May 26, 2010

Hon. Jean-Pierre Blackburn, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada
66 Slater Street, 14th Floor
Ottawa, ON K1A 0P4

Dear Minister Blackburn:

Our Canadian veterans deserve the very best support available in recognition for the significant sacrifices they have made for Canada.

The War Veterans Allowance is an important and much needed form of financial assistance for veterans and their families; however, I have been contacted by veterans who have explained that the formula for the War Veterans Allowance is lower than that used by the Government of Canada for the Guaranteed Income Supplement for seniors.

Is your department considering a review of the income requirement for the War Veterans Allowance to ensure that it is set at an appropriate level in order to reach all eligible veterans?

In addition, is your department considering changing the eligibility to the Veterans Independence Program so that Allied veterans may qualify without having to receive the War Veterans Allowance?

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,
Percy E. Downe
Senator