Federal ministry officials confirmed to CBC News that they apologized directly to the veteran and launched “a thorough internal investigation.” “It’s just terrifying,” said Scott Maxwell, executive director of Wounded Warriors Canada. “A, how is this veteran and the family doing? And then B, what impact is this going to have on other veterans who may be in a similar situation, wanting to pick up a phone, call an agent or a manager for to seek care; “If just one veteran doesn’t make that call, we have a major problem.” Maxwell said it is difficult to understand how medical assistance in death, or MAID, would have been suggested in a conversation between a Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) employee and a veteran in need of assistance. He welcomed the information that an investigation was underway. He said the people involved in this investigation will have to “determine how it’s even possible or even remotely reasonable — but obviously, above all, to make sure that this veteran gets every opportunity for support that he needs … and then to truly watching and taking seriously this need for greater professional awareness and cultural competency training for all VAC staff.” Veterans Affairs Canada has been headquartered in Charlottetown since 1980, following a federal decentralization push in the late 1970s. (Tom Steepe/CBC) In a statement, Veterans Affairs officials said the department deeply regrets what happened in the unnamed veteran’s case, which led to a Global News report earlier this month. The statement said no evidence of similar incidents has been found and they believe this is an isolated incident. Medical assistance in dying counseling is not a VAC service. — Statement by Veterans Affairs Canada The statement went on to say, “Providing medical aid in dying counseling is not a VAC service. VAC case managers, veteran service agents, and veteran service team managers have no mandate or role to recommend medical aid to veteran clients .”
He promised more training
The department also said it would provide additional training for all its frontline staff. Maxwell said the ultimate goal of any such training should be to ensure all Veterans Affairs employees have a deep understanding of what life is like for sick and injured veterans, serving members of the Canadian Forces and first responders. “We know it could affect care,” Maxwell said of the lack of such understanding. “We know that at times it could further aggravate someone’s injury. I mean, this is a really complex, real thing that needs to be addressed as such — and as you can see, as we’re talking today, we still have a long way to go.”
MacAulay calls action ‘unacceptable’
After the story broke, Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay posted a statement on social media calling the incident “completely unacceptable,” adding: “I am deeply sorry for the harm caused to this veteran and their family in a time of need.” MacAulay is the Member of Parliament for the Prince Edward Island Riding of Cardigan, as well as Canada’s Minister of Veterans Affairs, based in Charlottetown since 1980. My statement on the recent news about Veterans Affairs Canada and Medical Assistance in Dying. pic.twitter.com/3BBP1fzcdw —@L_MacAulay Maxwell said Wounded Warriors Canada has not heard directly from the veteran at the center of the incident. But he said he wants all veterans to know that support is available anytime through groups like his if the incident has left anyone worried about contacting Veterans Affairs staff. “Help is available,” he said.
