Letter to MND: Part-Time Soldiers with Full-Time Injuries: A Systemic Review of Canada’s Primary Reserve Force and Operational Stress Injuries Report
2 May 2016
The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, PC, OMM, MSM, CD, MP
Minister of National Defence
National Defence Headquarters
Major-General George R. Pearkes Building
101 Colonel By Drive,
13th Floor, North Tower
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K2
Dear Minister Sajjan:
I am pleased to submit to you our report entitled Part-Time Soldiers with Full-Time Injuries: A Systemic Review of Canada’s Primary Reserve Force and Operational Stress Injuries. This report is submitted to you pursuant to paragraph 38(1)(b) of the Ministerial Directives respecting the Ombudsman for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces.
Over the last 14 years, the Office has been tracking the issue of operational stress injuries and the adequacy of the health care provided to members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Although the Office has released five reports on the subject of operational stress injuries, none have focused solely on Reservists. This report looked exclusively at Primary Reservists with respect to:
- Identifying and clarifying entitlements to medical care;
- Measuring levels of knowledge and awareness of those entitlements;
- Examining impediments to seeking care; and
- Examining the roles and responsibilities of leadership in supporting their members.
As is standard practice, we will be publishing the report no sooner than 28 days from the date of this letter. As in the past, we will advise your Office of the exact date that we intend to publish.
I look forward to your response to our recommendations.
Sincerely,
Gary Walbourne
Ombudsman