OTTAWA, August 16, 2011 – The National Council of Veteran Associations (NCVA) is pleased with today's announcement by Defence Minister Peter MacKay that the Government will restore the historic "royal" designation to the Canadian navy and air force.
The navy will revert to the name Royal Canadian Navy, and the air force to the Royal Canadian Air Force, while the army will now be called the Canadian Army (formerly Land Force Command). The names were changed in 1968 when the branches were amalgamated as the Canadian Forces.
"This has been a long-standing position of NCVA, which we have been pursuing for a number of years," said Brian Forbes, Secretary General of NCVA, noting that several of the group's 58 member-organizations have continued to use the word "Royal" in their titles.
"Traditional Veterans fought under these designations during World War I, World War II, Korea and earlier Peacekeeping missions, and this restoration of their military heritage means a great deal to our membership," he said.
Mr. Forbes stressed that although this is a welcome announcement, NCVA will continue to press the Government to improve benefits for Traditional Veterans, Modern Day Veterans and their dependants.
He expressed concern in relation to the recently announced position of the new Conservative majority Government that many Federal budgets are to be reduced and that substantial financial cuts will have to be exercised by individual departments, including Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC).
"We trust that these cuts will not be made on the back of the Canadian veterans' community," he said, noting that a number of Allied countries, in attempting to cope with current economic deficits, have exempted veterans' benefits from their proposed austerity programs.
"VAC has an ongoing obligation under veterans' legislation to take care not only of veterans, but their dependants, including tens of thousands of Widows, in recognition of their incredible service and sacrifice. This is clearly no time to be suggesting any diminishment in the role and responsibility of the Department," Mr. Forbes said.
"In our view, the job of VAC is far from over and indeed is entering a significant phase. VAC administers two major pieces of legislation – the original Pension Act for the Traditional veteran and the New Veterans Charter for the Modern Day Veteran. At the same time, Health Care Benefits, VIP programs and all other related policies are administered by the Department for all veterans and their families," he said.
NCVA's priority issues in regard to Traditional Veterans include improvements in financial assistance provided by VAC to disabled veterans requiring intermediary long term care, extension of benefits under the Veterans Burial Regulations and/or Last Post Fund to seriously disabled veterans as a "matter of right," and the expansion of the Veterans Independence Program for life for Widows.
Earlier this year, NCVA acknowledged as a good first step the passage of Bill C-55 which amends the Veterans Charter. However, NCVA maintains the position that there is still much more to accomplish in addressing outstanding gaps and inequities in the Charter, and that the Government needs to fully implement the recommendations of the New Veterans Charter Advisory Group and the additional proposals regarding the Charter by the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs.
© 2024 NCVA