A government of starving rats - balancing the books on the suffering of Canadians

After veteran's death, government demands $581 benefits repayment

Just days after the funeral of a Canadian veteran who died of suicide on Christmas Day, her husband received a letter from Veterans Affairs saying the family must repay a portion of her monthly disability cheque.

The letter, dated Jan. 9 -- a day after retired Cpl. Leona MacEachern’s husband publicly revealed that her death was in fact a suicide -- expresses condolences to the family while asking for a repayment of $581.67.

In an email to CTV News, Tom MacEachern called it “a slap in the face.”

“(I) didn’t know whether to laugh or cry…was breathless actually,” he said.

The letter from Veterans Affairs begins with: “We have recently been advised of the death of Mrs. MacEachern. Our most sincere sympathy is extended to you and your family at this time.”

It goes on to say that “Earnings Loss benefits paid under the Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act are payable up to the day of Mrs. MacEachern’s death.

“Therefore, an overpayment of $581.67 has been created for December 2013.”


Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/after-veteran-s-death-government-demands-581-benefits-repayment-1.1660614#ixzz2rnEaPRK9

And there is more anger............

Canada’s troubled Afghan veterans deserve better: Editorial

The Canadian military has been inexcusably slow in filling its complement of mental health staff to help troubled troops and veterans.

In the torrent of self-promoting press releases that gushed from Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government offices this week, perhaps it was only to be expected.
 

Defence Minister Rob Nicholson and the Canadian Armed Forces offered a snappy — and obnoxiously self-serving — salute to Bell Canada for its admirable Let’s Talk Day, a national campaign that encourages people to talk, text and tweet about mental health issues. Bell has contributed more than $62 million through the campaign to improve awareness and understanding, access to mental health care, and research. It’s a great cause. And a chunk of that money goes to supporting military families.
 

Seizing the occasion, Nicholson’s office issued a news release saying Canadian Armed Forces Applaud “Bell Let’s Talk Day.” The communiqué urged troops and the public to take part. And then it got down to business.

Read more.... http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2014/01/28/canadas_troubled_afghan_veterans_deserve_better_editorial.html