service personnel have fulfilled their contract of unlimited liability with great professionalism during the Cold War in Europe, the Gulf War, the Balkans, the Middle East, Afghanistan and through a diverse range of NATO and over 30 UN missions. The stress and physical toll of such duty on many of our service personnel as they reach retirement is unique and persists into their final days. For some, as the end approaches, the need for professional long term care is urgent. But, unlike the final level of care committed in support of our War Service Veterans, our government has not accepted responsibility for providing the same level of long term care to our Modern-Day Veterans. The resultant cost and emotional burden is significant. Ultimately, as the last Korea War Veteran passes on, VAC will no longer provide any long term care support to Canada’s aging veterans.
The responsibility for the provision of health care was delegated to the provinces in 1963. Veterans Affairs Canada provides financial assistance to each of the provinces to assist in the care of our War Service Veterans but not the Modern Day Veterans.
On behalf of all veterans we urge the government and Veterans Affairs Canada to implement the necessary amendments to the New Veterans Charter to extend the provision for “Priority Access to Long Term Care” for all veterans in need of such support.
Thank you,
Gordon Jenkins President
NATO Veterans Organization of Canada
Last modified
September 15 2012