Disabled Vets pleased with Government of Canada decision to not appeal SISIP ruling
Published:
May 29, 2012
HALIFAX, NS May 29, 2012 – Following a long five-year class action lawsuit between disabled
veterans and the Government of Canada, disabled veterans expressed relief that the Federal
Court of Canada decision in their favour will not be appealed.
“This has been a long five-year class action lawsuit between disabled veterans and the
Government of Canada and its is great to see that they are doing the right thing,” said Canadian
veteran and lead plaintiff Dennis Manuge. “They have listened to Canada’s disabled veterans,
and clearly they wanted to do the right thing.”
The Class Action was initiated in March of 2007 on behalf of Dennis Manuge and all other
disabled veterans whose SISIP Long Term Disability Benefits are reduced by the amount of the
monthly Veterans Affairs Canada Disability Pension we receive under the Pension Act. On May
1st, 2012, the Federal Court of Canada ruled that the Government of Canada acted illegally in
making deductions from veterans’ long term disability benefits.
Earlier today in Ottawa, Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, and the
Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veteran’s Affairs, announced that the Federal
Government of Canada will not appeal the Federal Court Decision.
“The Federal Court of Canada ruling and the acceptance of the ruling by the Government of
Canada, provides hope for Canada’s disabled, ill and disadvantaged veterans who have been
taken advantage of for far too long,” said Manuge. “This has been a very difficult experience for
Canada’s disabled veterans, including me, on a personal, emotional and financial level and it is
a relief to know that we are one step closer to being reimbursed.”
In the near term, Mr. Manuge’s legal counsel, Peter Driscoll and Daniel Wallace with McInnes
Cooper and Ward Branch with Branch MacMaster work with the Federal Government to finalize
details of the class action decision.
“We don’t know the full scope of this announcement yet, but we’re confident it soon will put the
money into the hands of all affected disabled veterans – many of whom have been waiting a
very long time and need this support very much,” said lead counsel Peter Driscoll with McInnes
Cooper. “We look forward to sitting down with federal representatives to implement the
decision.”
About the SISIP Class Action
The Class Action was initiated in March of 2007 on behalf Dennis Manuge and all other disabled
veterans whose SISIP Long Term Disability Benefits are reduced by the amount of the monthly
VAC (Veterans Affairs Canada) Disability Pension they receive under the Pension Act. On May
1st , 2012, the Federal Court of Canada ruled that the Government of Canada acted illegally in
making deductions from veterans’ long term disability benefits. For more information visit
www.leavenovetbehind.ca or mcinneslegacy.sbox-1.vsrv.io.
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Questions?
Contact: Kristine Hunter
Litigation Paralegal
McInnes Cooper
Office: 902-455-8140
Email: [email protected]
Annette Hartlen
Legal Assistant
McInnes Cooper
Office: 902-455-8221
Email: [email protected]
Media
Sandra Goodwin
Director of Client Services
McInnes Cooper
Office: 902-444-8438
Email: [email protected]
Sean Lewis
MT&L Public Relations
Office: 902-425-1860 x.225
Cell: 902-223-2782
Email: [email protected]
