HALIFAX – The Defence Department is spending $113 million to improve benefits for Canadian Forces members released from service for medical reasons.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay made the announcement Tuesday in Halifax, explaining that the change will align benefits offered through the department’s long-term disability program with benefits offered to disabled veterans from Veterans Affairs Canada.
MacKay said about 2,000 military members will be eligible for the improved benefits, which are retroactive to Oct. 3, 2011.
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“We know that it is our duty to make sure that they and their loved ones have what they need to accomplish what we expect of them,” he told a news conference at Canadian Forces Base Halifax.
“Our safety is very much tied to their safety.”
Under the new benefits package, ill and injured veterans will receive a minimum pre-tax income of $40,000 a year while continuing to have access to vocational rehabilitation training.
The changes come after Veterans Affairs Minister Steven Blaney announced last fall an increase to the benefits offered under his department’s Earning Loss Benefits program.
MacKay said his department had to follow suit to be consistent and fair.
“The is new money to align exactly with the Department of Veterans Affairs,” MacKay said.
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