Scheer promises to clear backlog of veterans waiting to receive benefits

Sep 22, 2019 | 8:42 AM

CANOE COVE, P.E.I. — Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer is promising to provide support to Canadian veterans by clearing a backlog of benefit applications within two years if elected.

Scheer says a Conservative government would use legislation to ensure every veteran can get services in a timely manner.

He says it will require a new investment, which the parliamentary budget officer has pegged at $50 million over two years.

Veterans Affairs Canada numbers show nearly 40,000 veterans were waiting at the end of last November to hear whether their applications for financial assistance would be approved — 11,000 more than the previous year.