The Conservative MP for Huron-Bruce says the message about the New Veterans’ Charter isn’t getting out properly.
Ben Lobb is responding to a motion passed by Bruce County Council last week to send letters of concern to him and Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MP Larry Miller.
The motion passed by Bruce County Council was brought by Councillor Ron Oswald who says Canadians are disgusted by the way in which our returning veterans are treated.
Lobb says the Charter replaced a system that was flawed.
He mentions that the Charter fills gaps in the veterans’ pension system that often left our vets under-served in times of need.
Lobb defends the lump-sum payment and income supports that are cornerstones of the Charter.
He says the one-time payment recognizes pain and suffering incurred by soldiers wounded in battle and can be as high at 276-thousand dollars.
Lobb says veterans collect a minimum of 40-thousand dollars under the earnings-loss benefit.
The benefit covers 75 per-cent of a veteran’s income up to the age of 65.
A program for veterans who cannot return to civilian work because of military injuries pays 15-hundred to 26-hundred dollars a month.
Lobb blames the national media for not getting the word out about the Charter.
He claims there has been a lot of misinformation about programs and benefits for veterans because of stories based only on the lump-sum payment.
Lobb is a member of the Parliamentary Veterans’ Affairs committee and says the Harper government is working with all stakeholders to improve the Charter.
