Financial recognition and health care support for victims of the 1974 accidental grenade explosion at the CFB Valcartier cadet camp

March 9, 2017 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

On July 30, 1974, at the CFB Valcartier cadet camp, more than 130 cadets were assembled in a barrack block under supervision of adult instructors when a live grenade exploded, killing six cadets and injuring dozens more. This tragedy forever changed the lives of the victims and their families.

In May 2014, the Minister of National Defence approved the request for the Ombudsman for the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to open and conduct an investigation into the incident. The report that was released by the Ombudsman, in July 2015, included two key recommendations:

1. That the Department of National Defence should offer assessments to individuals claiming to have been adversely or permanently affected in order to determine the physical and psychological care required. It also stated that, based on these assessments, a reasonable care plan should be funded; and
2. That the Department of National Defence, under the direction of the Minister, should award victims with financial compensation in line with jurisprudence in similar situations.

In July 2015, the Minister of National Defence committed to ensuring that affected individuals would have access to health care and compensation, where appropriate.

As a first step, DND and the CAF immediately began efforts to make contact with all those affected. The next step was to proceed with medical needs assessments and the development of treatment plans to determine the health care needs of affected individuals. In early February 2017, eligible individuals received a letter confirming details of the health care support and a guide, providing more information about the health care services that are available to them, as well as guidance on how to access these services. 

Concurrently, DND conducted a review of compensation and previous recognition programs to determine the universal benevolent payment (as recommended by the Ombudsman in his 2015 report). In arriving at the payment amount, DND considered amounts paid in previous recognition payment programs and previous settlements of actions based on injuries from the grenade explosion.

On March 9, 2017, Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan announced a comprehensive program of health care support and financial recognition for the victims of the 1974 accidental grenade explosion at the CFB Valcartier cadet camp. The development of the program was informed by the Ombudsman’s recommendations, but also, in large part, by discussions with victims of this incident and their representatives, with the intent of coming to a mutually acceptable program for affected individuals.

Program Eligibility

Cadets who were in the room at the time of the explosion and those non-professional first responders who came to their assistance immediately following the incident and were not CAF members at the time* (“affected individuals”) are eligible for the program. Estates of the six cadets who tragically perished in this incident and of the victims who have passed away since are also eligible to apply for elements of the program.

*Note: Individuals affected by this tragedy who were members of the CAF at the time of the incident may apply for support through Veterans Affairs Canada.

Financial recognition

In recognition of their pain and suffering, a universal benevolent payment of $42,000 will be awarded to affected individuals, specifically, each cadet who was in the room when the explosion occurred and to non-professional first responders involved immediately following the explosion. The estates of the six cadets who tragically perished in this incident and of the victims who have passed away since are also eligible to apply for this payment.

In recognition of loss, an additional benevolent payment of $58,000 will also be available to the estates of the six deceased cadets. This payment would be in addition to the universal benevolent payment of $42,000 – for a total of $100,000 for each of the six estates.

Affected individuals may also apply for an individualized benevolent payment for both physical and mental injuries sustained as a result of the incident. The maximum amount awarded would be $310,000 (including the universal benevolent payment). The estates of former cadets who have passed away in the years since the incident are also eligible to apply for this payment.

These benevolent payments will not be subject to Canadian income tax deductions.

Health care support

DND and the CAF are covering all incident-related health care costs incurred by affected individuals, not funded by provincial health care systems, for the remainder of their lifetime. This means that medical treatment, prescription medications, physiotherapy, psychological care, prosthetics, medical accessories, or other required health-related equipment that have been identified in the affected individual’s health care plan and pre-approved by CAF medical personnel, now or at a later point in time, will be funded for as long as they are needed.

Peer support and resiliency training will also be made available to affected individuals and to their spouses and children, if required. Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed in the event that travel is required to take part in these sessions.

Contact information

DND and the CAF continue to urge former cadets who were in the room at the time of the explosion and non-professional first responders involved immediately after the explosion to contact us at 1-844-800-8566 or 1974@forces.gc.ca.

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Associated Links

• Statement from the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff Regarding the 1974 Valcartier Grenade Incident
• Statement from the Ombudsman on the VCDS update on recommendations regarding the Valcartier Grenade Incident in 1974 (July 29, 2016)

Contacts

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Toll-Free: 1-866-377-0811
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

Frequently Asked Questions – 1974 Valcartier Grenade Incident Program

Who is eligible for the 1974 Valcartier Grenade Incident Program?

Cadets who were in the room at the time of the explosion and those non-professional first responders who came to their assistance immediately following the incident and were not CAF members at the time* (“affected individuals”) are eligible for the program. Estates of the six cadets who tragically perished in this incident and of the victims who have passed away since are also eligible to apply for elements of the program. 

*Note: Individuals affected by this tragedy who were members of the CAF at the time of the incident may apply for support through Veterans Affairs Canada.

What kind of financial recognition is available to affected individuals?

Affected individuals are eligible for a universal benevolent payment in the amount of $42,000. Those who have sustained physical and/or mental injuries as a result of the incident are also eligible to apply for an individualized benevolent payment. This payment will be determined based on individual circumstances, up to a maximum of $310,000 (including the universal benevolent payment). Estates of the cadets who tragically perished in the incident and the victims who have passed away since are also eligible to apply for elements of the program.

How do I apply for financial recognition?

Affected individuals who wish to apply for financial recognition should contact DND by e-mail at 1974@forces.gc.ca to obtain an application. Individuals may also contact DND to obtain an application by regular mail at:

National Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers Support Group Headquarters
National Defence Headquarters
101 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0K2

When can I expect to receive the universal benevolent payment?

You should receive your payment within 30 days of the application having been processed by DND.

When can I expect to receive the individualized benevolent payment?

Affected individuals are also eligible to apply for an individualized benevolent payment for both physical and mental injuries sustained as a result of the incident. Supporting documentation must be submitted and a medical assessment may be required. While every effort will be made to ensure that applications are assessed in a timely manner; in general, the greater the injuries, the longer the assessment process will take.

When is a medical assessment required?

A medical assessment is required when applying for health care support and may be required when applying for an individualized benevolent payment. A medical assessment is not required when applying for a universal benevolent payment.

What health care costs are being covered?

DND and the CAF will cover all necessary incident-related health care costs incurred by affected individuals, not funded by provincial health care systems, for the remainder of their lifetime. Necessary treatments and therapies, such as physiotherapy, psychological care and prescription medication, will be funded through the CAF’s Medavie Blue Cross program, for as long as they are needed.

How do I apply for health care support?

Affected individuals who wish to apply for health care support should contact DND at 1-844-800-8566 or 1974@forces.gc.ca to obtain an application.

Will I need a medical assessment to receive health care support?

Yes. A medical needs assessment is required to identify the health care needs, both physical and psychological, of affected individuals. This medical needs assessment will be conducted by a primary care provider (family doctor, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant) and a treatment plan developed. This plan will identify the treatments and/or therapies that are needed and not already funded by provincial health care systems. Eligibility for funding will be confirmed by the Canadian Forces Health Services Group.

To request a medical needs assessment package, contact DND at 1-844-800-8566 or 1974@forces.gc.ca.