Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
ADVT 
National

Feds commit $140M to keep temporary veterans staff

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Feb, 2022 03:39 PM
  • Feds commit $140M to keep temporary veterans staff

OTTAWA - Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay says the federal government will spend nearly $140 million over the next two years to retain temporary staff hired to deal with a backlog of disability claims from injured ex-soldiers.

Today’s funding announcement comes after The Canadian Press reported earlier this month that the government was poised to lose hundreds of temporary staff next month.

That was despite Veterans Affairs Canada still having nearly 34,000 unprocessed applications for disability benefits on its desk, a number officials warned would grow by the thousands if more temporary staff weren’t retained.

MacAulay at that time said any new funding would have to wait until the next federal budget, meaning a delay of weeks if not months.

In response to the Canadian Press report, Royal Canadian Legion dominion president Bruce Julian last week sent a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking that the temporary staff be kept on contract until the backlog is eliminated.

The backlog has emerged as one of the main sources of frustration, anger and hardship for Canada's veterans' community, with those ill and injured forced to wait months — and often years — for access to financial or medical support for their injuries.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

25 year old North Vancouver woman stabbed by lover: IHIT

25 year old North Vancouver woman stabbed by lover: IHIT
The victim has been identified as 25-year-old Melissa Blimkie from North Vancouver. The suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Everton Downey. The two were in a relationship for some time prior to the homicide.    

25 year old North Vancouver woman stabbed by lover: IHIT

Suspect in custody following shooting at Newton residence

Suspect in custody following shooting at Newton residence
On January 18, 2022 shortly before 9:00 p.m., Surrey RCMP responded to the report of a fight in front of a residence in the 13400-block of 66A Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located a 31-year-old man with a possible gunshot wound who was transported to hospital.  The injury sustained was confirmed to be non-life threatening and the victim is expected to be released from hospital shortly.    

Suspect in custody following shooting at Newton residence

Canadian trial suggests benefits of remdesivir

Canadian trial suggests benefits of remdesivir
A Canadian study suggests the antiviral medication remdesivir could have a "modest but significant effect" on COVID-19 patient outcomes, including decreasing the need for mechanical ventilation by approximately 50 per cent. The study, published Wednesday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, is billed as the largest single-country trial of remdesivir reported to date.

Canadian trial suggests benefits of remdesivir

B.C. doubles relief grants for certain businesses

B.C. doubles relief grants for certain businesses
A statement from the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation says businesses including event venues, bars, nightclubs and lounges that don't serve full meals are eligible for grants of up to $20,000, based on staffing levels.

B.C. doubles relief grants for certain businesses

Woman thrown against wall of hotel by attacker in Downtown: VPD

Woman thrown against wall of hotel by attacker in Downtown: VPD
The victim, a 22-year-old woman, was walking along West Georgia Street in front of Hotel Georgia when she was suddenly grabbed by a man, walking in the opposite direction, on December 31 at around 3:30 p.m. She was thrown against the exterior wall of the hotel and held down.

Woman thrown against wall of hotel by attacker in Downtown: VPD

Antiviral on its way to provinces and territories

Antiviral on its way to provinces and territories
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the first shipment of an oral COVID-19 pill is making its way across Canada but is no substitute for vaccination against the rapidly spreading virus. The anti-viral drug Paxlovid is meant to protect against hospitalization and death.

Antiviral on its way to provinces and territories