Leaked documents show government intended to save on veterans’ benefits

One internal analysis by Veterans Affairs projected annual savings of up to $40 million.

In a development that could reignite the heated debate over the treatment of Canada’s soldiers by Veterans Affairs, a large cache of leaked documents shows that under a new benefit plan instituted in 2006, the department knew injured soldiers would receive less benefits. The reduction in benefits came during Canada’s largest military operation since the Korean War. Last summer outgoing Veterans Ombudsman Pat Stogran made waves in Ottawa by blasting the veterans bureaucracy for shortchanging soldiers. The government responded by saying it would inject $2 billion into the department, but Stogran says the leaked documents show that money should have been there in the first place.