“You ain’t seen nothing yet.’’
Those were the words from retired colonel Pat Stogran on Thursday, refusing to back down from his emotional appeal in front of the national media earlier this week.
Stogran is in Charlottetown this week, promising to do his best as the ombudsman for Veterans Affairs Canada to see that veterans are treated better than they have been.
In an interview with The Guardian Thursday afternoon, Stogran vowed to step up the tempo and the rhetoric that has been making headlines across the country since the federal government told him more than a week ago his three-year contract was not going to be renewed after it runs out in three months.
Stogran said he doesn’t have a problem with individuals at the Department of Veterans Affairs headquarters in Charlottetown. It’s the system and the bureaucracy he has a problem with.
“It’s the long-standing practices, the failure of things to move up the chain, the insensitivity at the highest levels and I’m not talking about the elected officials, I’m talking about the central agencies, the senior bureaucrats,’’ Stogran said. “The rank and file are very proud of the work they do and they’re a little upset that I would be talking so harshly about them.’’
P.E.I. Senator Percy Downe said Thursday it’s not the relocation of the department — as has been speculated of late but flatly rejected by federal Veterans Affairs Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn — that is the issue but the continuing reduction in services to veterans and their families.
“If the minister continues with his proposal to reduce the number of employees in the department, this will only compound the problem,’’ Downe said. “The main concern I continue to hear from veterans has to do with the decline in the quality of services they are receiving from the department.’’
Stogran said the possibility the 1,200-employee headquarters. The federal minister said the speculation about moving out of the P.E.I. capital were not true.
The government sends troops into harm's way. If you are not going to treat them right when they come back don't send them over there to begin with - Ombudsman for Veterans Affairs Canada Pat Stogran
Lee said Blackburn also addressed the review in Wednesday’s letter.
“That review is simply to address the issue of evaluating how they are servicing the veterans and how they can possibly better provide service to the veterans,’’ Lee said. “Quite frankly, the internal review, to me, is a positive move.’’
Still, in an interview The Guardian did with Blackburn when he was in Charlottetown, the minister did not deny that downsizing was an option.
Lee said he isn’t worried about downsizing.
“This review presents the opportunity to look at their operation, look at how they’re doing their jobs and (find out) if there’s a better way of serving the veterans. I’m not the least bit concerned about downsizing or anything else. I think, quite frankly, the review will sustain the department long term.’’
P.E.I. Senator Percy Downe said he is worried about downsizing.
“I hear from many, many veterans they have problems accessing benefits,’’ Downe said.
“If you reduce the number of employees, veterans will not be able to get the services they require.’’
Charlottetown mayoral candidate Philip Brown said he sympathizes with Cundell, saying it can be frustrating dealing with bureaucracy.
“I understand (Cundell’s) frustration,’’ Brown said.
“In the past, I have made requests to the Canada Revenue Agency and it took me, minimum, two weeks to get the right person.’’
In terms of possible downsizing, Brown said it doesn’t make sense to cut the department at its core.
No we don't have conscription because there are enough brave young Canadians that volunteer to join the Armed Forces. But they are told from day one that they will get compensated for injuries. But when it comes time to actually claim for job related injuries, it becomes another fight for them. It seems most applicants get turned down on their first application, then fight for compensation, then get inadequate compensation and have to fight again to get the compensation they deserve. From my point of view it was like the DVA hoped I would get tired of fighting them before I actually got the compensation I deserved.