I trust most of us have read the book,"Animal Farm." To make my point, the rules initially were to benefit all on the farm. As time went on, the rules slowly started to change. Most were too busy to notice until it was too late.
Within the magazine, "Esprit de Corps," there was an interesting article reference the Military Family Fund. The highly knowledgeable individuals who wrote the piece, asked some very pointed questions. Very sound questions to be sure but, I have a few lingering ones myself.
If public money is given to support military families, why isn't the public in control of this fund? Why when you retire from the military are you no longer able to receive any assistance from this fund?
There are serving and retired military families suffering equally. Only serving military qualify, with conditions. Ah! the rub. It is all tightly controlled by the chain of command. As always, if you ask for help, you can't do it privately. You must tell your boss and he tells others and so on.
Pride is something military personnel have a lot of. Would it not be more clear and transparent if the civilians who gave money out of kindness and generosity, would control who benefits and who knows. Again with the military controlling the military fund, is this not yet another conflict of interest? I am sure many civilians would be happy to assist for no fee at all. Experienced military family members perhaps, might have a vested interest!!
Thursday 31 May 2012
Promoted Officers
In reviewing my files, I started looking at all the names of the officers who worked for, or commanded, the officer who elected to proceed against the orders, as written in CFAO 19-39. I found something quite odd. All of these officers, that I have traced thus far, were promoted. (disciplined.....?????)
I guess that was the one trait, as the complainant, I didn't achieve. This missing trait was, non-compliance with written orders.
I knew there was a reason I was the only one who didn't get promoted!
I guess that was the one trait, as the complainant, I didn't achieve. This missing trait was, non-compliance with written orders.
I knew there was a reason I was the only one who didn't get promoted!
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Official Complaint Filed With VAC Ombudsman - Missing Documents
If anyone needs info for access to this: Reference NO: 12-3680-149 filed electronically, 28 May 2012.
Complaint Summary - Most Recent Step Taken So Far
My initial application for benefits delayed for an excessive period of time due to relavant documents not available.
NOT FOUND: Letter from CDS to me and other Senior Officers
NOT FOUND: Agreement Between myself and the Queen on behalf of the Government of Canada.
Privacy Complaint Filed: Investigation done by Senior Investigator. Documents, NOT FOUND
My Request of the Veterans Ombudsman
How can Veterans prove their cases, if important documents are untraceable and go missing?
I am not a historian but, I believe strongly , that these documents must be at the National Archives or DND.
I kept my copy.
If I did not, my case, would not have been successful.
Question???
If the Canadian Government can misplace documents of such significance, what happens to other veterans documents?
The Governor General of Canada has been contacted by me. I asked him to look into this situation. He is by default the Commander and Chief of the Canadian Military and, the Queen's Representative.
I AM REQUESTING!
I am requesting your office (VAC Ombudsman) help me get to the bottom of this situation by supporting my request of the Governor General. (He was first contacted March 2012 - receipt acknowledged and again, 2 months later by Registered Mail. No reply, just Canada Post Confirmation)
I will be available, 1400 hrs, 06 June 2012, at the War Memorial, to answer any of your questions. I hope my work helps others looking for documents held by the Government.
Veterans Ombudsman Online Complaint
Complaint Summary - Most Recent Step Taken So Far
My initial application for benefits delayed for an excessive period of time due to relavant documents not available.
NOT FOUND: Letter from CDS to me and other Senior Officers
NOT FOUND: Agreement Between myself and the Queen on behalf of the Government of Canada.
Privacy Complaint Filed: Investigation done by Senior Investigator. Documents, NOT FOUND
My Request of the Veterans Ombudsman
How can Veterans prove their cases, if important documents are untraceable and go missing?
I am not a historian but, I believe strongly , that these documents must be at the National Archives or DND.
I kept my copy.
If I did not, my case, would not have been successful.
Question???
If the Canadian Government can misplace documents of such significance, what happens to other veterans documents?
The Governor General of Canada has been contacted by me. I asked him to look into this situation. He is by default the Commander and Chief of the Canadian Military and, the Queen's Representative.
I AM REQUESTING!
I am requesting your office (VAC Ombudsman) help me get to the bottom of this situation by supporting my request of the Governor General. (He was first contacted March 2012 - receipt acknowledged and again, 2 months later by Registered Mail. No reply, just Canada Post Confirmation)
I will be available, 1400 hrs, 06 June 2012, at the War Memorial, to answer any of your questions. I hope my work helps others looking for documents held by the Government.
Saturday 26 May 2012
Request for Ombudsman to Follow-up on GG Letter
Email sent to GG acknowledged receipt, requesting the GG investigate loss of documents listed above. GG covers Queens Documents and in Commander and Chief of Military. Most appropriate person to investigate (head of both).
No Response from GG Office after original acknowledgement.(March)
Called GG Office 2 month's later and no record of acknowledged email. There was no record of me contacting the Office of the GG even though I sent a REGISTERED LETTER to his Office and it was signed for by B. Benammar, 03 may 2012. Three months have now passed and I would like your Office to find out what exactly is being done. Losing these documents resulted in significant delays in receiving Veterans Benefits.
A complaint was filed with the Privacy Commission and an investigation was carried out by them. I was dis-satisfied with their initial investigation since letters from the Queen and CDS just do not go missing.
I responded to the Privacy Commission by REGISTERED LETTER signed for by B Wright 25 April 2012.
Requesting action. Following up with Eposting so this does not go missing too.
Wednesday 23 May 2012
I Expected More From The Governor General of Canada
In these days of modern technology, it is surprising who seems not to know important information. I learned at an early age, the 7 rules of being in the Government. These are:
Show concern!
Act surprised!
Admit nothing!
Deny everything!
Don't come first!
Don't come last!, and for god's sake
Don't volunteer!
Sounds about right doesn't it? I sent an email to the Governor General in March. I was responded to almost immediately by his office. My email was to be passed to the Communications Department. This location is where the email did go, didn't go, or no one knows because no one seems to know about this email.
Sound surprising? Sound Government like? Sound like the 7 rules listed above??
Luckily, not having just fallen off the "Apple Cart", I anticipated this Ostrich type behavior. I waited for a reasonable period of time (2 months) and as suspected, received nothing.
I called the Office of the Governor General and asked about the email I sent. The same one that they responded to. They indicated no such email or response was ever received or responded to. Funny because this was the reason why I wrote to the GG in the first place. I wrote to him, asking him to look into DND losing a letter sent to me from the CDS and one from the Queen, which had somehow gone missing.
Getting back to me not falling off the "Apple Cart", I had sent a Registered Letter to the Governor General, just in case this unusual situation might occur. Unusual you say? More like the norm.
They still said that they had no record of any correspondence from me. Bummer about the Registered Letter, signed for by B. Benammar.
The office will as before, get back to me. Please excuse me if I don't hold my breath on this one because, I am a Veteran with serious concerns and he is the Commander and Chief of the Canadian Military. Between himself and the Privacy Commission, who was asked about the same missing letters, somebody should know something about something.
It is funny. As a Veteran, the Commander and Chief didn't mind putting my life on the line following orders and going into war zones on behalf of Canada. I was not afraid. Is he afraid to answer some straight up questions from a Veteran. So far, it appears to be the case.
We Wait, Sir.
Show concern!
Act surprised!
Admit nothing!
Deny everything!
Don't come first!
Don't come last!, and for god's sake
Don't volunteer!
Sounds about right doesn't it? I sent an email to the Governor General in March. I was responded to almost immediately by his office. My email was to be passed to the Communications Department. This location is where the email did go, didn't go, or no one knows because no one seems to know about this email.
Sound surprising? Sound Government like? Sound like the 7 rules listed above??
Luckily, not having just fallen off the "Apple Cart", I anticipated this Ostrich type behavior. I waited for a reasonable period of time (2 months) and as suspected, received nothing.
I called the Office of the Governor General and asked about the email I sent. The same one that they responded to. They indicated no such email or response was ever received or responded to. Funny because this was the reason why I wrote to the GG in the first place. I wrote to him, asking him to look into DND losing a letter sent to me from the CDS and one from the Queen, which had somehow gone missing.
Getting back to me not falling off the "Apple Cart", I had sent a Registered Letter to the Governor General, just in case this unusual situation might occur. Unusual you say? More like the norm.
They still said that they had no record of any correspondence from me. Bummer about the Registered Letter, signed for by B. Benammar.
The office will as before, get back to me. Please excuse me if I don't hold my breath on this one because, I am a Veteran with serious concerns and he is the Commander and Chief of the Canadian Military. Between himself and the Privacy Commission, who was asked about the same missing letters, somebody should know something about something.
It is funny. As a Veteran, the Commander and Chief didn't mind putting my life on the line following orders and going into war zones on behalf of Canada. I was not afraid. Is he afraid to answer some straight up questions from a Veteran. So far, it appears to be the case.
We Wait, Sir.
Thursday 10 May 2012
Medical Administration for Veterans - Blue Cross vs. Sun Life
I received a respose back from Sun Life, the people who run the Public Service Health Care Plan. They indicated that they would be thrilled to take over the administration of our Veterans medical from Blue Cross but there is one thing we must do. See actions required below.
"The best way to make your voices heard is for each member who prefers their plan to be administered by Sun Life Financial to speak with the Pension Office individually is able to determine the depth of this request.You may contact the
Canadian Forces Pension Centre at 1-800-267-6542 for further assistance".
"The best way to make your voices heard is for each member who prefers their plan to be administered by Sun Life Financial to speak with the Pension Office individually is able to determine the depth of this request.You may contact the
Canadian Forces Pension Centre at 1-800-267-6542 for further assistance".
The Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act,
PART 4 GENERAL (Health Benefits)
Group insurance program
66.(1) The Minister may
(a) establish or enter into a contract to acquire a group insurance program ( I believe it to be Blue Cross for Veterans) comparable to the Public Service Health Care Plan established by the Treasury Board
(2) A member, a veteran or a member's or a veteran's survivor may elect to participate in a group insurance program referred to in subsection (1) if they meet the prescribed eligibility requirements.
I have been waiting 6 months for my latest decision from VAC / Blue Cross. When I deal with Sun Life ( Public Service Health Care Plan established by Treasury Board) I never wait more than two weeks for a decision.
I SEE A DIFFERENCE, DO YOU???
Tuesday 8 May 2012
Bargaining Power - Give It A Thought
I have put in my request for a financial summary of Blue Cross
Compensation. If we all did, then we might be able as a
group,approach other companies and negotiate a better and
more fair deal. Your choice of course but, it sure would give
us some real power to bargain with and ensure we get a
better system than what we have today.
Letter to Ombudsman - Opting Out Of Blue Cross
Opting Out Of Blue Cross
To ombudsman, Esprit de Corps, Josee McIver VAC Kirkland Lake, legion hq new, Peter Stoffer/Holley Brown, Peter Stoffer/Holley Brown NDP, Vet Advocasy
| From: | Michael Cole (thebobs1@sympatico.ca) |
| Sent: | May-08-12 10:23:14 AM |
| To: | ombudsman (info@ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca) |
| Cc: | Esprit de Corps (espritdecorp@idirect.com); Josee McIver VAC Kirkland Lake (josee.mciver@vac-acc.gc.ca); legion hq new (cgasser@legion.ca); Peter Stoffer/Holley Brown (stoffp@parl.gc.ca); Peter Stoffer/Holley Brown NDP (stoffp1@parl.gc.ca); Vet Advocasy (veteran_advocate@canadianveteransadvocacy.com) |
I am requesting a monetary breakdown of the costs paid for my current Blue Cross coverage. I realize more may be forthcoming but, I wish to put out applications with other health providers to see what services they can offer me.
Blue Cross in it's present form is for a Veteran, unworkable and someone like Sun Life might be happy to pick up the contract. I will be speaking to them soon regarding this asspect of my compensation.
I look forward to receiving the numbers and the methods used to determine the costs so I can have them verified. Thank you for your time.
michaelcole9112010@gmail.com
Captain (R) Michael I. Cole, CD1
thebobs1@sympatico.ca
VETERANS BLOG: michaelcole9112010.blogspot.com
TWITTER: Michael Cole @michaelthebobs1
Opting Out of VAC Blue Cross - Lack of Service
Time Limits Reached - Orthotics
| From: | Michael Cole (thebobs1@sympatico.ca) |
| Sent: | May-08-12 8:52:05 AM |
| To: | Josee McIver VAC Kirkland Lake (josee.mciver@vac-acc.gc.ca); ombudsman (info@ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca) |
| Cc: | Dave Nurse (dave.nurse@vac-acc.gc.ca); Esterina Lorelli (lorelli@bellnet.ca) |
Since filing my Application for Orthotics in 2011, the last unsigned response was dated 02 February 2012. Although an unsigned document is not a legal one (like an unsigned cheque), I thought it best to write and ask for a further update. 14 April 2012 I received a signed letter from VAC indicating that they would look into the matter starting then, 16 to 17 weeks since my last request. It has now been another 12 weeks since my response letter to VAC's unsigned letter and still no answer.
My Knees are getting progressively worse and I have requested a consequential claim for my knee issue caused by not being able to receive Orthotics for my feet. I am awaiting the paperwork.
So to re-cap; I submitted a request for Orthotics due to my loss of nerve function in both legs (nerve damage claim approved). I asked then for Orthotics to stabilize my feet so I would not get any further damage to my ankles or knees. It has now been in excess of 24 weeks I have been waiting for a response (1/2 year). My knees are so bad now I can't run at all and I am in constant pain while walking.
I would ask if you could RUSH this through but, I do not believe that my situation will be resolved.
I am contacting Blue Cross today and looking back into opting out of the VAC Blue Cross health plan. It seems impossible to get a timely response.
As a foot note, did VAC find any of the medical documents lost indicating why I was hospitalized for a month or are they still missing as is the letter from the Queen to myself?
michaelcole9112010@gmail.com
Captain (R) Michael I. Cole, CD1
thebobs1@sympatico.ca
VETERANS BLOG: michaelcole9112010.blogspot.com
TWITTER: Michael Cole @michaelthebobs1
Friday 4 May 2012
Heard Something - Recruiting Manual
I heard through the grape vine that Russ Williams was pictured prominently on the new recruiting publication. I understand that they are being recalled through an amnesty program so they don't get released to the general public. A lot of oversight there.
Did we pay for that one too??
Did we pay for that one too??
Tuesday 1 May 2012
Follow-up with the Governor General
Follow-Up to Email 03 March 2012
To GG, GG2, GG!, bob rae, BPA-BSJP-Toronto BPA-BSJP-Toronto, cbc, Equitassociety, esprit contact, Globe1, Josee McIver VAC Kirkland Lake, legion hq new, lisa laflamme, NDP, NDP, ombudsman, Peter Stoffer/Holley Brown NDP, Peter Stoffer/Holley Brown, TEMA, Todd van der Heyden, Vet Advocasy
| From: | Michael Cole (thebobs1@sympatico.ca) |
| Sent: | May-01-12 6:19:21 PM |
| To: | GG (info@gg.ca); GG2 (marie-eve.letourneau@gg.ca); GG! (christelle.legault@gg.ca) |
| Cc: | bob rae (bob.rae@parl.gc.ca); BPA-BSJP-Toronto BPA-BSJP-Toronto (bpa-bsjp-toronto@vac-acc.gc.ca); cbc (cbcnewsottawa@cbc.ca); Equitassociety (info@equitassociety.ca); esprit contact (mlblaisrcr@gmail.com); Globe1 (ted@tedbarris.com); Josee McIver VAC Kirkland Lake (josee.mciver@vac-acc.gc.ca); legion hq new (cgasser@legion.ca); lisa laflamme (news@ctv.ca); NDP (admin@lpco.ca); NDP (communications@lpco.ca); ombudsman (info@ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca); Peter Stoffer/Holley Brown NDP (stoffp1@parl.gc.ca); Peter Stoffer/Holley Brown (stoffp@parl.gc.ca); TEMA (admin@pandys.org); Todd van der Heyden (todd.vanderheyden@bellmedia.ca); Vet Advocasy (veteran_advocate@canadianveteransadvocacy.com) |
Sir; I realize that you of course are very busy with the upcoming visits of the Royal Family. I emailed you and your staff two months ago and I am writing you to follow up on my last correspondence. Other than the initial response I received confirming that your office did in fact get my email, I have not heard anything from your staff as to the progress made thus far.
michaelcole9112010@gmail.com
I have heard back from the Privacy Commissioners Office and have responded back to them. I respectfully request an update on the situation I inquired about. I look forward to getting closure on these matters.
I will be sending this email by Registered Mail tomorrow, just so I can be sure that it gets to the right location. Thank you in advance for your time and attention to this matter.
Captain (R) Michael I. Cole, CD1
thebobs1@sympatico.ca
VETERANS BLOG: michaelcole9112010.blogspot.com
TWITTER: Michael Cole @michaelthebobs1
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