Photo by Richard Lawrence
By Mike 'Blazer' Blais
Canadian military veterans should be aware of two surveys which Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) launched this year, as both provide an opportunity for existing clients and transitioning veterans to engage the department on any adversarial issues which they are personally confronting. The surveys will also provide additional, valuable feedback on how VAC is actually treating the veterans for whom they have been entrusted to provide care. The first survey pertained to veterans who are currently transitioning to civilian life via VAC’s Income Replacement Benefit (IRB). Historically, the program had been created to acknowledge the indefinite impact of mental trauma and the fact that consequential debilitation often occurs beyond the two year threshold which the Manulife SISIP program currently utilizes to define long term benefit status. It is noteworthy to point out VAC’s IRB program provides 90 per cent compensation versus the 75 per cent compensation dispensed by SISIP (which applies to a majority of Canada’s most seriously disabled veterans). The IRB program follows a similar operational route to SISIP, providing support for the attributable injury in the form of vocational assistance (if relevant) and financial support for as long as the client conforms to the program's mandate or until the client is deemed permanently disabled. I would also note that veterans on the VAC program are permitted to earn up to $20,000 (CDN) per year without penalty, while SISIP claims a dollar-for-dollar clawback on any declared outside income.
It is important to separate the national sacrifice award/pension from this program as one is a tax-free acknowledgment of sacrifice while the other, like SISIP, is taxable. The SISIP model is based on an insurance model platform designed to provide post-service injury rehabilitation and vocational support in the aftermath of a debilitating injury. That is until such time as a decision is rendered as to the severity of the disability and the long term impact which it bears on future earning capabilities.
VAC adapted administratively to this program by contracting the rehabilitation process to Partners in Canadian Veterans Rehabilitation Services (PCVRS), a national health organization which operates under the umbrella of Shoppers Drug Mart. Veterans who are supported through VACs IRB program are managed by PCVRS during the assessment period. It is important to note that PCVRS provides expedient access to a network of physical and mental health physicians and therapists thus, in theory, negating time-obstructive provincial or territorial backlogs. They provide comparable services/resources as would a provincial Workmans Compensation Board with respect to vocational guidance, applicable therapy programs and funding recommendations to VAC regarding to the client’s vocational aspirations. Ultimately, PCVRS provides recommendations that would impact VAC’s decision as to whether the veteran is provided Diminished Earning Capacity (DEC) status, which is equivalent to Manulife’s Totally Permanently Impaired (TPI) status or the client is deemed employable and subsequently removed from the IRB program. Once DEC status is attained, the IRB plan continues to the age of 65 at which time the Retirement Benefit is automatically applied.
Needless to say, there have been significant discussions as to the validity of this program. As a proactive veterans advocate, I have communicated with many veterans and caregivers who have successfully completed the transition period and have either found gainful employment in their new fields of endeavour or, when this option was not feasible, they have obtained DEC status. I have, however, also communicated with many who are dissatisfied with program requisites or PCVRS interactions which they felt were disrespectful to their service and the national sacrifice they have selflessly provided. Some veterans dislike the programs' insurance company mentality and they believe that there is no place in VAC for this perspective. Conversely, the IRB program is in fact a long-term disability insurance initiative inclusive of all the bureaucratic standards common to provincial standards. I will dwell on this issue in further detail once the results of the survey have been presented and VAC has tabled their response.
The 2026 VAC National Client Survey continues through the summer. A total of 3,750 individuals have been randomly chosen from a client list which includes; Veterans, Serving Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, family recipients and members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who have applied for, or have received benefits over the past 12 months. Participation in the survey is voluntary and the interview takes about a half hour to complete over the telephone. Selected personnel can also submit an online response. The interviewer may call you on Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 21:00 pm or, on Saturday, Sunday and Statutory holidays, between 12;00 noon -18:00 pm. Please take the time to respond as accurately as possible to the questions, as the information you provide is vital information necessary to VAC improving the quality of life for our veterans.
Scammer alert. I am certain that many feel the same way which I do about telemarketing and I would have you bear in mind that VAC is forbidden to ask you for your Social Insurance Number or credit card information. Should this situation ever occur, hang up immediately.
Blazer out.
