December 10, 2013
Ottawa – The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today joined Brian Forbes, Chairman of the War Amps Executive Committee and of the National Council of Veterans Associations in Canada (NCVA), to announce new Cutting Red Tape measures to help Canada's most seriously disabled Veterans and their families. The announcement was made following a meeting between Minister Fantino and Brian Forbes at the War Amps National Headquarters, and reflects recommendations put forward by the War Amps.
Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) is now making it easier and quicker for seriously disabled Veterans to get authorization for some health care benefits, and simplifying their application process for New Veterans Charter (NVC) benefits. Veterans with prostheses will also find noticeable enhancements to their health care benefits. VAC worked with stakeholders, including the War Amps and the National Council of Veteran Associations in Canada, to develop the new improvements for Veterans.
"Veterans who are leaving the Canadian Armed Forces because of a serious injury deserve easy access to the supports they need to manage their disabilities and adjust to civilian life," said Minister Fantino. "These practical, common sense changes are a tangible example of how Veterans Affairs Canada is modernizing and updating the way it delivers services to better serve Veterans and their families. We will continue to listen to Veterans and stakeholders in order to improve services and assistance to meet the needs of Veterans and their families."
"We welcome Minister Fantino's announcement today, indicating that the greater majority of the recommendations emanating from the War Amps Task Force have been accepted by Veterans Affairs Canada," said Mr. Forbes. "We have been fully engaged with the Minister in identifying other areas where red tape and undue bureaucracy can be substantially reduced, and will continue to work with Veterans Affairs Canada to improve the administration of the Department's prosthetic policy and related health care programs."
The Department is committed to making it easier for all Veterans to apply for NVC benefits by streamlining the application process through enhanced online navigation, reusing information already gathered from Veterans, and simplifying forms.
The changes will also simplify the approval of health care benefits such as chiropractic care, physiotherapy and massage therapy, and will improve access to the prostheses benefits.
These changes to cut red tape for Canada's seriously disabled Veterans build upon the Veterans Transition Action Plan, launched last fall. The plan consists of new measures for cutting red tape for Veterans, enhancements to service delivery, post-military career opportunities for Veterans, ground-breaking research on the needs of releasing Canadian Armed Forces personnel, and enhanced cultural awareness.
Veterans Affairs Canada's support and services offer the right care at the right time to achieve the best results for Veterans and their families. Find out more at veterans.gc.ca.
