Injured Canadian troops booted from military before qualifying for pension

[Locutus]

OTTAWA—Gravely injured troops are being booted from the military before they qualify for a pension, despite assurances to the contrary from the Harper government.

A former reserve combat engineer was let go last Friday on a medical discharge after begging for months to remain until hitting the 10-year mark.

Cpl. David Hawkins is about a year shy of being eligible for an indexed pension, but was released because his post-traumatic stress means he is unable to deploy overseas.

Among those also leaving is Cpl. Glen Kirkland. His plea to remain in the army last June was answered by former defence minister Peter MacKay with a pledge he could stay until September 2015 — and that no members are released until they are ready.


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Injured Canadian troops booted from military before qualifying for pension | Toronto Star

 

[SLM]

Well, they have a budget to balance and a deficit to eliminate. Can't be having injured soldiers pensions weighing them down.

This is the crap they should be nailed to wall for.

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Question. . . according to the website, if they have less than 10 years service and qualify for a disability pension under the Canada Pension Plan, they still get their disability pensions. So what's the issue?

 

[Cliffy]

Question. . . according to the website, if they have less than 10 years service and qualify for a disability pension under the Canada Pension Plan, they still get their disability pensions. So what's the issue?

CPP Disability pays about $600 a month. They would have to go on welfare to survive, then welfare would deduct the $600 from their cheque. I know a few guys that were on CPP Disability. Dismal life.

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Ah. Thanks. The system is quite unlike ours. In the U.S. forces, if you're disabled in service you get anywhere from $130 to $3100 per month (more if you have dependents), depending on the severity of your disability, regardless of rank or time served.

You can add about 25% to that figure because it's tax free.

 

[lone wolf]

MD certification for CPP can be over-ruled by a simple RN pencil whip. Justice in Canada is spelled Just us

 

[Johnnny]

pathetic.... Who wants to join the armed forces if they treat people like this.... Maybe that's why they dropped the physical requirements for joining, nobody is stupid enough to join and they will take anyone.... (Ive only heard the requirement thing from other people, i havent been bothered to check it out)....

 

[Christianna]

I thought Conservatives loved the military and we more liberal types hate the military. I'm appalled by the treatment of wounded military personnel both here and in the US. some gratitude for their service to our country!

 

[petros]

I thought Conservatives loved the military

The did a wicked job of using and tricking the military and all of us into thinking they gave a sh*t.

 

[CDNBear]

Gravely injured troops are being booted from the military before they qualify for a pension, despite assurances to the contrary from the Harper government...

Or the Liberal.

Not that that makes it all better or anything, but nothing has changed in almost 20 years, trust me. I'm not surprised it hasn't changed yet.

 

[SLM]

Gravely injured troops are being booted from the military before they qualify for a pension, despite assurances to the contrary from the Harper government...

Or the Liberal.

Not that that makes it all better or anything, but nothing has changed in almost 20 years, trust me. I'm not surprised it hasn't changed yet.

Yes, all politicians are lying dirtbags....it's in the job description.

 

[Nuggler]

Yes, all politicians are lying dirtbags....it's in the job description.

That's insulting to lying dirtbags. :lol:

 

[tay]

Well that takes the Conservatives negative news of the Senate from the front page.


May I add the only one with character in this sad story is Cpl Kirkland...................







The Harper government is reneging on a promise to Canada's wounded veterans. That's what happens when the shooting dies down and there's no more political capital to be wrung from their shot up bodies.

Gravely injured troops are being booted from the military before they qualify for a pension, despite assurances to the contrary from the Harper government.A former reserve combat engineer was let go last Friday on a medical discharge after begging for months to remain until hitting the 10-year mark.Among those also leaving is Cpl. Glen Kirkland. His plea to remain in the army last June was answered by former defence minister Peter MacKay with an a pledge he could stay until September 2015 — and that no members are released until they are ready.But the offer turned out to be exclusive to Kirkland, who chose within the last few days to leave rather than be given special treatment."I joined as a member of a team, as a family," Kirkland said in an interview from Shilo, Man."So, when I was offered an opportunity when no one else was, it just goes against everything I joined for."He will be formally discharged in March.As if you needed another reason to despise our treacherous Harper regime.

 

[SLM]

That's insulting to lying dirtbags. :lol:

My sincere apologies to lying dirtbags everywhere, I don't know what I was thinking.

 

[damngrumpy]

Funny I thought the Tories were the friend of veteran remember how they were
so critical of the Liberals? Yup we need to buy more weapons we don't have to
spend money on the people who served. This is nothing short of a disgrace.
We have a Senate who we paid 92.5 million dollars for less than three months
work but we can't afford to pay the vets for the injuries and illness suffered while
serving our interests. Does anyone find an ethical problem with the government
here.

 

[Goober]

Funny I thought the Tories were the friend of veteran remember how they were
so critical of the Liberals? Yup we need to buy more weapons we don't have to
spend money on the people who served. This is nothing short of a disgrace.
We have a Senate who we paid 92.5 million dollars for less than three months
work but we can't afford to pay the vets for the injuries and illness suffered while
serving our interests. Does anyone find an ethical problem with the government
here.

The Cons passed the New Veterans Charter- a travesty- But passed with all Political parties and MP's voting in favor.

Sean Bruyea testifies on Veterans Charter (First Appearance) | FAIR

 

[Vancouverite]

That's disgusting. They served our country, and, now, our country ****s on them.