Erin O'Toole, veterans affairs minister, moves to address complaints

Canada's Veterans Affairs Minister Erin O'Toole earned some praise this week from former soldiers after herolled out a batch of promises, as the Conservatives try to address veterans' complaints.

Last fall, then veterans affairs minister Julian Fantino faced opposition calls for his resignation or firing over his handling of the veteransportfolio. The department had faced heated criticism from veterans over the decision to close regional offices and for the lack of support for veterans with mental illness.

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In early January, Prime Minister Stephen Harperreplaced Fantino with O'Tooleandappointed longtime Conservative John MacDonell, an experienced political hand, asO'Toole's top adviser.

After less thana month on the job, O'Toolefaced backlash for some social media activityand over the news thatthe federal government spent about $700,000 fighting a class-action lawsuit by disgruntled, wounded Afghan veterans over the new Veterans Charter.

Since then, O'Toole has been outspoken in his desire for changes.This week has been especially active for O'Toole, with four key updates:

• March 9: Government promises to introducenew financial assistance for moderately and seriously disabled veterans who are 65 and older.
• March 12: O'Toole promises veteran amputees they will no longer have to verify lost limbs.
• March 13: Government takes a time-out from the class-action lawsuit over the new Veterans Charter in order to seek a possible settlement.
• March 13: O'Toole announces thatveteran reservists would gain access to same benefits as full-timemembers of the Canadian Forces.

After months of much-publicizedstruggleswith outspoken veterans, theactions to mend fenceshave been unprecedented and swift.

"This is what I promised the veterans community," O'Toole told Rosemary Barton on Power & Politics on Friday.

Thosepromiseshave madea positive impressionwith veterans ombudsman Guy Parent.

"It seems like the government is moving on some of the issues that the community at large has been putting forward," Parent said.

"We work with other advocacy groups to try to send the commonmessage, and I think finally the government understood that message and they're moving in the right direction."

Lump-sum payments, allowance remain issues

Some issues still remain afterFantino'sdeparture, includingthe disability award system.

One of the most controversial changes in the new Veterans Charter, introducedin 2006,was the replacement of lifetime pensions for injuries with a system of lump-sum payments. That remains the biggest sticking point for many veterans.

"Unfortunately [the new Veterans Charter] was on life-support for many years. I think we're now breathing some life into it," Parent said.

The ombudsman also found last year that nearly half of the most severely disabled ex-soldiers are not receiving the permanent impairment allowance, while those who do only get the lowest grade of the benefit.

Wounded soldiers forced to take lower-paying jobs or unable to work at all are eligible for the allowance.

Vets still see Conservatives as 'callous,' Liberal MP says

Mark Campbell, aplaintiff in the class-action lawsuit overthe new Veterans Charter,said he has become hopeful since O'Toole took over, but he preached cautious optimism.

As for Liberal MPGeoffRegan, heargued veterans'needs go beyond the recent slew of announcements.

"The veterans that I've talked to are still very frustrated with the attitude of this government that seems to be very callous," Regan said.

"From what I hear, most veterans don't think this government is very sincere."

Outspoken critic Mike Blais, who founded the Canadian Veterans Advocacy group, said he hopes O'Toole isn't introducing headlines "without substance."

As the budget and election loom, you can expect more headlines from O'Toole and more criticism from veteranson their substance.