Former Soldiers Want Ottawa To Address Stress Claims

A group of military veterans is willing to settle their lawsuits with the federal government for about $10 million, a fraction of the $100 million in claims they've made, a spokesman said Thursday.

The 26 members of the Military Collective have sued Ottawa, claiming that they were ill-prepared for missions in places such as Somalia, Afghanistan and the former Yugoslavia, and that they haven't been given adequate post-mission support.

Retired soldier Georges Dumont, says the 26 members of the Military Collective would rather settle their lawsuits than fight. Georges Dumont, who was in the military for more than 20 years, told an Ottawa media briefing Thursday that he suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. The former sergeant is one of the soldiers who has sued the government.

He said the members would rather settle their cases than fight. Suggesting that the government is trying to tie them up in procedural delays "until you die," he noted that no one in the military actually read his complaint until several years after he launched his case.

The group had 50 members but has shrunk to 26 because members are ill and have no money, he said. "How can you fight the Crown? I don't have the same wallet."

One young soldier came back from Afghanistan suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, and it took him two and a half years to get a $600-a-month pension from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The man lives in a trailer, can't work and can't function, Dumont said. He's tried to commit suicide four times. "For most of these men, dying seems to be the easy thing. It's living that's hard for these guys," he said.

Dumont runs a 1-800 number for veterans, and has a bed available 24-7. "We've got the sick helping the sick," he said.

The group is not just fighting for themselves, he said. The members want to ensure that the barriers they face will not confront veterans returning from Afghanistan.

Source: CBC News

This is such sad reality.

We have the same problem over here. We want to fight for Queen and country. But Queen and Country don't want to know what happens to us after we leave the army.
Scott

Too little, too late for some...my husband committed suicide 6 months ago. Suffered from PTSD and the Cdn govt didn't do much to help him. He saw a "social worker" for 5 years. I'm not passing blame, but nobody did anything to help him.

Yes. Same thing happened to my brother. Committed suicide while on a stress leave from the military. He was supposed to be receiving help, and desperately needed it. Unfortunately little was given.

I am very sorry about your husband. Hope you find some comfort on the forum. There are many good people here.

Jim.