IQALUIT
While the rest of Canada will see the Department of Veterans Affairs restore services and benefits lost during the previous government's reign, Nunavut will see that and more.

Canadian Rangers, such as these preparing a traditional Inuit dish of muktuk during survival skills training as part of Operation Nanook near Rankin Inlet Aug. 28, are eligible to receive services and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. - photo courtesy of Petty Officer Second Class Belinda Groves, Task Force Image Technician

"In the case of services to the North, and to Nunavut, it's actually going further (than restoring services). As we were looking at reopening the nine offices, our minister was quite supportive of us going further and having a bigger presence in our Northern territories, which up to now have been very limited at best," said Michel Doiron, assistant deputy minister of service delivery for Veteran Affairs Canada.

"There may not be that many veterans (in Nunavut) at the end of the day, but we feel very strongly that it doesn't matter if there's one or if there are a 1,000. They are entitled to these services and to the benefits."

Doiron said there are only 25 Armed Forces veterans identified in Nunavut.

"We believe there are more than that," he said.

"Interestingly enough, one of my (director generals) was out at an event this spring and she arrived at a very small location and there were three veterans of the Armed Forces, the regular forces, living in that community. We were not even aware these people were there. One of them actually needed care and we've connected with him and done it.

"Hopefully we'll be able to do more of that."

Veterans Affairs Minister Kent Hehr was in Yellowknife Aug. 31 to announce his department would provide this enhanced level of service and outreach to veterans and their families in Northern communities.

That's part of an infusion of $5.6 billion to improve veterans' benefits and services announced in the federal budget earlier in the year. This will include increased payments under the disability award and the earnings loss benefit, and expanded access to the permanent impairment allowance.

Doiron also said Canadian Rangers are considered reservists when on duty. They're all over the North and are entitled to benefits.

Veteran Affairs staff will travel to Iqaluit in November.

"We will be at the Services Canada building on (933) Mivvik Street," said Doiron. "Including flying up and flying down, they will be there a week - so a full two days, maybe two and a half, in the office. It will depend on the volume."

Doiron says the department hopes to see some Rangers and veterans visit the office and talk to staff.

"If we need more time, we're OK to stay that full week."

With the help of the Canadian Armed Forces, Joint Task Force North and Indigenous and Northern Affairs, Veteran Affairs will be actively promoting its new programs and services and asking veterans and Rangers to identify themselves.

"We're working with the Armed Forces to make sure the Rangers understand that there are programs available to them. We're going to be meeting with Ranger instructors, we're going to be talking to some of the Rangers themselves, and get this promoted throughout the North," said Doiron.

In addition, case managers will have their workload reduced to 25 files, rather than the 40 to 50 they currently have.

Case management is more specialized for Armed Forces veterans with a higher level of need

"As for the financial benefits, those are applicable to all veterans regardless of where they live. So, the disability awards, if a Ranger - and there are a lot of Rangers in Nunavut - happens to get hurt and it is service related, these additional funds would be applicable to that individual."

The department has also increased the survivor estate cash exemption under the funeral and burial program.

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