The evolution of Canada’s support to its veterans

The supports and benefits available to Canadian veterans have changed a number of times over the last 100 years. Here are some of the key dates along the way:

1914-18 — Nearly 620,000 Canadians enlist to fight during the First World War, with almost 425,000 serving overseas. Nearly 61,000 are killed and another 172,000 are wounded before the war ends.

1919 — The Pension Act is introduced by the government and will form the foundation of Canada’s treatment of veterans injured while serving. It offers a lifelong pension for disabilities that would consume 20 per cent of federal revenues in 1920.

1939 — The Second World War begins. The federal government extends the benefits and support contained in the Pension Act to include the more than one million Canadians who serve in the conflict. It also starts adding several new programs.

1944 — The federal government creates the Department of Veterans Affairs, which takes over responsibility for the care of Canadians who have served in uniform.

1945 — By the time the Second World War ends, more than 45,000 Canadians have been killed and another 55,000 wounded.

1947 — The Veterans Charter is enacted, bringing together the Pension Act and the other different programs created to help those who have served in uniform into one suite of support and benefits.

1950 — The Korean War begins.

1951-54 — The Veterans Charter is amended and expanded several times to include those fighting in the Korean War.

1955-2000 — The Pension Act and Veterans Charter undergo numerous minor amendments in response to emerging concerns and complaints from ill and injured veterans, including those participating in peacekeeping and NATO missions.

2001 — Gaps and shortcomings are identified in the existing suite of veteran supports amid a surge in the number of military members being released for health reasons. The first of an eventual 40,000 Canadian soldiers deploy to Afghanistan after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

2006 — The New Veterans Charter is introduced and rushed through Parliament with all-party support as Canadian soldiers begin returning in large numbers from Afghanistan with injuries. Stephen Harper’s Conservative government begins to implement it.

2011 — The Harper government makes several changes to the New Veterans Charter but does not reinstate the Pension Act. A group of Afghan war veterans with disabilities, and their supporters, form the Equitas Society and launch a class-action lawsuit.

2014 — The B.C. Supreme Court rules there is merit to the Equitas lawsuit to proceed to trial. The federal government appeals to the B.C. Court of Appeal, asking it to strike down the case.

2015 — Justin Trudeau promises a newly elected Liberal government will end the government’s fight with Equitas and reinstate the previous lifelong pensions. After the election, the Liberals continue to fight in court.

2017 — The B.C. Court of Appeal strikes down the Equitas lawsuit, saying it has no chance of success. The Liberals unveil their Pension for Life, which adds some more benefits to the New Veterans Charter and lets veterans take the previous lump-sum payment over a longer term.

2018 — The Supreme Court declines to hear the Equitas lawsuit. 

2019 — The parliamentary budget office finds the Pension for Life does provide more benefits than the New Veterans Charter to most veterans, but not as much as the Pension Act. The Pension for Life comes into force.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 9, 2021.

The Canadian Press