ACVA Committee Report

RECOMMENDATION 1

That the government continue its review of the New Veterans Charter involving both the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of National Defence to ensure that the compensation payments for the pain and suffering due to a disability and all the other financial assistance and services it provides meet the needs of Canadian Forces personnel, veterans, and their families.

RECOMMENDATION 2

That the review of the compensation and services provided by the New Veterans Charter be carried out with extensive consultations with veterans and veterans organizations.

RECOMMENDATION 3

That the Department of Veterans Affairs continue to develop and expand its ties of cooperation with similar departments or agencies in other countries to exchange information on best practices concerning issues of interest to veterans and military personnel, notably health care, compensation, and support for persons dealing with stress-related injuries.

RECOMMENDATION 4

That the Department of Veterans Affairs, in cooperation with the Department of National Defence, encourage more exchanges of information with similar departments or agencies in other countries on ways of providing better support and services to the families of military personnel and veterans.

RECOMMENDATION 5

That the Department of Veterans Affairs expand its employee exchange program with similar departments and agencies in other countries, such as the one it has with Australia, so that its officials can have more opportunities to learn at firsthand the policies and initiatives being developed by other countries to respond to the needs of veterans and their families.

RECOMMENDATION 6

That the Department of Veterans Affairs, in cooperation with the Department of National Defence, examine policies and services developed by other countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States in order to improve programs to assist all veterans and their families during and after the transition from military to civilian life.

RECOMMENDATION 7

That the Department of Veterans Affairs, in cooperation with the Department of National Defence, take into account developments in the United States and other countries to improve the electronic transfer of medical records of military personnel to ensure the speedy and effective processing of applications for disability and other benefits.

RECOMMENDATION 8

That the Department of Veterans Affairs review its outreach and information programs to ensure that Canadian Forces personnel, veterans, and their families are as well informed as possible on the whole range of financial benefits and support services available to them through the New Veterans Charter.

RECOMMENDATION 9

That the Department of Veterans Affairs explore with the Canada Revenue Agency the possibility of modifying income tax returns to allow veterans and their families to identify themselves so that they can receive information on the financial benefits and support services available to them.