Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
ADVT 
National

Veterans deserve special constitutional rights like aboriginals, lawyer argues

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Dec, 2014 04:03 PM

    VANCOUVER — A lawyer representing six soldiers disabled while fighting for Canada in Afghanistan says veterans deserve special treatment under the constitution in the same way aboriginals are given unique rights.

    Don Sorochan (Su-rock-can) told a panel of B.C. Appeal Court judges that soldiers are the only citizens in Canada who can be ordered by the government to enter a situation where it's anticipated they may die.

    Sorochan was responding to an attempt by the federal government to block the certification of a class-action lawsuit for soldiers injured after April 2006, an application already given the green light by the B.C. Supreme Court.

    The current and former Canadian Forces members argue changes to the compensation regime are inadequate for supporting their families and substantially reduced from what is granted to other veterans.

    The New Veterans Charter was established by an all-party vote in Parliament, changes Sorochan says that the politicians at the time believed would be beneficial for veterans.

    The Attorney General of Canada wants the legal action tossed out and its lawyers have argued that the government's special duty of care only applies as a legal principle in the context of aboriginals.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Four Arrested After Five People Shot In Toronto: Police

    Four Arrested After Five People Shot In Toronto: Police
    TORONTO — Four people have been arrested in a shooting in northwest Toronto that sent five people to hospital, one with life-threatening injuries, police said Thursday.

    Four Arrested After Five People Shot In Toronto: Police

    PETA plans billboard pitch based on corpse kept in Hamilton home for 6 months

    PETA plans billboard pitch based on corpse kept in Hamilton home for 6 months
    HAMILTON — An animal rights group known for some controversial ad campaigns is proposing a new billboard in Hamilton based on the case of a woman who kept her husband's corpse in a bedroom for six months.

    PETA plans billboard pitch based on corpse kept in Hamilton home for 6 months

    Swing stage company fined in 2009 scaffolding collapse that killed four workers

    Swing stage company fined in 2009 scaffolding collapse that killed four workers
    TORONTO — The company that supplied a swing stage involved in a deadly scaffolding collapse in Toronto on Christmas Eve 2009 has been fined $350,000 for failing to ensure the platform was in good condition.

    Swing stage company fined in 2009 scaffolding collapse that killed four workers

    Alberta premier puts gay youth bill on hold; takes blame for causing divisions

    Alberta premier puts gay youth bill on hold; takes blame for causing divisions
    EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Jim Prentice has put on hold a controversial bill that would have allowed gay students to form support groups, but only if schools approved them.

    Alberta premier puts gay youth bill on hold; takes blame for causing divisions

    Industry minister approves Burger King deal to takeover Tim Hortons

    Industry minister approves Burger King deal to takeover Tim Hortons
    OTTAWA — The federal government approved the takeover of Tim Hortons Inc. by Burger King Worldwide Inc. on Thursday after securing promises on jobs and that the coffee shop chain will remain a distinct brand.

    Industry minister approves Burger King deal to takeover Tim Hortons

    CF-18s step up sorties against ISIL; military confident no civilian deaths

    CF-18s step up sorties against ISIL; military confident no civilian deaths
    OTTAWA — The Canadian military says it is confident that no civilians have been killed to date as a result of its airstrikes against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

    CF-18s step up sorties against ISIL; military confident no civilian deaths

    PrevNext