Settlement reached in veterans lawsuit

NDP Veterans Affairs critic Peter Stoffer (Sackville – Eastern Shore) is pleased that a nearly five-year battle between the federal government and Canadian veterans is coming to a close with the approval of an $887-million settlement.

“I am pleased that this matter is being resolved and our veterans who bravely served Canada are finally getting their due in this regard,” said Stoffer. “I am however quite disappointed that it took a prolonged court battle for the Conservatives to do the right thing.”

A 2007class-action lawsuit filed on the grounds that the government practice of clawing back veterans’ disability benefits is unfair was eventually joined by 7,500 veterans across Canada. A May 2012 federal court ruling found that the government’s actions defeated the purpose of providing compensation for disabling injuries suffered by Canadian Forces Members while serving Canada.

“This important case will not only help those currently receiving benefits but those who will unfortunately need them in the future,” said deputy Veterans Affairs critic Sylvain Chicoine (Châteauguay – Saint-Constant). “I salute our soldiers for not only having the courage to stand up for what’s right on the battlefield, but also here at home.”