Discrimination Against Allied World War Veterans In Canada
By Lt Col Pritam Singh Jauhal (Retd) World War II Veteran.
On immigrating to Canada in 1980, I observed the highest discrimination against Allied World War Veterans. I therefore, decided to write a personal letter to the Prime Minister of my newly adopted Country, requesting him to withdraw the appropriate amendment to the Legislation and to treat all World War Veterans at par. The contents of my letter follow: Dated: May 31, 2002 The Right Honourable Jean Chretien Prime Minister of Canada House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1A 0A6 Dear Mr Prime Minister: At the outset, introducing myself, having the blood of a World War I Warrior father in my veins, I fought during World War II in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt and Libya from Aug 1940 to December 1942 in the 8th British Army commanded by Field Marshall Montgomery. My conscience forced me to address this letter to you by name on the most undesirable discrimination against Allied World War Veterans in Canada I sincerely hope you will not mind my direct approach to you through this letter. You having been in politics for over four decades, the Prime Minister for close to a decade and a Senior Citizen, know full well that tens of millions of our men and women laid down their precious lives fighting in both World Wars, leaving their aged parents, beloved spouses and beautiful tiny tots behind at the mercy of others. Did they fight for their personal benefits or for their families? No. They fought for the Democracy, in which different people could live together and enjoy freedom in peace. Irrespective of different nationalities, faiths and cultures, fighting in North Africa during World War II, the Allied Forces developed comradeship, esprit de corps, tenacity and formed themselves into United Family. Together we faced successive enemy air-raids, constant intensive tank, artillery and small arms fires and we survived. We also survived when our rations and water supplied by air were cut in half, and halved again, when faced with extreme heat and dust of the Western Desert of Africa. Fighting as a well-knit Team with valour, determination and high morale, we defeated the enemy in numerous battles, inflicting heavy casualties and taking thousands of Prisoners of War. Those of us who were lucky to survive, I being one of them, too had to go through the horrors of war and uncertainty of life. Many of us still suffer from wartime nightmares and the stresses of the Operations of War. In recognition of the sacrifices made by the World War Veterans, the Canadian Govt offered a wide range of services and benefits to qualified Veterans. Those included pension, disability pension, and health benefits. However, the Allied Veterans were required to have an additional ten years residency in Canada to qualify and were paid War Veterans’ Allowance and Medical benefits, depending on their total annual income. The Legislation was amended in 1995 so that ten year residency in Canada is no longer a method of meeting the residency requirement for Allied Veterans. However, those who are receiving benefits on or February 27, 1995 may continue to apply for and receive benefits, as long as they reside in Canada and meet the specified income requirements. Since February 27, 1995 no new applications have been accepted from Allied Veterans even on completion on their ten years residency in Canada. With the amended Legislation, the Federal Govt, I regret to say, has created a double standard by having two sets of rules - one for Canadian Veterans, and another for Allied Veterans. This, can not be called by any stretch of imagination to be fair. Does this mean that the sacrifices made by the Allied Veterans during the World Wars were of lesser degree than those made their Comrades, the Canadian Veterans? Or did the Allied Veterans not fight hard enough along with the forward- most troops, face-to-face with the enemy? Dear Prime Minister, knowing you as I do, I am certain you will not accept this injustice and discrimination against surviving Allied Veterans, who now are not too many in number and who have done their very best for the progress of Canada since their immigration. They fought when they were needed to in the World Wars, but now, being in their golden years, and sickly-looking, they need help from the Govt. Canada is one of the wealthiest Countries of the World. Its economy being much better than most countries, its budget has been surplus over the years, thanks to the policies of your Govt. The United Nations declared Canada as the best place to live for a good number of years. The Allied Veterans who fought during the World Wars and served Canada with their hearts and souls for its progress, definitely deserve a better life like other Canadians. Dear Prime Minister, in view of the facts explained above, I most respectfully urge you to please restore the Benefits of the Allied World War Veterans by withdrawing the un desirtable amendment to the Legislation enforced effective February 27, 1995. Looking forward to hearing from you. With warmest regards and best wishes. Yours sincerely, Lt Col Pritam Singh Jauhal (Retd) World War II Veteran Founding President Indian Ex- Servicemen Society British Columbia