Letter to the Editor: The Legion Acknowledges Successful Letter-Writing Campaign
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Apr 3, 2013) - On 31 January 2013, The Royal Canadian Legion called on Legion members and Canadians to participate in a national letter-writing campaign to request that the government improve the Funeral And Burial Benefits Program for Veterans.
Tens of thousands of Legion members and Canadians sent letters to their respective Members of Parliament. The Legion's national letter writing campaign clearly worked as we now have an increase in the funding for funeral costs and the removal of restrictions around its use. The Government also stated in the budget it will work with the Royal Canadian Legion to ensure that veterans continue to receive the support they need for a dignified funeral and burial as there are still two other remaining items - opening funeral and burial benefits to low-income, post-Korean War Veterans and increasing the estate value exemption to a more realistic level.
While the federal government has provided an increase to the funeral grant, the recent announcement does not address the accessibility to the program or its extension to low income Canadian Forces Veterans. The Royal Canadian Legion will continue press the Government to implement the much needed improvements to funeral and burial benefits program for all Veterans and their families.
The Legion's letter writing campaign outlined what needed to be done and how easy it would be for Government to change and the government responded. There should be no doubt that the issue of adequate funeral and burial support is an urgent issue for all Veterans and we will continue to be the voice of all Veterans on this issue.
The Legion is firm in its stance on this issue to ensure that all Veterans receive the benefits they deserve and we look forward to further discussions and consultations with the government for the much needed improvements to this program on behalf of all Veterans and their families.
I wish to thank all Legion members and Canadians who responded to my request and sent letters to their Member of Parliament on behalf of Veterans. I am truly grateful.
Lest We Forget,
Gordon Moore, Dominion President
The Royal Canadian Legion
