Source: http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2018/2018-06-02/html/notice-avis-eng.html
Timestamp: 2019-08-23 07:07:58
Document Index: 663915849

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 2', 'art 2']

Canada Gazette, Part 1, Volume 152, Number 22: GOVERNMENT NOTICES
Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 152, Number 22: GOVERNMENT NOTICES
Publication of results of investigations and recommendations for a substance — phenol, 2-(1-methylpropyl)-4,6-dinitro- (dinoseb), CAS RNfootnote1 88-85-7 — specified on the Domestic Substances List (paragraphs 68(b) and (c) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999)
Whereas a summary of the draft screening assessment conducted on phenol, 2-(1-methylpropyl)-4,6-dinitro- (dinoseb) pursuant to paragraphs 68(b) and (c) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (Act) is annexed hereby; and
Summary of the draft screening assessment of dinoseb
Pursuant to section 68 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health have conducted a screening assessment of phenol, 2-(1-methylpropyl)-4,6-dinitro-, commonly known as dinoseb. The Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CAS RN) for dinoseb is 88-85-7. This substance was identified as a priority for assessment on the basis of human health concerns.
Dinoseb was used in Canada as an herbicide until 2001, when all of its herbicidal uses were prohibited. The only current use in Canada is as a polymerization retarder in the production of styrene monomer. Information obtained under the export notification provisions of the Rotterdam Convention, and from follow-up discussions with industry, indicates that dinoseb was imported into Canada in 2015 in a quantity between 100 000 and 1 000 000 kg.
Releases of dinoseb to surface water are possible and, based on information about use patterns, these releases would be continuous. In water, dinoseb will hydrolyze slowly, and it is not readily biodegradable. Degradation by photolysis can occur at a moderate rate, but will vary depending on factors such as water depth and turbidity. Overall, dinoseb is expected to persist in water. Dinoseb is slightly persistent in air, although significant releases to that medium are not expected. Dinoseb is not expected to bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms.
There are historical environmental monitoring data for dinoseb from the time it was used as an herbicide, as well as from shortly after it was banned for that use. However, there are no current environmental monitoring data for dinoseb in surface water, air, sediment or soil in Canada. An exposure analysis was conducted to estimate the predicted surface water concentrations of dinoseb due to releases from its use in the chemical sector. Comparing potential exposures to effect levels indicates that there is a possible risk of harm to aquatic organisms from dinoseb. The potential for harm is supported by other lines of evidence, including persistence and long-range transport in water.
Dinoseb has previously been assessed through the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Cooperative Chemicals Programme, and the OECD Screening and Information Data Set Initial Assessment Report (SIAR) was used to inform the health effects section of this screening assessment. The main endpoint of concern for dinoseb is reproductive and developmental toxicity, based on effects on sperm parameters in male rats and subsequent decrease in gestation index in an oral study, and maternal and fetal toxicity in an oral study in rats and a dermal study in rabbits. Dinoseb is no longer used as a pesticide, nor is it used in products available to consumers. Recent drinking water monitoring data from various municipalities across Canada show no detection of dinoseb. Exposure of the general population in Canada to dinoseb through environmental media, food, or the use of products is not expected. Any population exposure resulting from potential releases to surface waters from industrial uses would still be several orders of magnitude less than levels associated with health effects. Based on these considerations, the potential risk to human health is considered to be low.
Considering all available lines of evidence presented in this draft screening assessment, there is a risk of harm to organisms but not to the broader integrity of the environment from dinoseb. It is proposed to conclude that dinoseb meets the criteria under paragraph 64(a) of CEPA as it is entering or may enter the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that have or may have an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment or its biological diversity. However, it is proposed to conclude that dinoseb does not meet the criteria under paragraph 64(b) of CEPA as it is not entering the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that constitute or may constitute a danger to the environment on which life depends. It is also proposed to conclude that dinoseb does not meet the criteria under paragraph 64(c) of CEPA as it is not entering the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health.
It is proposed to conclude that dinoseb meets one or more of the criteria set out in section 64 of CEPA.
It is proposed to conclude that dinoseb meets the persistence criteria but not the bioaccumulation criteria as set out in the Persistence and Bioaccumulation Regulations of CEPA.
Pursuant to paragraph 11.1(1)(b) of the Financial Administration Act, the Treasury Board of Canada hereby provides notice of the following occupational group changes: the Computer Systems (CS) Group, effective March 18, 1999, as defined and published in Part I of the Canada Gazette on March 27, 1999, is replaced by the Information Technology Group, effective June 2, 2018. The following definition will apply to the Information Technology Group effective June 2, 2018.
The definitions of the Technical Services (TC) Group, effective March 18, 1999, as published in Part I of the Canada Gazette on March 27, 1999, the Research (RE) Group, effective March 18, 1999, as published in Part I of the Canada Gazette on March 27, 1999, the Radio Operations (RO) Group, effective May 15, 2014, as published in Part I of the Canada Gazette on July 26, 2014, and the Electronics (EL) Group, effective May 15, 2014, as published in Part I of the Canada Gazette on July 26, 2014, are revised as follows upon the effective date of the Information Technology Group.
Information Technology (IT) Group Definition
The Information Technology (IT) Group comprises positions for which the application of comprehensive computer systems knowledge is the primary requirement to the development, implementation and/or maintenance of information technology systems and infrastructure.
designing, developing, integrating, deploying, and/or maintaining software, hardware, or network systems;
providing technical support, service and control for software, hardware, and network infrastructure;
providing technical analysis, advice and recommendations on IT systems, products and services;
researching, developing, implementing, or evaluating information technology policies, directives, standards, and frameworks; or
leading, managing, or supervising any of the above activities.
Positions excluded from the Information Technology Group are those whose primary purpose is included in the definition of any other occupational group or those in which one or more of the following activities is of primary importance:
the planning, development, delivery or management of administrative and federal government policies, programs, services or other activities directed to the public or to the Public Service;
the support or provision of administrative, scientific, professional or technical services that may involve limited or specific application of information technology skills and knowledge as an auxiliary to the performance of the activities central to the primary purpose of the position (for example, positions using geographic information systems, web development, human resource systems or performing scientific research); or
planning, business analysis, information management (that is, positions that support the management of information in an organization, such as organizing, disseminating, disposing, or preserving), or data manipulation activities that do not require comprehensive information technology systems knowledge (for example, positions which are responsible for the content generated by the information technology system and not responsible for the system itself); or
operating electronic equipment to communicate information for the safety of life at sea, the protection of the environment and the efficient movement of marine vessels and to monitor radio aids to marine navigation and the provision of associated advisory services; or
applying electronics technology to the design, construction, installation, inspection, maintenance and repair of electronic, radio and associated equipment, systems and facilities and the development and enforcement of regulations and standards governing the use of such equipment; or
the operation, scheduling or controlling of the operations of electronic equipment used in the processing of data for the purpose of reporting, storing, extracting and comparing information or for solving formulated problems according to prescribed plans; or
where a comprehensive knowledge of engineering, engineering technology or its specialized techniques is the prime requirement in: the planning, design, construction or maintenance of physical systems, structures or equipment; the development or application of engineering standards or procedures including the planning, design, construction or maintenance of buildings, equipment, structures or systems such as transportation, telecommunications, utilities or water use projects; or the development or modification of physical systems or equipment for use in special purpose computer systems applications; or the provision of advice, the conduct of studies, the development and application of related standards and procedures.
the application of comprehensive computer systems knowledge to the development, implementation and/or maintenance of IT systems and infrastructure; and
the application of comprehensive scientific and professional knowledge to one of the applied science and engineering programs involving the following: actuarial science, agriculture, architecture, landscape architecture, urban and rural planning, biology, chemistry, engineering, land surveying, forestry, meteorology, physical sciences, which include physics, planetary and earth sciences, patents and scientific regulation as defined in the Architecture, Engineering and Land Survey Group and the Applied Science and Patent Examination Group;
the application of comprehensive computer systems knowledge to the development, implementation and/or maintenance of IT systems and infrastructure;
the planning, development, conduct or management of lawfully authorized telecommunications interceptions in support of police operations; and
the application of comprehensive computer systems knowledge to the development, implementation and/or maintenance of IT systems and infrastructure.
the planning, development, conduct or management of lawfully authorized telecommunications interceptions in support of the police operations; and
Notice of intent to amend the Veterans Well-being Regulations
Notice is hereby given that the Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) intends to recommend to the Governor in Council that amendments be made to the Veterans Well-being Regulations (the Regulations) in accordance with amendments being sought to the Veterans Well-being Act through the Budget Implementation Act, 2018, No. 1 (Bill C-74). These proposed changes are required to introduce a new suite of benefits that will provide recognition, income support, and stability to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and veterans who experience a service-related illness or injury.
The statutory changes being proposed in the Budget Implementation Act, 2018, No. 1 require that aspects of the new benefits be set out in the Regulations to support the new benefits. Without these regulatory amendments, the new benefits cannot be implemented. The Government of Canada intends to publish the final Regulations as soon as possible after the statutory changes receive royal assent.
This notice of intent is meant to seek input on the proposed regulatory amendments.
In 2006, VAC introduced the Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act (CFMVRC Act) and the supporting Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Regulations (CFMVRC Regulations) to respond to the evolving and changing needs of CAF members, veterans, and their families as they transition to post-service life. The benefit design was based on the principles of well-being, independence and modernized compensation. In keeping with the principles of modern disability management, the suite of benefits introduced a dual award approach (distinct economic and non-economic compensation). Since 2006, numerous improvements to the suite of benefits have been made in response to recommendations by veterans, parliamentary committees, veterans’ organizations, the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman, as well as due to VAC’s own research and evaluations. On April 1, 2018, the CFMVRC Act and CFMVRC Regulations were renamed the Veterans Well-being Act (the Act) and the Veterans Well-being Regulations.
The current suite of economic benefits includes earnings loss benefit (ELB), Canadian Forces income support benefit (CFIS), supplementary retirement benefit (SRB), retirement income security benefit (RISB), career impact allowance (CIA) and CIA supplement (CIAS). These benefits compensate eligible veterans (and, in certain cases, survivors and orphans) for the economic losses related to career-ending and service-related health issues.
The current suite of non-economic benefits includes disability award (DA), death benefit, critical injury benefit, detention benefit and clothing allowance. These benefits recognize and compensate eligible CAF members and veterans (and, in certain cases, surviving spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children) for the non-economic impacts of a service-related injury, detention, disability or death (e.g. pain and suffering, physical and/or psychological loss, functional impairment, and the impact on quality of life).
These benefits have resulted in increased compensation for some CAF members, veterans and their families; however, the combined package has fallen short of expectations. There are two main shortcomings with the current suite of benefits: (1) the additions and adjustments to the original suite of benefits since 2006 have rendered it complex and difficult to understand, and have created some unintended consequences — such as undercompensating some and overcompensating others; and (2) veterans have clearly articulated that they want choice and flexibility in how they receive their disability benefits, particularly when it comes to the lump sum disability award.
As a result, on December 20, 2017, Minister O’Regan announced the pension for life (PFL) benefit package. The PFL package is a combination of benefits that will provide recognition, income support, and better overall support and stability for disabled CAF members, veterans, and their families as they transition to post-service life. On April 1, 2019, the PFL will come into force, updating the economic and non-economic benefits. The result will be a more comprehensive package to assist CAF members, veterans and their families’ transition to post-service life.
Pain and Suffering Compensation (PSC) — This non-taxable benefit will replace the lump sum DA with a lifetime monthly payment to recognize the pain and suffering CAF members and veterans experience from service-related disabilities, including impacts on the member and veteran’s overall quality of life and family (surviving spouse, common-law partner and dependent children). The PSC will retain some of the same design components as the DA (e.g. eligibility, assessment of extent of disability, application requirements); however, it will introduce a monthly payment model where eligible recipients receive monthly compensation in an amount up to $1,150 for 100% disability (the actual amount received depends on the extent of the disability), indexed annually according to the Consumer Price Index. The veteran will receive this monthly payment for life.
Recipients can opt to cash out the monthly amount at any time for a lump sum (maximum of $365,400 in 2018) and receive the residual amount, if any (the difference between the number of monthly payments already received and the applicable lump sum DA amount).
If a veteran receiving monthly PSC payments dies, the residual amount, if any, will be paid as a lump sum to the survivor and/or dependent children. As with the DA, survivors and dependent children will be able to apply for the lump sum PSC for a disability for which the member or veteran could have applied before their death.
The new PSC payment model will incentivize eligible CAF members and veterans to receive the monthly payment for life, instead of opting to cash it out as a lump sum amount, as the amount received over the recipient’s lifetime could exceed the current maximum DA amounts. While the PSC is designed to provide ongoing recognition, the monthly payment will also contribute to financial security and recognizes that veterans want choice in how to receive benefits.
In order to benefit from the introduction of the PSC, CAF members and veterans who received a DA from April 1, 2006, to March 31, 2019, may be eligible to receive an additional monthly amount. This amount will be automatically calculated and will take into consideration the amount of the DA previously paid to the member or veteran and the amount of PSC they would have received if the monthly option had been available all along. The difference will be divided up over the course of the veteran’s life as monthly payments.
Additional Pain and Suffering Compensation (APSC) — This non-taxable benefit will recognize CAF veterans who are experiencing barriers to re-establishment in post-service life due to a service-related permanent and severe impairment. The permanent and severe impairment must be created by one or more disabilities for which the veteran has received a DA, a PSC or a disability pension under the Pension Act.
Compensation is payable at three grade levels (Grade 1: $1,500/month; Grade 2: $1,000/month; Grade 3: $500/month), with the grade level determined by the extent of the veteran’s impairment. These amounts will be indexed annually according to the Consumer Price Index. The new benefit will be payable to veterans for life, as long as the eligibility criteria continue to be met.
Veterans in receipt of CIA for service-related permanent and severe impairments on March 31, 2019, will automatically receive the APSC; their grade level will be protected and they will be paid the corresponding APSC amount.
Income Replacement Benefit (IRB) — This taxable benefit will replace the ELB, extended ELB, CIA, CIAS, SRB and RISB with one, simpler economic benefit. Veterans under age 65 who have a health problem resulting primarily from service that is causing a barrier to re-establishment in post-service life will be required to participate in the VAC Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program in order to receive IRB. The objective is for the veteran to complete rehabilitation and return to work. In circumstances where the service-related injury prevents them from doing so, they can receive IRB for life.
IRB payment amounts will be based on the greater of 90% of the veteran’s monthly military salary, indexed forward to the current year, or 90% of a minimum amount comparable to the threshold for the middle-class tax bracket (minimum threshold is $54,000 × 90% = $48,600). These amounts will be indexed annually according to the Consumer Price Index. The benefit will then be offset by any income sources as prescribed (outlined) in the Regulations, such as amounts payable under the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act.
To encourage veterans to participate in the workforce and thereby improve their well-being, veterans earn up to $20,000 annually from employment before any reduction or offset is made to their IRB payment.
Veterans in the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program who, before reaching age 65, have been determined to have a diminished earning capacity (based on an assessment) will be eligible for IRB for life. Veterans with a diminished earning capacity will also have their military salary adjusted by 1% every year until they reach what would have been 20 years of service or age 60, whichever is earlier. This career progression factor will benefit those individuals who have health problems resulting primarily from service and, as a result, must leave the military early in their career, thereby losing career advancement opportunities in the military. After the veteran reaches the age of 65, the IRB will be reduced to 70% of the pre-age 65 amount, less any offsets.
Survivors and orphans of CAF members or veterans will be provided with 70% of the IRB to which the veteran would have been entitled for life after age 65 unless the veteran dies of a non-service-related death before age 65, in which case the survivors and orphans would receive a lump sum payment equal to 24 times the amount the veteran received in the month he died (with no offsets).
Veterans, survivors and orphans who are receiving ELB, RISB, and/or the CIAS on March 31, 2019, will have these amounts protected and indexed annually, until equal to or less than the IRB amount payable. Those entitled to continued ELB on March 31, 2019, will receive a lump sum payment equal to the SRB amount they will be entitled to on that date. Those who had been entitled to receive continued ELB but were no longer entitled to that benefit and had not received the SRB to which they are entitled will also receive a lump sum payment.
Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance — As part of these changes, rehabilitation services and vocational assistance eligibility is limited to those who have service-related rehabilitation needs. This change will be phased in over time. As of April 1, 2019, new applicants whose reason for medical release was not for health problems resulting primarily from service will be limited to medical and psychosocial rehabilitation supports. These veterans already have vocational rehabilitation services and income support eligibility through the CAF’s Long-term Disability Program (CAF LTD). As of April 1, 2024, rehabilitation services and vocational assistance applicants will need to have a service-related rehabilitation need to be eligible. Those with a rehabilitation plan already in place will be permitted to complete it.
This change will clarify that VAC provides income replacement benefits and rehabilitation services to veterans with health problems resulting primarily from service.
The PFL benefit package is intended to address concerns voiced by the military and veteran communities, to give them lifetime financial security, more choice, and streamlined and simplified compensation. By focusing on veterans’ long-term well-being, this package of benefits, along with enhancements made in budgets 2016 and 2017, offers veterans and their families the support they need to successfully make the transition from military to post-military life.
To implement these changes, an additional investment of close to $3.6 billion is required. When combined with well-being programs already announced in previous budgets, the Government of Canada’s investments since 2016 total nearly $10 billion.
Regulatory amendments — Objectives
The proposed regulatory amendments would support the objectives of the pension for life package to
streamline and simplify VAC’s financial benefit programs and administration;
increase financial security for surviving spouses and dependent children; and
clarify that VAC provides income replacement and rehabilitation to veterans with health problems resulting from service.
Regulatory amendments — Description
The proposed amendments to the Veterans Well-being Regulations (the Regulations) are structured into the following sections: 1) Pain and Suffering Compensation; 2) Additional Pain and Suffering Compensation; 3) Income Replacement Benefit; and 4) Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance.
Pain and Suffering Compensation (PSC) — The Regulations would be amended to ensure consistency with changes to the Act. Sections in the Regulations related to the DA would be replaced by new provisions entitled “Pain and Suffering Compensation,” to be consistent with the new sections of the same name being added to Part 3 of the Act.
While reference to the DA would need to be removed in some of the regulatory provisions, other provisions (e.g. those that speak to the election for annual DA payments) would continue to apply to a person who received a DA before the coming-into-force date of the PSC.
As the PSC has some of the same program components as the DA (e.g. eligibility, service relationship, assessment of extent of disability, financial advice, and application requirements), numerous existing regulatory provisions would be amended to reference the PSC instead of the DA. In addition, the PSC would be added to the existing financial advice provision.
The main difference between the PSC and the DA is that the new benefit will introduce a monthly payment for life model with the option to cash it out as a lump sum amount. Therefore, a regulatory provision would be needed to set out the requirement for a CAF member or veteran to elect in writing to receive their monthly PSC as a lump sum amount.
To reflect cost-of-living increases, the amount of the PSC would be adjusted annually — each January 1st, according to the Consumer Price Index, consistent with how the DA is currently indexed.
The current Regulations state that the DA must be reduced when compensation from other sources is paid in respect of the same disability. This provision would also apply to the PSC. The Regulations would set out the method for determining the reduction required for other sources of compensation paid in respect of the same disability. In situations where the two types of compensation do not mirror each other (e.g. the other source is a lump sum amount and the PSC is a monthly amount), the Regulations would provide for this calculation to be done in accordance with generally accepted actuarial principles. In addition, where a recalculation of a reduction is required (such as when a veteran dies), it would also be done in accordance with generally accepted actuarial principles.
CAF members or veterans who have received a DA since 2006 may also benefit from the PSC. The formula to determine the additional monthly amount will be set out in the Act, with one aspect of the formula, described as “D,” to be determined in accordance with the Regulations. This aspect is a number unique to each CAF member and veteran called a life annuity factor and would be determined based on an actuarial calculation that takes into consideration certain assumptions, such as interest rates, inflation rates, and mortality rates.
Consistent with other benefits, the Regulations would set out the circumstances where the payment of the PSC could be suspended or cancelled. Should a member or veteran fail to provide the necessary information or documents required to assess continued PSC eligibility, the PSC payment could be suspended. Where the member or veteran does not comply with the reason(s) for the suspension within six months, or where the member or veteran’s eligibility or the determination of the amount to be paid was based on misrepresentation or concealment of a material fact, the PSC could be cancelled.
The Regulations would also be amended to include the requirement to provide written notification to the CAF member or veteran about the reason(s) for the PSC being suspended or cancelled, the effective date of the suspension or cancellation, and the member or veteran’s right to have the cancellation decision reviewed (under section 84 or 85 of the Act), consistent with review rights for other benefits under Part 3 of the Act.
The current Regulations state that the death benefit must be reduced when compensation from other sources is also paid in respect of the death. These Regulations would be amended to allow the reduction to be calculated in a manner similar for the PSC. In situations where the types of compensation do not mirror one another (e.g. one is a lump sum amount and the other is a monthly amount), the calculation would be done in accordance with generally accepted actuarial principles.
Consequential amendments would also need to be made to the Veterans Health Care Regulations and the Veterans Burial Regulations to add CAF member or veteran recipients of “pain and suffering compensation” to the list of those eligible to receive benefits under these regulations.
Additional Pain and Suffering Compensation (APSC) — The Regulations would be amended by adding a new section entitled “Additional Pain and Suffering Compensation” to the Regulations, to be consistent with the new section of the same name being added to Part 3 of the Act.
APSC application requirements (to help determine eligibility and the amount to be paid) would be set out in the Regulations. Applications would include medical reports or records that document the veteran’s disability that is creating the permanent and severe impairment and the barrier to re-establishment in civilian life, consistent with APSC eligibility requirements being set out in the Act. To be consistent with application requirements for other benefits in the Regulations, applications would include a declaration attesting to the truth of the information provided, as well as any other information that may be necessary to determine eligibility or the amount to be paid.
For the purposes of the APSC, what constitutes a “permanent and severe impairment” would be set out in the Regulations and would include the following:
The Regulations would also set out considerations for assessing the extent of the permanent and severe impairment, such as the need for care, supervision and assistance, as well as the degree and frequency of the symptoms or the impairment itself.
The current definition of “barrier to re-establishment in civilian life” in the Regulations would be amended to reference the veteran’s disability, so that it would apply to the APSC, in addition to the IRB and Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance. As a result, a barrier to re-establishment in civilian life would be the presence of a disability or a temporary or permanent physical or mental health problem that limits or prevents an individual’s reasonable performance of their roles in the workplace, home or community in a civilian context.
To reflect cost-of-living increases, the amount of the APSC would be adjusted annually — each January 1st, according to the Consumer Price Index, consistent with how the DA is currently indexed.
Consistent with other benefits, the Regulations would set out the circumstances where the payment of the APSC could be suspended or cancelled. Should a veteran fail to provide the necessary information or documents, or fail to undergo a medical examination or assessment required to determine continued eligibility or the extent of the impairment, the payment could be suspended. Where the veteran does not comply with the reason(s) for the suspension within six months, or the eligibility/determination of the amount payable was based on misrepresentation or concealment of a material fact, the APSC payment could be cancelled.
The Regulations would also be amended to include a requirement to provide written notification to the veteran about the reason(s) for the APSC payment being suspended or cancelled, the effective date of the suspension or cancellation, and the veteran’s right to have the cancellation decision reviewed (under section 84 or 85 of the Act), consistent with review rights for other benefits under Part 3 of the Act.
Income Replacement Benefit (IRB) — The Regulations would be amended to ensure consistency with changes to the Act. Sections in the Regulations related to the ELB, SRB, RISB, CIA and CIAS would be replaced by new provisions entitled “Income Replacement Benefit” to be consistent with the new sections of the same name being added to Part 2 of the Act.
IRB application requirements (to determine eligibility or the amount to be paid) would be set out in the Regulations.
For a veteran, application requirements would include information related to their assessed income (called imputed income in the Regulations) and amounts received from prescribed sources (details of both being further described in this document below); and medical reports and other documentation necessary to establish the existence of a health problem, its relationship to CAF service and the resulting barrier to re-establishment. The latter requirement would also be required information to help determine the date the IRB begins to be paid to a veteran.
For a survivor or orphan, application requirements would include information related to the member’s or veteran’s assessed income and the amounts the survivor would receive from prescribed sources; medical reports and other documentation about the member or veteran’s injury or disease, diagnosis and cause of death; and the death certificate.
For all, IRB application requirements would include a declaration attesting to the truth of the information provided, as well as any other information that may be necessary to determine eligibility or the amount payable.
Veterans who are determined to have a diminished earning capacity would be eligible to receive IRB for life. The manner for determining if a veteran has a diminished earning capacity would be set out in the Regulations and include consulting medical reports regarding the physical or mental health problem, or other records regarding the veteran’s employment. If it is determined that the available information is insufficient, the veteran would be required to undergo a specialized assessment.
The Regulations would set out how the veteran’s assessed income would be calculated, including for survivor and orphan purposes. The Regulations would set out the method of calculating the assessed income using either the monthly military salary or the minimum amount, to be set at $4,500 per month ($54,000 per year) in 2019. The Regulations would also set out that veterans who have been deemed to have a diminished earning capacity would have an additional annual adjustment (a career progression factor) applied that would increase their monthly military salary each year by 1%, until the equivalent of 20 years of service or age 60, whichever comes first. Where applicable, survivors and orphans would also benefit from this provision.
To determine when the career progression factor would be applied, the Regulations would also include how years of military service would be calculated for members and veterans to ensure that each period of service would be included in the calculation, regardless if the service was continuous or not.
The Regulations would set out the prescribed sources (income sources to be considered when calculating the IRB amount payable) referred to in the formulas set out in the Act. The total amount of these prescribed sources are offset (or subtracted) from the total amount of the IRB to be paid.
For a veteran who is under age 65, prescribed sources would include
benefits payable under the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act, the Public Service Superannuation Act or the Employment Insurance Act;
benefits payable under Part I of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Act;
benefits payable under the Canada Pension Plan or the Act respecting the Québec Pension Plan, other than amounts payable for a dependent child;
benefits payable in respect of economic loss under the Government Employees Compensation Act or any provincial workers’ compensation legislation;
amounts payable under an employer pension plan; and
employment earnings exceeding $20,000 that are payable to a veteran.
For a veteran who is 65 years old and over, prescribed sources would be the same as those for a veteran under the age of 65, excluding amounts payable in respect of economic loss arising from legal liability to pay damages. Prescribed sources would also include benefits payable under the Old Age Security Act, and long-term disability benefits payable under the Service Income Security Insurance Plan Long Term Disability. Any of these amounts payable for a dependent child, or in respect of the veteran’s deceased spouse or common-law partner, would not be considered a prescribed source.
For a survivor of a member or veteran who dies before the age of 65, prescribed sources (payable to the survivor in respect of the member or veteran) would include
benefits payable under the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act or the Public Service Superannuation Act;
benefits payable under the Canada Pension Plan or the Act Respecting the Québec Pension Plan;
amounts payable under an employer pension plan;
benefits payable under Part I of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Act; and
benefits payable under the Old Age Security Act.
For a survivor of a member or veteran (starting when the member or veteran would have turned 65 years old), and a survivor of a veteran who dies on or after the age of 65, prescribed sources (payable to the survivor in respect of the member or veteran) would be the same as those for a survivor of a member or veteran who dies before the age of 65, excluding amounts payable in respect of economic loss arising from legal liability to pay damages.
Any of the above amounts payable to a survivor for a dependent child would not be considered a prescribed source.
The Regulations would set out the method to convert any amounts from prescribed sources that are paid other than a monthly amount, into a monthly amount, similar to the method of conversion under the RISB, except for veterans or survivors transitioning from the ELB to the IRB who have an offset already in place using a different conversion calculation. The current rules will continue to apply to the current offset. Should the veteran or survivor start to receive a new payment, not previously divided, that amount would be divided using the new rules.
To reflect cost-of-living increases, the Regulations would include annual adjustments to the IRB (i.e. IRB amount, assessed income, monthly military salary, and minimum amount) — each January 1st, according to the Consumer Price Index, consistent with how the DA is currently indexed.
To assess continued IRB eligibility, or determine the IRB payable amount, the Regulations would set out the required information that a veteran under the age of 65, or a survivor or orphan of a veteran or member who died before the age of 65, would provide to VAC as follows:
notification of any employment earnings or changes to employment earnings (veterans only);
notification of any changes to the benefits or the amounts payable from prescribed sources;
annual statements of the benefits or the amounts payable from prescribed sources; and
any other information or documents necessary to assess continued eligibility or the amount of the IRB to be paid.
The Regulations would also set out the information required to assess continued eligibility for IRB or determine the amount of IRB to be paid for veterans 65 years old and over and survivors/orphans of veterans who died on or after the age of 65 (or when the member or veteran would have turned 65 years old) as follows:
notification of any employment earnings and changes to employment earnings (veterans only);
Consistent with other benefits, the Regulations would set out the circumstances where the IRB payment could be suspended or cancelled. Should a person not provide the required information to assess continued eligibility or the IRB amount, or should a veteran who is required to participate in a rehabilitation plan to receive IRB not participate to the extent required to meet their rehabilitation goals, VAC could suspend the IRB payment. Where the person does not comply with the reason(s) for the suspension within six months, or the eligibility/IRB payment amount was based on misrepresentation or concealment of a material fact, VAC could cancel the payment of the benefit.
The Regulations would also be amended to include a requirement to provide written notification to the person about the reason(s) for the IRB payment being suspended or cancelled, the effective date of the suspension or cancellation, and the veteran’s right to have the cancellation decision reviewed (under section 83 of the Act), as with review rights for other benefits under Part 2 of the Act.
Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance — Amendments to the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance section of the Regulations are required to support changes being made to the Act.
Rehabilitation services and vocational assistance application requirements for veterans would be amended to be consistent with IRB application requirements for veterans.
On April 1, 2019, veterans released from the CAF on medical grounds due to health problems not resulting primarily from service will only be eligible to receive access to medical and psychosocial services under rehabilitation services and vocational assistance. Therefore, the Regulations would be amended to remove the requirement for impacted individuals to provide information concerning their employment history, education, skills, training, and experience.
On April 1, 2024, access to medical and psychosocial rehabilitation services will close for those CAF veterans released on medical grounds due to a health problem not resulting primarily from service. Therefore, section 7 of the Regulations, which supports subsection 9(3) of the Act, would need to be repealed on that date, given section 9 of the Act is to be repealed on the same day.
Unless otherwise stated, all of these proposed regulatory amendments would come into force on April 1, 2019.