Ombudsman’s Special Recognition Award

Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman, Yves Côté, is now accepting nominations for the new Special Recognition Award. Anyone in the Defence community can submit a nomination directly to the Office. The nomination period closes on December 31, 2006. More information about the award criteria and nomination process is available in the fact sheet.

You may also wish to read the article that appeared in The Maple Leaf.

Ombudsman Finds that the Health Concerns of Canadian Forces Veterans were Ignored

Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman, Yves Côté, today released a special report, entitled Heroism Exposed: An Investigation into the Treatment of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment Kuwait Veterans (1991), regarding the treatment received by Canadian Forces members exposed to toxic environmental substances more than a decade and a half ago.

Ombudsman issues news release welcoming government response to the report.

You can read the report online.

For more information, view the news release and the backgrounder.

Ombudsman Welcomes Justice for the Widow of Master Corporal Rick Wheeler

Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman, Yves Côté, welcomed the recent compensation for Mrs. Christina Wheeler and her family for the tragic death of her husband, Master Corporal Rick Wheeler.

You can read the report online.

For more information, view the news release.

Ombudsman Welcomes Justice for a Second World War Veteran

Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman, Yves Côté, today welcomed the implementation of his recommendation to compensate Squadron Leader (Retired) Clifton Wenzel for the pension that he was unjustly denied.
The News Release is available here.

We Need Your Input on the New Reserve Investigation

The Office of the Ombudsman for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces launched its first systemic investigation into the Reserves. This investigation will examine the treatment of Reservists or former Reservists who sought medical support from the Canadian Forces in the last three years.
Click here for more information.

Ombudsman Calls on the Canadian Forces to Address Problems in Recruiting System or Risk Losing Skilled Canadians

Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman, Mr.Yves Côté, today released a special report on the military recruiting system, entitled The Canadian Face Behind the Recruiting Targets: A Review of the Canadian Forces Recruiting System - From Attraction to Enrolment.The Report is available here.

For more information, view the the press release and the backgrounder.

Ombudsman Rewards Excellence in Defence

Yves Côté, Ombudsman for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces, today presented commendations for Ethics and Complaint Resolution to six members of the Canadian Forces and employees of the Department of National Defence and Veterans Affairs Canada at a special ceremony on Parliament Hill.
The News Release is available here.

Ombudsman Launches New Investigation into the Treatment of Injured Reservists In Releasing his 2005-2006 Annual Report

The Ombudsman’s 2005-2006 Annual Report highlights the work that the office has done over the past fiscal year and details the special investigations that will be completed in the year ahead. The Annual Report which was tabled in the House of Commons on June 5th and subsequently released to the public on the 6th, is available here (as well as the press release and the backgrounder).

In releasing his Annual Report, the Ombudsman also launched a new investigation into the treatment of injured reservists by the Canadian Forces. For more information on this new investigation, view the backgrounder.

Letter to Chief of Military Personnel

I am writing to express my sincere disappointment at the recent response of the Canadian Forces to Mrs. Christina Wheeler’s claim for compensation for the tragic death of her husband, Master Corporal Rick Wheeler, and for the unacceptable way in which the Canadian Forces handled this terribly unfortunate matter.

Resolved – Access to Information

During its snipers investigation, the Office of the Ombudsman received heavily censored documents from the Department of National Defence in response to its requests for information. Ombudsman Yves Côté voiced concerns that the information suppressed might be relevant to the investigation. In order to ensure fair and equitable treatment for the men women of the Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces, the Office requires unobstructed access to relevant documentation. Mr. Côté raised the matter with the previous Defence Minister, who then issued a Ministerial Directive providing the Office access to required information, and outlining the procedures that will facilitate access in the future.

Translation of Military Manuals

In response to a media report on February 11, 2006, claiming that military manuals for the new Mobile Gun System were not going to be translated, the Ombudsman committed to seeking confirmation and clarification from the Chief of the Defence Staff. To view the letter that Mr. Yves Côté sent to the Chief of the Defence Staff, click here. To view the response from the Chief of the Defence Staff, click here.

For the Sake of Fairness: The Case of Squadron Leader (Retired) Clifton Wenzel Now Available!

In May 2005, at the request of Defence Minister Bill Graham, the Ombudsman began an investigation into the case of Clifton Wenzel. Mr. Wenzel, now 83, is a decorated WWII veteran who served with the RCAF. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Force Cross and the Canadian Decoration. With over 20 years of military service behind him, he has been fighting for over 44 years to obtain the pension he feels he was wrongfully denied.

The Ombudsman’s report identifies serious weaknesses in process leading up to the 1961 decision not to grant Mr. Wenzel a pension and makes several recommendations intended to rectify the injustice done to him. The report, For the Sake of Fairness, which was released at the National Press Theatre on November 8, 2005, and the press release, are available here.

Update on SISIP Recommendations

In this letter, Ombudsman Yves Côté writes to the Honourable Bill Graham, Minister of National Defence, regarding recommendations from the 2003 special report Unfair Deductions from SISIP Payments to Former CF Members. While three of the report’s recommendations have been implemented, two remain outstanding. To view the entire letter, click here.

Online Complaints Form

Communicate directly with our office, anytime, from anywhere with our online complaints form . It’s fast, simple, and secure.