February 24th, 2014
This is the third in my series on Veterans and government programs.
One of the features of a Veterans program that has been criticized is the disability payment. This is a payment (up to $300,000) which a Veteran may receive to help him or her deal with a disability received while in service to Canada.
Critics say that one time payments are not appropriate for disabled Veterans. But the Government has taken a different approach: choosing to let Vets take this payment as a lump sum, as a monthly payment or as a combination of the two.
It also needs to be remembered that a disabled soldier will also receive other benefits, like income support (which starts at $42,000 annually) on top of this payment.
The federal government has designed Veterans programs to be flexible and to give choice to retiring service members. Our Veterans need the freedom to control their own future.
I’m Brad Trost, your Member of Parliament in Saskatoon-Humboldt. You can reach my office in Saskatoon at 975-6133. Feel free to drop by my two offices for a visit: Saskatoon (Monday to Friday) or Humboldt (Tuesday and Wednesday). I always appreciate your feedback.
February 17th, 2014
One of the reasons that Veterans Affairs Canada is changing the way that it delivers services is because the demographics of our Veterans are also changing.
Of the 210,000 people who currently have files with Veterans Affairs, around 47,000 are from the Second World War/Korean War era. Another 77,000 are “modern day” Vets (people like my brother, whom I mentioned last week).
These younger Vets generally don`t have the same need for programs that help Vets with day to day chores. But newer programs, like the VAC Operational Stress Injury Clinics, are in high demand. It is for these reasons that the government is changing its focus: More mental health services; more one on one contact, and more points of service. These programs are helping to deal with the changing needs of Canada`s new Veterans.
I’m Brad Trost, your Member of Parliament in Saskatoon-Humboldt. You can reach my office in Saskatoon at 975-6133. Feel free to drop by my two offices for a visit: Saskatoon (Monday to Friday) or Humboldt (Tuesday and Wednesday). I always appreciate your feedback.
February 10th, 2014
After recent news stories concerning the Veterans Affairs office, I received a handful of calls from concerned citizens. They wanted to make sure that Saskatoon area Veterans were getting access to the government services that they needed.
Talking to these constituents reminded me that unless you have dealt with Veterans Affairs Canada, you have no idea what programs are out there or what services are available to our Veterans.
My interest in this issue pre-dates my time as a MP. My older brother (a former infantry officer) had his own troubles getting a disability pension that Veterans Affairs had refused him.
So, over the next few weeks, my columns are going to talk about the government programs that are available for our Vets; the changes that have been made; who our Veterans are and where services can be reached. So, keep reading this newspaper or check out my website (bradtrost.ca) where my columns are posted every month.
I’m Brad Trost, your Member of Parliament in Saskatoon-Humboldt. You can reach my office in Saskatoon at 975-6133. Feel free to drop by my two offices for a visit: Saskatoon (Monday to Friday) or Humboldt (Tuesday and Wednesday). I always appreciate your feedback.
February 3rd, 2014
One ceremony that Members of Parliament get to be part of on a regular basis is the oath of citizenship administered to new Canadian citizens. We join the Citizenship Judge to be present when new Canadians take the oath. It is fascinating to talk to people and to hear new Canadians give their stories as to why they chose Canada.
Educational, economic, political and yes, even romantic reasons are given for choosing Canada. But whatever the reason, you can see pride and a sense of true happiness in their decision.
For whatever reason, they believe they have become part of the best country on Earth. Whatever our problems are, as Canadians, they are pretty small compared to the rest of the world. So, if you ever need to be reminded “Why Canada?,” join us at a future citizenship ceremony. Their faces will answer your question.
I’m Brad Trost, your Member of Parliament in Saskatoon-Humboldt. You can reach my office in Saskatoon at 975-6133. Feel free to drop by my two offices for a visit: Saskatoon (Monday to Friday) or Humboldt (Tuesday and Wednesday). I always appreciate your feedback.
