Veterans Disability Backlogs Set to Worsen as Key Program Ends, Unions Warn
The federal government is sunsetting a program designed to address wait times for veterans appealing denied disability benefits, a move that unions warn will exacerbate persistent backlogs. According to labor representatives, the Bureau of Pensions Advocates is poised to lose nearly half its workforce as term contracts for 96 out of approximately 230 positions expire at the end of March, with no plans for renewal by the government.
Impact on Veterans and Legal Support
Gregory Harlow, president of the Association of Justice Counsel, which represents federal government lawyers, expressed grave concerns. "Veterans are going to get hurt over this," he stated. "These are people who become hurt in the service of their fellow Canadians. Seems to me we have a duty to them to try to honour that sacrifice."
The Bureau of Pensions Advocates, a national organization within Veterans Affairs Canada, provides free legal advice and representation to veterans whose disability claims have been denied. While veterans may opt to hire private lawyers or represent themselves, the bureau and the Royal Canadian Legion offer crucial assistance through the appeal process at no cost.
Persistent Backlogs and Delays
The system has been plagued by backlogs for years. In the last fiscal year, Veterans Affairs Canada missed its target for reaching decisions on benefits applications more than half the time. When claims are denied, veterans can appeal through the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, a step that often proves worthwhile; in 2024-2025, 89 percent of veterans who had their cases heard received extra coverage.
However, the process is slow. The Bureau of Pensions Advocates estimates that the average case takes about a year and a half to be heard. With the impending staff reductions, Harlow predicts wait times could stretch beyond two years. "The result of that is, of course, it reduces the time period of disability benefits available to veterans and occasionally elderly clients die or become incapacitated waiting for a hearing date," he explained.
Funding and Government Response
In Budget 2023, the government allocated temporary funding to tackle the backlog. Later that year, an additional $164.4 million was committed to retain case managers and support staff for two more years, bringing the total investment to $321.1 million over five years and extending new staff contracts until March 2026. Despite these efforts, this funding is not being renewed, leading to the current crisis.
Caroline Hughes, director of veteran's services for the Royal Canadian Legion, highlighted the broader implications. The sunsetting of this program threatens to undermine the support network for veterans, many of whom rely on these services to navigate complex appeals and secure deserved benefits.
As the deadline approaches, unions and advocates are calling for urgent action to prevent further deterioration in service delivery, emphasizing the moral obligation to support those who have served the country.
