OTTAWA – “The RCMP, Veterans and their families deserve our deepest gratitude for their contribution to our country and for protecting the freedoms we hold so dear,” stated BC Southern Interior MP, Alex Atamanenko. “It’s the least we can do.”
Bill C-201, An Act to amend the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Act (deletion of deduction from annuity) was tabled in the House by NDP Veterans Affairs critic, Peter Stoffer. This bill that would eliminate the unfair benefit reduction of retired and disabled Canadian Forces and RCMP service pensions was defeated at Committee on November 17th.
Conservative MPs voted against every clause of Bill C-201, two Liberal MP’s abstained, while the Bloc Québécois, one Liberal MP, and Peter Stoffer supported it. Unfortunately, the lack of support by the Conservatives and Liberals means that Bill C-201 is effectively dead.
“I am disappointed that the bill was defeated,” said Atamanenko. “Peter has been working hard to advance veterans’ rights for many years, so this must be a huge disappointment for him”.
The campaign to end the clawback gained the support of over 110,000 individuals including several major veterans organizations, the Royal Canadian Legion (500,000 members), the Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada Association (20,000 members), and the Air Force Association in Canada (12,000 members).
The Conservative government committed itself to resolving the clawback of Service Income Security Insurance Plan (SISIP) pensions for disabled veterans, extending the home care (VIP) program for all widows and veterans as well as fully compensating all victims of Agent Orange.
Despite these promises, they have not acted on the SISIP or the full compensation for Agent Orange victims.
“I personally can’t understand why MPs did not support this bill,” said the BC MP. “It’s not enough for us to pay tribute to our fallen only on Remembrance Day – we need to provide as much support as is humanly possible to former members of the Armed Forces and RCMP as well as their families. We also need to honour the living.”