CALGARY – The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today announced the establishment of a program to recognize the service of Atomic Veterans.
"All those who serve their country, past or present, deserve the respect, admiration and care of a grateful nation," said Minister MacKay. "Prime Minister Stephen Harper and our Government are committed to the care and well-being of our veterans and recognizes the service of all those who participated in nuclear weapons testing and in nuclear decontamination work. This program will recognize the exceptional service that these individuals have performed for their country."
Canadian military veterans and civilian science and technology workers from the Department of National Defence who participated in nuclear weapons tests and the Chalk River decontamination efforts performed their duty under exceptional circumstances. In recognition of their exceptional service to the nation, these Canadians will be eligible to apply for an ex-gratia payment of $24,000.00.
"The Atomic Veterans Recognition Program is another example of our Government's commitment to Canada's Veterans," said Minister Thompson. "Through this program, a remarkable group of individuals will finally get the acknowledgment and respect that they so rightfully deserve."
From the end of the Second World War until the signing of the atmospheric test ban treaty in 1963, the United States and the United Kingdom conducted numerous above-ground nuclear weapons trials in the United States, Australia and in the South Pacific to develop and test nuclear weapons, and to train soldiers in dealing with the effects of these weapons. In order to provide training opportunities for Canadian military personnel in nuclear warfare and decontamination and to develop expertise therein, the Canadian military sought to take part in these trials. During the same period, Canadian military personnel were also deployed to assist with emergency decontamination efforts at the Chalk River nuclear plant following two major nuclear reactor accidents in 1952 and 1958. Canadian military participation at Chalk River drew on past expertise gained through participation in the nuclear weapons trials, and was viewed, in part, as a training opportunity for personnel to further augment this expertise.
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Note to editors: For more information on the Atomic Veteran's Recognition Program please visit www.forces.gc.ca/hr/centre/engraph/home_e.asp. For more information on the program or to make application, you can also call 1 800 883-6094 or e-mail Atomic@forces.gc.ca (English) or Atomique@forces.gc.ca (French).
