Madam Speaker, the Government of Canada takes very seriously any claim made by a veteran that they have been treated unjustly. We ask so much of our military members and we know that the traumas some have suffered have severely affected their ability to earn a living after they are released.
Veterans Affairs Canada is committed to ensuring the well-being of veterans and their families and does its best to ensure that the men and women who donned the uniform and helped shape our nation get adequate support in post-service life.
Veterans Affairs Canada uses the diminished earning capacity determination to ensure that eligible veterans, meaning those who, even after rehabilitation, are unable to return to the workforce and find sufficient gainful employment to support themselves and their family, receive financial assistance through the income replacement benefit. A group of very capable and highly qualified case managers and health care professionals participate in the decision-making process and ensure that veterans receive the highest level of support possible.
The top priority of Veterans Affairs Canada is to ensure that veterans get the support they need when they need it, and that includes financial support.
With that said, I can confirm that VAC staff was given no direction to contact veterans who have been determined to have diminished earning capacity or to abruptly adjust eligibility and remove benefits. If an individual veteran has concerns with the diminished earning capacity determination, they should absolutely reach out to the department so any questions can be properly addressed.