Gen. Rick Hillier said he heard about the problem last week, and has some "big-brained people" working on the issue.
Gen. Rick Hillier promises to look after wounded soldiers, who are now losing their danger pay. (Les Perreaux/Canadian Press)The effects of the policy are being felt keenly now that Canada has soldiers getting wounded on a regular basis in Afghanistan.
"We're going to look after them," Hillier told reporters during a press conference at Canadian Forces College in Toronto.
Hillier said the military won't change the rules as they stand on danger pay, but said there will be no financial penalty suffered by Canadian soldiers pulled out after being wounded.
Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor also said his top staff will look into the matter.
"I've asked the senior military staff and department staff to look at how we treat wounded soldiers from a compensation point of view and they're moving quickly to look at that challenge," O'Connor said Friday
Injured soldier told in Germany
Trooper Jeffrey Hunter got the news his danger pay was being stopped shortly after he arrived at a military hospital in Germany, where he's on painkillers for a shattered leg.
Hunter, 23, was seriously wounded on Tuesday in a Taliban attack in Afghanistan that killed two other Canadian soldiers. He faces months of rehabilitation.
Under current military rules, if soldiers are injured and moved from Afghanistan, they lose their tax-free danger pay of $2,100 a month.
Military officials told the Toronto Star that the Department of Defence has the option of extending a soldier's danger pay for an extra 25 days. The military usually exercises that option to extend the benefit.
Hunter's father, Bill Hunter of Aurora, Ont., is angry and upset.
"They said they'd pay up to 25 days after leaving Afghanistan. Is the prime minister telling me I can sit my son down in 25 days and say, 'Listen, son, you're no longer in danger.' I don't think so."
It is not known when Hunter will return to Canada for further treatment.
Last Updated: Friday, October 6, 2006 12:01 PM ET
CBC News
3 comments:
While he is at it why doesn't Gen Hillier check out why
1. Military personel can't draw ei when they retire after paying into it for 20+ years
2. Military pensions are drastically reduced at age 65 (government clawback)
3. 30 billion dollars has not been returned to the Military/RCMP pension fund.(lawsuit in progress)
These funds were used by the government to reduce the federal deficit.
Thanks for the comment. Once again more examples of those with power or money screwing those who have not.
BOH
Also, it would be nice if people who wanted to say something actually left a name and not 'Anonymous'
BOH
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