"Canadian Forces ombudsman to examine reservists’ long wait for severance"
Part-time soldiers who leave the military sometimes have to wait a year or more for their severance pay because of a troubled system that is to be investigated by the Canadian Forces ombudsman.
A spokeswoman says the backlog is the result of staffing shortages within the department, which officials are trying to correct. This is the latest in a series of grievances for reserve soldiers, who often face not only discrimination within the ranks because of their part-time status, but on an institutional level when it comes to benefits and care. Canadian Forces ombudsman Pierre Daigle has written extensively about the treatment of reserve members, who hold civilian jobs but dedicate weekends and vacations to military training. Mr. Daigle’s office has received numerous complaints about severance and pegs the waiting time between nine and 17 months. “The position of the ombudsman is that excessive delays in providing CF members with their hard-earned financial entitlements is unfair and potentially places a financial burden on departing member and their families,” spokesman Jamie Robertson said. The ombudsman will conduct a systemic investigation this fall, Mr. Robertson added.
Captain Amber Bineau, a National Defence Department spokeswoman, said full-time soldiers wait up to 18 weeks for their severance. Severance for both full and part-time soldiers is based upon length of service determined by an audit of the individual’s personnel file. She said the department has received at least 13 complaints in the past year about delays getting severance cheques out.
^ It seems that the Canadian Government is full of long wait periods and lots of excuses. I remember I had to wait 18 months for my Citizenship Card and that was considered an "easy" case. Tourists and students also have to wait long periods to learn whether they will get a Canadian visa or not. Canada is a small country (in terms of population) and you would think it could get things done more easily and effectively than the US (which has millions of more people) but it seems that Canada can not get it's act together. Regardless, no solider (full-time or part-time) serving any country should have to "fight" their own Government for the benefits they are owed. That is a disgrace that plagues millions of soldiers around the world - their governments use them and then lose them. ^
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canadian-forces-ombudsman-to-examine-reservists-long-wait-for-severance/article14060533/
Captain Amber Bineau, a National Defence Department spokeswoman, said full-time soldiers wait up to 18 weeks for their severance. Severance for both full and part-time soldiers is based upon length of service determined by an audit of the individual’s personnel file. She said the department has received at least 13 complaints in the past year about delays getting severance cheques out.
^ It seems that the Canadian Government is full of long wait periods and lots of excuses. I remember I had to wait 18 months for my Citizenship Card and that was considered an "easy" case. Tourists and students also have to wait long periods to learn whether they will get a Canadian visa or not. Canada is a small country (in terms of population) and you would think it could get things done more easily and effectively than the US (which has millions of more people) but it seems that Canada can not get it's act together. Regardless, no solider (full-time or part-time) serving any country should have to "fight" their own Government for the benefits they are owed. That is a disgrace that plagues millions of soldiers around the world - their governments use them and then lose them. ^
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canadian-forces-ombudsman-to-examine-reservists-long-wait-for-severance/article14060533/
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