Anglais
Canadian veterans’ fight for more benefits, support a legacy of First World War – National
[ad_1]
OTTAWA – When the armistice that ended the First World War was signed and the guns fell silent on Nov. 11, 1918, Canadians wearily celebrated what they hoped was the start of a new era of peace.
For thousands of Canadian veterans, however, – particularly those wounded by bullets, shells or gas attacks – a far different battle loomed: the fight with Ottawa for support and benefits.
It’s a battle that persists to this day.
READ MORE: Justin Trudeau visits Vimy Ridge exactly 100 years after end of First World War
Much has been made about Canada’s disproportionate contribution to the Allied war effort; more than 600,000 Canadians served in uniform, which represented around seven per cent of the young country’s 8 million people.
But there was a heavy financial cost that came with fielding such a large force – a cost that Ottawa initially believed would be covered by London, but which would later be borne by Canadians and result in a $2-billion deficit by the end of the war.
While the government did create veterans’ hospitals and disability pensions and provided some land to those who served, the services were difficult for many to access and extremely limited in actual benefits.
WATCH: Dutch PM’s special tribute to Canadian war veteran who helped liberate Netherlands from Nazis
Making matters worse was the fact many veterans had a hard time finding jobs.
“There was a great fear in Canada that we might get into the terrible mess that they got into in the U.S. after the Civil War with veterans’ pensions, which were an enormous economic cost on the federal public,” says author and historian John English.
“So we always had that in mind and we were conservative. But there was a sense of great disappointment.”
READ MORE: Canadian Jon Snyder helped save 50 Afghan recruits from the Taliban. Three days later, he died
The ensuing years would see the emergence of influential veterans’ organizations demanding Ottawa increase its support – and their sheer numbers ensured the government had no choice but to listen.
Hearings were held in Parliament, federal commissions were organized and the government opened its wallet, to the point where veterans’ pensions consumed more than 20 per cent of federal revenues starting in 1920.
One question went, and remains, unanswered: What does the government actually owe Canada’s veterans?
WATCH: Susan Campbell says giving veterans benefits to her daughter’s killer is ‘a wrong’ against her
Many veterans have pointed to a speech delivered to the troops by then-prime minister Robert Borden on the eve of the battle for Vimy Ridge as the genesis of a “social contract” or “social covenant” between the government and those in uniform.
“You need have no fear that the government and the country will fail to show just appreciation of your service to the country in what you are about to do and what you have already done,” Borden said.
“No man, whether he goes back or whether he remains in Flanders, will have just cause to reproach the government for having broken faith with the men who won and the men who died.”
READ MORE: Veterans Affairs doesn’t know how many family members receive government-backed benefits
The difficulty, says Canadian War Museum historian Tim Cook, is that while Borden promised the soldiers that their country would care for them, “no one could define that during the war and that led to a post-war conflict of what was owed to the veterans.”
Despite various agreements between veterans and the government, the dispute borne of that vague commitment more than 100 years ago continues even as it has evolved to include what is owed to veterans’ dependents, survivors and caregivers.
Most recently, six disabled veterans of the war in Afghanistan cited that speech in a high-profile lawsuit that alleged Ottawa broke its contract with veterans when it replaced the disability pensions available to previous generations with a lump-sum payment in 2006.
WATCH: Confusion over who qualifies for veterans’ family benefits
Government lawyers contended that Borden’s words were “political speeches not intended as commitments or solemn commitments” and noted that there is no “social contract or social covenant” enshrined in legislation.
The government’s argument was consistent with its longstanding practice, says David Bercuson, a military historian at the University of Calgary, namely that while it may have a moral obligation to support veterans, there is no legal obligation.
“In other words, ‘We’ll give you money, but you don’t have a right to that money. We have a moral obligation and also it helps to re-establish society’,” Bercuson says. “They don’t want to be nailed down to a legal obligation.”
After several years of litigation and negotiation, the courts sided with the government as the B.C. Court of Appeal struck down the veterans’ claim in December and the Supreme Court of Canada said in August that it would not hear the case.
WATCH: Liberals fail to meet own target on caseworkers for veterans
The moral question persists. Many veterans, angry at the Trudeau government for not bringing back the old pensions, hope the other parties will pick up the torch in next year’s election.
“Going forward, there’s only one solution and that solution at the current time is a political one,” said retired major Mark Campbell, who lost both legs in Afghanistan and was one of the six plaintiffs in the recently dismissed lawsuit.
“We’re not adverse to talking to the Conservatives. We’re not adverse to talking to the NDP. We’re not adverse to talking to anybody who will work to move the yardsticks forward in a positive way for the veterans’ community.”
ARCHIVES: Major Mark Campbell’s story echoes in the House of Commons
For his part, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in February defended the new system for providing compensation to veterans, which includes money for rehabilitation, job-training and career support. He added that some vets were asking for more than the government was able to give.
The comment prompted boos from the crowd in Edmonton and demands for an apology from the Tories, while highlighting the balancing act between helping veterans and fiscal prudence that successive federal governments have cited for not doing more since 1918.
The reality, says Wilfrid Laurier University historian Mark Humphries, an expert on mental health among veterans since the First World War, is that there is no real answer to the moral question because society – and veterans’ needs – are constantly changing.
“The veterans don’t simply end,” Humphries says. “They continue to age and they continue to then experience being a veteran differently depending on how far they are from that conflict.”
[ad_2]
Source link
In downtown Montreal, it’s festival season.
In the city’s entertainment district, a musical act was conducting a sound check on stage Friday evening — the second day of the French-language version of the renowned Just For Laughs comedy festival. Tickets for many of the festival’s free outdoor shows — limited by COVID-19 regulations — were sold out.
Two blocks away, more than 100 people were watching an acoustic performance by the Isaac Neto Trio — part of the last weekend of the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique, a celebration of music from the African continent and the African diaspora.
With COVID-19 restrictions continuing to limit capacity, festival organizers say they’re glad to be back but looking forward to next year when they hope border restrictions and capacity limits won’t affect their plans.
Charles Décarie, Just For Laughs’ CEO and president, said this is a “transition year.”
“Even though we have major constraints from the public health group in Montreal, we’ve managed to design a festival that can navigate through those constraints,” Décarie said.
The French-language Juste pour rire festival began on July 15 and is followed by the English-language festival until July 31.
When planning began in February and March, Décarie said, organizers came up with a variety of scenarios for different crowd sizes, ranging from no spectators to 50 per cent of usual capacity.
“You’ve got to build scenarios,” he said. “You do have to plan a little bit more than usual because you have to have alternatives.”
MONTREAL — MELS Studios will build a new film studio in Montreal, filling some of the gap in supply to meet the demand of Hollywood productions.
MELS president Martin Carrier said on Friday that MELS 4 studio construction will begin « as soon as possible », either in the fall or winter of next year. The studio could host productions as early as spring 2023.
The total investment for the project is $76 million, with the Quebec government contributing a $25 million loan. The project will create 110 jobs, according to the company.
The TVA Group subsidiary’s project will enable it to stand out « even more » internationally, according to Quebecor president and CEO Pierre Karl Péladeau. In the past, MELS Studios has hosted several major productions, including chapters of the X-Men franchise. The next Transformers movie is shooting this summer in Montreal.
Péladeau insisted that local cultural productions would also benefit from the new facility, adding that the studio ensures foreign revenues and to showcase talent and maintain an industry of Quebec producers.
STUDIO SHORTAGE
The film industry is cramped in Montreal.
According to a report published last May by the Bureau du cinéma et de la télévision du Québec (BCTQ), there is a shortage of nearly 400,000 square feet of studio space.
With the addition of MELS 4, which will be 160,000 square feet, the company is filling part of the gap.
Carrier admitted that he has had to turn down contracts because of the lack of space, representing missed opportunities of « tens of millions of dollars, not only for MELS, but also for the Quebec economy. »
« Montreal’s expertise is in high demand, » said Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, who was present at the announcement.
She said she received great testimonials from « Netflix, Disney, HBO and company » during an economic mission to Los Angeles in 2019.
« What stands out is that they love Montreal because of its expertise, knowledge and beauty. We need more space, like MELS 4, » she said.
There is still not enough capacity in Quebec, acknowledged Minister of Finance, the Economy and Innovation Eric Girard.
« It is certain that the government is concerned about fairness and balance, so if other requests come in, we will study them with the same seriousness as we have studied this one, » he said.
Grandé Studios is the second-largest player in the industry. Last May, the company said it had expansion plans that should begin in 2022. Investissement Québec and Bell are minority shareholders in the company.
For its part, MELS will have 400,000 square feet of production space once MELS 4 is completed. The company employs 450 people in Quebec and offers a range of services including studio and equipment rentals, image and sound postproduction, visual effects and a virtual production platform.
MAPEI Canada inaugure l’agrandissement de son usine à Laval, au Québec
Le Gala Elles reconnaissent célèbre les femmes remarquables de l’industrie de la construction
Préparez votre maison pour l’hiver afin d’éviter les réclamations d’assurance
Quatre façons de commencer à travailler dans le domaine des ventes
La Commission indépendante soutient le recours de la Cour suprême contre le déni des droits des non-francophones par le Québec
Justin Trudeau est un raciste contre les Noirs et les Premières Nations – 14 signes
Enfants aux études loin de la maison : Trois conseils pour veiller à la santé de leurs finances
Règles et règlements que toutes les entreprises canadiennes doivent connaître
Épargnez pour l’avenir grâce à nos trucs financiers pour la rentrée
Efficacité énergétique: 10 façons économiques de l’améliorer
Ces légendes du baccara vous dévoilent leurs secrets
Retard de vol : le devoir de la compagnie envers ses passagers
Nostalgia and much more with Starburst XXXtreme
Même les jeunes RÉPUBLIQUES se lassent du capitalisme, selon les sondeurs américains — RT USA News
« Aucune crise climatique ne causera la fin du capitalisme ! »
Innovation : le capitalisme « responsable », faux problème et vraie diversion
Vers la fin du Capitalocène ?
Le “capitalisme viral” peut-il sauver la planète ?
Livre : comment le capitalisme a colonisé les esprits
Patrick Artus : « Le capitalisme d’aujourd’hui est économiquement inefficace »
Body found after downtown Lethbridge apartment building fire, police investigating – Lethbridge
Comment aider un bébé à développer son goût
Head of Toronto Community Housing placed on paid leave
Salon du chocolat 2018: les 5 temps forts
This B.C. woman’s recipe is one of the most popular of all time — and the story behind it is bananas
Gluten-Free Muffins
We Try Kin Euphorics and How to REALLY Get the Glow | Healthyish
Man facing eviction from family home on Toronto Islands gets reprieve — for now
Condo developer Thomas Liu — who collected millions but hasn’t built anything — loses court fight with Town of Ajax
27 CP Rail cars derail near Lake Louise, Alta.
Ontario’s Tories hope Ryan Gosling video will keep supporters from breaking up with the party
Renaud Capuçon, rédacteur en chef du Figaroscope
Paris : chez Cécile Roederer co-fondatrice de Smallable
Ontario Tories argue Trudeau’s carbon plan is ‘unconstitutional’
100 years later, Montreal’s Black Watch regiment returns to Wallers, France
Trudeau government would reject Jason Kenney, taxpayers group in carbon tax court fight
Ford Ranger Raptor, le pick-up roule des mécaniques
Le Forex devient de plus en plus accessible aux débutants
Los Angeles poursuit The Weather Channel pour atteinte à la vie privée
The Bill Gates globalist vaccine depopulation agenda… as revealed by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
-
Anglais5 années agoBody found after downtown Lethbridge apartment building fire, police investigating – Lethbridge
-
Santé Et Nutrition4 années agoComment aider un bébé à développer son goût
-
Anglais5 années agoHead of Toronto Community Housing placed on paid leave
-
Styles De Vie5 années agoSalon du chocolat 2018: les 5 temps forts
-
Anglais5 années agoThis B.C. woman’s recipe is one of the most popular of all time — and the story behind it is bananas
-
Santé Et Nutrition6 années agoGluten-Free Muffins
-
Santé Et Nutrition5 années agoWe Try Kin Euphorics and How to REALLY Get the Glow | Healthyish
-
Anglais5 années agoMan facing eviction from family home on Toronto Islands gets reprieve — for now