Close X
Thursday, November 14, 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

    2 more possible leaks in Saskatchewan town where natural gas blast levelled home

    2 more possible leaks in Saskatchewan town where natural gas blast levelled home
    REGINA — SaskEnergy says it is investigating two more possible gas leaks in a community north of Regina where a rupture is suspected in an explosion that levelled a home.

    2 more possible leaks in Saskatchewan town where natural gas blast levelled home

    Republican Gov. Chris Christie heads to Calgary to talk energy, Keystone

    Republican Gov. Chris Christie heads to Calgary to talk energy, Keystone
    New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is scheduled to meet with Alberta Premier Jim Prentice and give a speech to the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.

    Republican Gov. Chris Christie heads to Calgary to talk energy, Keystone

    B.C. Government Awards $200,000 Contract To Study Gabriola Bridge That Could Replace BC Ferries Serv

    B.C. Government Awards $200,000 Contract To Study Gabriola Bridge That Could Replace BC Ferries Serv
    VICTORIA — A $200,000 contract has been awarded to a Colorado-based company to study the feasibility of linking Gabriola Island and Vancouver Island by bridge.

    B.C. Government Awards $200,000 Contract To Study Gabriola Bridge That Could Replace BC Ferries Serv

    BC Ferries plans off-peak travel discounts

    BC Ferries plans off-peak travel discounts
    BC Ferries says its customers should have the opportunity to access an airline-style reservation system to book discounted fares online at off-peak travel times.

    BC Ferries plans off-peak travel discounts

    Two More Farms In B.C. Under Quarantine Due To Avian Flu

    Two More Farms In B.C. Under Quarantine Due To Avian Flu
    VANCOUVER — The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says two more farms have been placed under quarantine due to avian influenza in British Columbia's Fraser Valley.

    Two More Farms In B.C. Under Quarantine Due To Avian Flu

    Kamloops RCMP Officer Shot During A Traffic Stop Critical, Manhunt Underway

    Kamloops RCMP Officer Shot During A Traffic Stop Critical, Manhunt Underway
    KAMLOOPS, B.C. — An officer who was shot during a traffic stop in Kamloops, B.C., is in critical but stable condition and has provided Mounties with helpful information, says a senior Mountie.  

    Kamloops RCMP Officer Shot During A Traffic Stop Critical, Manhunt Underway