FREDERICTON – New federal legislation introduced earlier this week could change the benefits that some disabled veterans see but critics say the plan still has too many unanswered questions.
Federal MP Rob Moore announced the Retired Income Security Benefits program in Fredericton this morning, following an announcement in Ottawa on Monday.
Currently, some disabled veterans lose their benefits once they turn 65. This program would see “moderately to severely” injured veterans keep up to 70 per cent of their benefits.
Moore says this will help “provide life-long coverage” for these veterans. But some Fredericton-area veterans like Ernie Watts are less than thrilled by the plan.
“The devil is in the details,” said Watts. “The minister this morning didn’t give us any details. He didn’t open himself up for questions, because I don’t think he has the answers.”
Watts served for 38 years, and receives medical benefits for injuries he suffered while on duty. He says the proposed legislation is too vague.
“Earning loss benefit, what’s it equate to? $40,000? What’s going to happen at age 65? Are they going to take the $40,000 and take 70 per cent of that and then draw back the OAS of that? What are they going to do with that?” said Watts.
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There are also questions about who would qualify. The government has previously said a vet with a 48 per cent impairment would be eligible, but need to be evaluated.
“I can’t speak for every scenario, but they’re all going to be assessed for the eligibility under the earnings-loss benefit, the impairment allowance, the impairment supplement,” said Moore. “That will factor into this benefit as well. So that’s on a case by case basis.”
Peter Stoffer, Opposition critic for veteran’s affairs, says the legislation is not doing enough.
“We didn’t want any disabled veteran to lose money at age 65. Under the new system the government’s proposing, they’re just not losing as much money as they did in the past,” said Stoffer.
“It’s when they turn 65 and they get older, that’s when they need an increase of funds, not a decrease of funds.”
But the legislation is still a long way from the floor. Critics say introducing it now, without key details, is just a political move.
“These recommendations, some of them are four to five years old right now,” said Stoffer. “They’re (announcing) it piecemeal, they’re doing it in these announcements as they go along. And unfortunately if they keep doing that a lot of the recommendations won’t see the light of day until after the next election.”
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