Question Period Note: VETERANS REVIEW AND APPEAL BOARD – APPOINTMENTS

• This government is committed to open and merit-based appointments that strive for gender parity and reflect Canada’s diversity.

• As of November 2019, the Board has 17 full-time permanent Members including:
o 4 Canadian Armed Forces Veterans;
o 4 former members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or municipal police force;
o 10 women and 7 men; and
o 8 Members are fluent in both of Canada’s official languages.

• The Board’s work for Veterans is supported through the timely appointment of qualified Canadians.

• The Board operates independently of the Minister and/or Veterans Affairs Canada.

• For this reason, I am unable to comment on the decisions or other adjudicative affairs of the Board.

BACKGROUND – VETERANS REVIEW AND APPEAL BOARD - APPOINTMENTS

Current Status

The Board currently has 17 Members (including the Chair and Deputy Chair). Board members have varied professional experiences: Four are Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces; three are Veterans of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; one is a former police officer; and, eight are lawyers. Other backgrounds include public service. Ten of the Members are women and seven are men. Eight of the 17 Members are fluent in both of Canada’s official languages.

The Board uses transparent and merit-based processes to ensure that all Members have the skills and abilities needed to fulfill the Board’s mandate on behalf of Veterans. The Board Chair advises the Minister of appointment needs in terms of operational requirements, location, language, gender, diversity and experience.

Governor in Council Appointments to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board

Under the Veterans Review and Appeal Board Act, the Governor in Council appoints Members as required by the workload (no more than 25 permanent Members and any number of temporary Members). Members are mandated to conduct hearings for Veterans across Canada, to apply the broadest interpretation of the law to their cases, and to write decisions with reasons.

Member Training

The Chair of the Board ensures that Members receive on-going professional development to support them in making fair, consistent, and well-reasoned decisions for Veterans and their families.

Before hearing and deciding cases, all new Members receive rigorous training on the legislation, administrative law, the weighing of evidence, military issues, medical conditions, the conduct of hearings and decision writing.

After their initial training, Members participate in regular and targeted professional development. They also have access to staff in legal and quality management roles to support them in their work as specialized adjudicators.

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