Institutional links

Command Centre

• Navy
• Army
• Air Force
• Military Personnel
• Canada Command
• CANSOFCOM
• CANOSCOM
• CEFCOM

Menu

• About DND/CF
• Commander-in-Chief
• The Minister
• Policy
• News Room
  • Statements
  • Media Advisories
  • News Releases
  • Backgrounders
  • Transcripts
  • Speeches
  • Minister's Speeches
  • Minister's Speeches Archive
  • Key Documents
  • Military News
  • Archives
• Operations
• The Maple Leaf
• Image Gallery
• Write to the Troops
• History and Heritage
• Human Resources
• DND/CF Site Map
• Proactive Disclosure

News Release

Military Widow Receives Compensation

NR-06.084 - November 27, 2006

OTTAWA - The Honourable Gordon O’Connor, Minister of National Defence, today announced an ex-gratia payment to Christina Wheeler, the widow of Master Corporal Rick Wheeler, for personal suffering that ensued in relation to the investigation into her husband’s accidental death.

“I am pleased to announce that we have reached an acceptable agreement, which is long overdue,” said Minister O'Connor. “Mrs. Wheeler and her daughters have received the compensation and respect they deserve.  Ensuring the Wheeler family is treated fairly and with dignity has been a personal commitment of mine for some time.”

Master Corporal Rick Wheeler was accidentally killed on April 7th, 1992 at Canadian Forces Base Suffield, Alberta.

The Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman had recommended that the family be compensated for the stress, anxiety and frustration they have suffered in relation to her husband’s death. Most of the recommendations made by the Ombudsman in his report on the accidental death of Master Corporal Wheeler have been implemented. 

The terms of the agreement remain confidential.

-30-

RSS DND/CF News (What is RSS?)