To all:- I listened intently and only heard the $24,000 one-time payment to veterans who had tested chemical agents -- not one word about what is in the following letter, unless in caucus or Hansard. Read it and save -- if a veteran!! Muriel M. Davidson muriel_davidson@sympatico.ca =============================== May 25, 2004 Mrs. Muriel M. Davidson 25 Crestview Avenue Brampton, Ontario L6W 2R8 Dear Mrs. Davidson:- Thank you for your e-mail message regarding the $50 million compensation for volunteers who participated in chemicalagent warfare experiments. I regret the delay in responding. The soldiers who volunteered for and participated in chemical agent warfare experiments at Suffield or Ottawa between the 1940's and the 1970's dutifully served their country and provided the foundation for the development of Canada's response to the real and present threat of chemical warfare. The $50 million recognition program announced by the Canadian Government is an acknowledgement of their sacrifice and their service to Canada. You may be assured that the government's desire to offer recognition to these brave soldiers is sincere, as is its intent to prevent a recurrence of such experimentation. I am sorry to learn that you believe the $24,000 one-time payment offered to these Veterans is insufficient. This payment is in addition to any disability pension benefits to which they may be entitled. It is comparable to payments made by the government to other groups of Canadian Veterans such as the Merchant Navy Veterans, Aboriginal Veterans and certain Prisoners of War (POWs). Those payments were awarded for lost opportunity, suffering, hardship and, in the case of the POW's, slave labout and the length of incarceration. In response to your other concerns, I want to assure you that members of the Forces who participated in chemical testing are recognized as Veterans and are eligible for health care for their pensioned disabilities. Some may also be eligible for benefits under the Veterans Independence Program and for funeral and burial grants from the Last Post Fund. Please be assured that Veterans Affairs Canada provides services and benefits, including disability pensions and health care, to whose who suffer from service-related PTSD**. The Department has been developing a national network of operational stress injury clinics to provide standardized assessment, treatment, prevention and support to servingCanadian Forces members and Veterans Affairs Canada pensioners. Educational programs, as well as individual, group and family counselling are also available. I hope this information is helpful. Yours sincerely, The Honourable John McCallum, P.C., M.P. Minister of Veterans Affairs ==== PTSD = Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome -- To date more than 12 have been treated at Sunnybrook Veteran's Wing, all young men -- all have returned to their duties.