Question Period Note: LEGAL COSTS

• Our Government does not take Veterans to Court.
• We do recognize and support the right that all Canadians have to pursue legal recourse.
• The Department of Justice assesses and defends all cases based on the merits of the claim and conducts all litigation in a respectful manner as required by the rules of court. The Attorney General of Canada represents federal government departments in all legal matters.
• In support of Canada’s Veterans, we provide free legal help in appearing before the Veterans Review and Appeal Board for those who may not be satisfied with decisions about their claims for disability benefits through the Bureau of Pensions Advocates, a nation-wide organization of lawyers within Veterans Affairs Canada.
• Regardless of on-going court actions, we continue to strengthen the support available to Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans and their families by delivering on a strong mandate that will restore critical access to services and support for financial independence. In fact, since 2016, we have invested over $10 billion of new money into these services and support for Veterans and their families.

BACKGROUND – LEGAL COSTS, VETERANS

From January 1, 2016, to January 31, 2018, Veterans Affairs Canada spent a total of approximately $37 million on legal proceedings involving veterans and veterans’ groups. This total is comprised of legal fees for court proceedings ($1.3 million), operating expenditures of the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, which provides an independent avenue of appeal for veterans’ disability benefits decisions ($18 377 946), and operating expenditures of the Bureau of Pension Advocates, which assists veterans in the preparation of applications for review or appeals before the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, and arranges for veterans to be represented by an advocate at hearings before the Veterans Review and Appeal Board free of charge to veterans ($17 954 906 million). Comments cannot be made on any cases currently pending before the courts.
The Government of Canada acknowledges the significant contributions that Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members have made, and continue to make, in protecting Canadians, and their peace and security, at home and around the world.

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