October 15, 2012
Ottawa — The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today launched the newly created Benefits Browser, a new e-service to help Veterans quickly and easily find information on the benefits, services and programs offered by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC).
“Across the country I have spoken to Veterans and have heard time and again that they want better and more flexible access to the information that matters to them and that’s why our Government is delivering the information they need in more modern and convenient ways,” said Minister Blaney. “The Benefits Browser is a significant step forward in our continued efforts to bring more of the Department’s services online. Veterans will see a real difference in how easily and quickly they can access the information they need, all in one place.”
Initially created by the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman (OVO), VAC and the OVO worked together to further develop the tool. The easy-to-use Benefits Browser is another measure that is part of the Minister’s “Cutting Red Tape for Veterans” initiative. Veterans and their families can find the Benefits Browser online at veterans.gc.ca and have the option to browse “Benefits at a Glance” or select information specific to their military service. Based on their selections, the Browser will automatically sort through the many VAC services, benefits and programs to display those relevant to them.
“I am pleased and encouraged by today’s announcement. In my role as special advisor to the Minister, the Benefits Browser was an idea we raised and the Minister personally advanced,” said Veterans Ombudsman Guy Parent. “This is a positive step forward in continuing to cut red tape and to make it simpler for Veterans to access the services and benefits that they so rightly deserve. I see the Benefits Browser as a win-win initiative.”
“It’s good to see that this idea has come from a Veteran and that Veterans Affairs Canada was very cooperative to see it through,” said Ron Cundell, Co-publisher of VeteranVoice.info. “This will provide continuity and consistency to the Veterans community, especially for benefits applications and entitlements.”
Minister Blaney also spoke of progress that has been made in having the Department use simpler language in policies, clearer explanations in decision letters, and fewer consent forms so Veterans no longer have to fill out a separate consent form each time they need to access the same benefit, program or service.
As Minister Blaney’s “Cutting Red Tape for Veterans” initiative continues, more improvements will be introduced. Today’s announcement builds on the progress toward a hassle-free system with fewer bureaucratic roadblocks while overall, the cutting red tape initiative focuses on making policies and programs less complicated and making access to services and information easier.
Check out the Benefits Browser at veterans.gc.ca.
