Merchant Navy Veteran Special Benefit

• The Honourable Ronald J. Duhamel, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Francophonie), announced on May 4, 2001 additional funding for a full second payment for qualified Canadian Merchant Navy Veterans and their surviving spouses.
• The announcement of an additional $34.5 million brings the total package for Merchant Mariners to $104.5 million. The Government provided initial funding of $50 million when the package was announced on February 1, 2000 and an additional $20 million in October 2000. These payments build upon the existing comprehensive system of services and benefits available to all of Canada's veterans.
• To ensure that all eligible veterans and surviving spouses received a fair share of the available funds, payments were split into two disbursements. Given that the number of applicants exceeded estimates, the second payment was contingent upon the commitment of additional funds. This second payment will follow the first 60% instalment and concludes the ex gratia Merchant Navy Veteran Special Benefit unless the applicant has an outstanding request for review.
• The Merchant Navy Veteran Special Benefit is intended for qualified Canadian Merchant Mariners who served during the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War, as well as their surviving spouses. This compensation is in lieu of demobilization benefits provided to Armed Forces veterans and the lost opportunities which resulted. Following the war, Merchant Mariners had limited access to postwar demobilization benefits which were provided to the Armed Forces.
• To date, more than 7,000 applicants have qualified for payments, ranging—for the most part— from $5,000 to $20,000 depending on the length of service.
• Veterans Affairs Canada staff will be following up with approximately 10,000 Merchant Navy applicants to inform them of their possible eligibility for other veterans' services and benefits.
• The criteria for the Merchant Navy Veteran Special Benefit, including the requirement for payment of a war risk bonus and the three payment levels, were developed as a result of a consensus among the Canadian Merchant Navy Veterans' Association, Merchant Navy Coalition for Equality, Royal Canadian Legion (RCL), National Council of Veteran Associations (NCVA), and the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada (ANAVETS).
• Veterans Affairs Canada is committed to meeting the needs of Canada's veterans and their families.

Press Release