News Release

Defence and Veterans Affairs Ministers Announce Payments for Chemical-Test Veterans

OTTAWA - The Honourable David Pratt, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable John McCallum, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today announced a $50-million recognition program for Canadian veterans involved in chemical-warfare agent experiments between the 1940s and the 1970s.

The new program will offer payments to Canadian veterans who volunteered as participants in chemical-warfare experiments, beginning in the Second World War era, in Suffield, Alberta, and Ottawa. Eligible veterans will be offered a one-time payment of $24,000 in recognition of their service, an amount comparable to previous payments to Canadian veterans. This is in addition to the pension benefits to which these veterans may be entitled.

Where the veteran is deceased, certain beneficiaries will also be eligible for payment. The program will also ensure that veterans' pension applications in this matter will be expedited. "We're finally setting things right for the chemical test veterans," said Minister Pratt in making the announcement today, acknowledging the veterans' long struggle for recognition. "Today, we show our appreciation for these extraordinary veterans, who served so that their comrades in arms might be spared the horrors of chemical warfare."

"Today, we are recognizing these veterans for their sacrifice and their service to Canada. They served our nation without the recognition extended to those who served elsewhere and without appreciation of the risks they faced," said Minister McCallum. "We will respond quickly and compassionately in providing them with the services and benefits that they may be eligible to receive."

A program office has been established to expedite payments for the chemical warfare test volunteers, and to refer those veterans who believe they may be suffering from a service-related disability to Veterans Affairs Canada. The office will be fully functional by April 5 this year, and will remain open for two years.

In the meantime, veterans involved in chemical warfare agent experiments in Suffield, Alberta (1941 to the mid-1970s, but mainly in the Second World War era) or Chemical Warfare Laboratories, Ottawa (1941-45) may begin their application by calling 1-800-883-6094 Monday to Friday 8 am to 4 pm EST). There will be a public awareness campaign with the aim of encouraging eligible veterans to come forward and apply for payment. The application process will be straightforward, veteran-centred, and will include a provision for appeals.

In the past, chemical warfare-experiment participants who were injured-like any Canadian veteran injured in service-were eligible for disability pension benefits through Veterans Affairs Canada. In fact, a number of these veterans are already in receipt of a VAC pension. Eligible veterans are encouraged to contact Veterans Affairs Canada toll-free at 1-866-522-2122 (English) or 1-866-522-2022 (French).

For more information about the Chemical Warfare Agent Testing Recognition Program, see the backgrounder at www.forces.gc.ca. For information about disability pension benefits for veterans, see the Veterans Affairs Canada backgrounder in the Press Room.

• Backgrounder - When Service Affects Health
• DND Backgrounder - Chemical Warfare Agent Testing Recognition Program

All Other Enquiries:
information@vac-acc.gc.ca