July 29, 2015 – Winnipeg, Manitoba – Veterans Affairs Canada
Today James Bezan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Selkirk–Interlake, on behalf of the Honourable Erin O’Toole, Minister of Veterans Affairs, confirmed the Government of Canada’s commitment to providing service excellence for Veterans.
MP Bezan announced a total of 30 new hires by the end of March 2016 in Western Canada, including 20 in case management and 10 in disability benefits processing. These new hires will reduce Veterans Affairs Canada’s (VAC) case manager ratio to no more than 30 individuals for every case manager. Case managers will have more time to address the complex needs of Veterans. The additional disability benefits staff will, amongst other duties, increase capacity to support Veterans by assisting with their applications, more adjudicators will render decisions, and more staff will process payments. This means Veterans will have faster access to disability benefits as well as health care funding and mental health treatment.
The Government of Canada places the highest priority on service excellence and continues to ensure Veterans and their families have the support and services they need, when they need them.
Martin Magnan
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Veterans of Affairs
613-996-4649
Media Relations
Veterans Affairs Canada
613-992-7468
