Message #949

[Kenneth H. Young]

When I first became aware of the limited mandate and authority of the Office of Veterans Ombudsman, I was disappointed, to say the least, but not at all surprised.  The Dept of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and The Royal Canadian Legion fought against the establishment of the office, as did many on The Hill.

Once it became apparent that it was inevitable, DVA worked even harder to make the OVO a lame duck. No matter who was appointed, it was clear to me, the hired would be a DVA lap dog. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

I went to a Halifax town hall meeting where Mr. Stogran met with a crowd of frustrated and sceptical veterans, I being one of them. He was there for hours and repeatedly invited attendees to provide their contact information to one of his staff; who he had introduced to the crowd at the beginning of his ‘Leave No One Behind’ presentation.

I had my guard up as I’m sure others did: We would not be swayed by a wonderful orator after years of broken promises, and fighting VAC bureaucracy.

When I was invited to become part of the Advisory Committee to Mr. Stogran, I jumped at the chance to do more for the Veterans Community and to be on the ‘inside’. So, I can speak from experience and direct contact with the man, his staff and the office.

As far as the man is concerned, I am very pleased with him as our Ombudsman and this endorsement did not come easy. And I will not hesitate to point out any fair criticisms because the man is not egocentric; he welcomes it so that he may improve which leads to helping the veterans.

I have never seen the man waffle, like Mr Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs and those of Mr Thompson’s ilk. Mr. Stogran has been straight up with the media and the veterans. I am in awe of his courage in admitting his shortcomings. How many bureaucrats or politicians have ever or would ever do that? How many would give them selves a failing grade?  Not a one. They are more skilled at covering their asses.

Considering the obstacles placed in front of the man and office, I find it amazing that the office has been able to accomplish what it has. Thirty-Four percent of complaints brought to closure is nothing short of a miracle, considering his limited resources. That’s one third of the files brought to closure from an office that was set up from scratch, in a constant state of flux and with administrative Improvised Explosive Devices (IED’s) VAC set in its path.

For Mr. Thompson to say Mr. Stogran is insensitive to veterans clearly shows Mr. Thompson’s inability to fully grasp the plight of the very veterans his department is mandated by legislation to assist.  His asinine statement of Mr Stogran’s insensitivity is a projection of his own demonstrated and documented lack of sensitivity to the veteran.
Considering The Department of Veterans Affairs has been around longer than 18 months, it is they who should have addressed the issue of homelessness with their greater resources. Obviously, the first complaint inflow of unsatisfied veterans to the OVO indicates that the government is not doing everything in its power to help struggling veterans, contrary to the Minister’s claim. Read: lawsuits and Bill C-201 and other motions brought before parliament to address veterans issues.

Mr. Thompson’s statement shows how uninformed he is about the homeless, as well. Being on the fringe of society for years, most are unwilling and often times fearful of providing any information that would allow them to be tracked down by the government; paranoia is very common. I have offered to get help for the homeless I know and who know me by name, but they flat out refuse.

Going back to the Halifax gathering, I heard veterans (with homes) at my own table say they would not be bothered accepting Mr. Stograns invitation to speak to his staff because nothing was going to change, anyway. Despite his genuine open invitation to also contact his office by phone, email, or snail mail with their case particulars, input and/or constructive criticism on any shortcomings with his office, himself or staff being strongly encouraged. Short of the man, walking into the crowd with a pen and paper, himself, and strong arming what more could he do? Mr. Thompson is being pathetically ridiculous. This is a cut and dry case of shooting the messenger.

It should come as no surprise why soldiers hesitate to seek help for mental health issues or addictions, and less will be coming forward now, having witnessed how Mr. Stogran’s admission of shortcomings is being received and how small Mr. Thompson has shown himself to be. 

I have yet to hear of a time Mr Thompson has come off a podium to take names. I’m sure there are many in the Agent Orange crowd who would have loved to have had him within arms reach.

Give Mr Stogran the full credit, he has earned. He’s the only one who has gotten out from behind his desk and entered homeless shelters. Where was Mr Thompson or any of his predecessors?  Where was any one in government; including VAC critics from opposition parties or Senior Canadian Forces Officers? Mr. Stogran has shown leadership and concern for the wellbeing of the troops. Leadership before this man was sorely lacking. No one had the guts to put themselves on the line, as he has.

It’s true we are behind other countries in this area. VAC has not obtained stats on veteran’s suicides. However, I and others in the Advisory Committee have heard Mr. Stogran voice his concern with this issue, as well.

I, for one, hope Mr Stogran won’t resign. I believe him to be made of stronger stuff than quitting in the face of Mr. Thompson’s or anyone else’s petty comments and attitudes. If veterans are complaining, it is because his office is the first line of defence. The abuses and negation veterans have experienced has been going on for decades. Finally, they have an outlet for their frustrations. Understandably, they will have limited patience with any delays and little understanding for what his office has been up against. Many are dying: Time is not on their side.

If anything, his term should be extended until he and veterans are satisfied that the office has been adequately set up to handle the massive task before it. Until, this happens anyone else coming in to the position will be starting at ground zero with a steep learning curve in front of them.

I would be curious to find out the budget and resources given to the Veterans Review and Appeals Board (VRAB) and the Bureau of Pension Advocates (BPA). Members (27 to date) on VRAB receive salaries in excess of $100,000 this does not include their administration staff, airfare, hotels, transportation, meals etc. And lawyers, well, I won’t even guess at their salaries. VAC spends more on discounting and denying veterans than they do helping them.

There would be little need for VRAB or BPA, if VAC honoured the ‘Benefit of the Doubt’ clause in the Pension Act. The medical personnel VAC has on staff remind me of  the ambulance chasers Insurance Companies have working for them, only the strong and persistent will ever get compensation and benefits due them. Now we’re into the salaries of Doctors and Nurses. I would conservatively estimate half the thousands of backlogged claims now before these VAC sub departments would be cleared. VAC should be upping the OVO budget instead of returning millions of dollars to Mr. Flaherty.

I can assure Mr. Thompson, that should he consider using Mr. Stogran’s admissions against him and replacing him with someone who will tow the party line, he will lose the little credibility his Ministry has left.

Mr Stogran has opened himself and his office up for full public viewing: warts and all. I can’t say the same for VAC and its sub departments. Seeing behind the curtain at VAC has the same secrecy has seeing into the inner chambers of the Vatican.

Claudia Schibler, Halifax, NS
Writer, Veterans Advocate
OVO Advisory Committee Member, proudly serving with Mr. Patrick Stogran and his staff.