VANCOUVER — A missed procedural deadline has set off a domino effect in a long-running court case about compensation for severely disabled veterans.
Last June, a lawsuit launched by six severely disabled veterans over changes to made to their compensation 10 years ago was put on hold when they agreed to wait and see if new legislation and a federal election would improve the situation.
The veterans had argued that modern-day soldiers are discriminated against compared to those who fought in earlier wars and deserve special recognition similar to what aboriginal people receive.
Daniel Scott, the father of one of the veterans, said in an affidavit filed in court this week that the group has spoken with the government several times and been promised change, but has not received any concrete information on details or timelines.
The deadline for a settlement in the case passed last month, and lawyers for the new Liberal government filed documents in the B.C. Court of Appeal this week saying the court should now decide the case based on arguments made in December 2014.
Lawyers for the previous Conservative government argued in those hearings that the federal government has no extraordinary obligation to people who have fought for Canada, prompting outrage from veterans and condemnation from the Liberals in the Commons.
The documents filed this week by the government say the 2014 arguments "accurately reflect the current position of the federal government."
Lawyers for the veterans have filed their own court documents, saying the government's position is "to say the least, objectionable," and arguing that the court needs more information before a decision can be made.
They say arguments made in the 2014 hearings contradict statements made by Liberals in Parliament and on the campaign trail, and the government's current position needs to be clarified.
A judge is expected to hear arguments on what happens next in a case management conference Friday.
