Veterans Return Medals, Protest Canadian Government "Clawback" of Long Term Disability Benefits
Posted on:7/3/2009
Written By: Chris Robideaux
| Dennis Manuge of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and Robin Brentnall of Gambo, Newfoundland and Labrador, are two veterans who carry a lot of resentment for their lack of fair treatment by Canadian authorities. They have mailed their service medals to Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean to protest what they term as a clawback of long-term disability pensions for veterans. |
Dennis Manuge of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and Robin Brentnall of Gambo, Newfoundland and Labrador, are two veterans who carry a lot of resentment for their lack of fair treatment by Canadian authorities. They have mailed their service medals to Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean to protest what they term as a clawback of long-term disability pensions for veterans, in addition to filing a class action lawsuit on behalf of Canadian vets who've seen little financial remuneration or sympathy for their wartime efforts and subsequent disabilities. The Class Action was initiated in March of 2007 on behalf Dennis Manuge and all other disabled veterans whose SISIP Long Term Disability Benefits are reduced by the amount of the monthly VAC Disability Pension they receive under the Pension Act.
On May 20, 2008, the Federal Court of Canada certified the claim as a Class Action and defined the Class as follows:
All former members of the Canadian Forces whose long term disability benefits under the SISIP policy number 901102 were reduced by the amount of their VAC disability benefits received pursuant to the Pension Act from April 17, 1985 to date.
The effect of the certification of this claim cannot be understated. Upon certification, the claim changed from one individual pursuing litigation against the Government of Canada alone to in excess of 6500 disabled veterans pursuing the Government of Canada for their collective losses.