Payments represent $40 million a year savings
Auditor General Sheila Fraser will look into the New Veterans Charter and the lump-sum disability payments that mean less money for veterans but savings of up to $40 million dollars a year for the government. Liberal Senator Percy Downe had pressed the office for an audit, saying, “I’m concerned this became a cost-saving exercise rather than a service to veterans.” Fraser says her office will have a report ready by the fall of 2012. The audit comes after the Conservative government has faced mounting criticism that they are shortchanging veterans benefits.