OTTAWA — The union representing Veterans Affairs workers in Canada calls the deal to privatize rehabilitation services a failure, six months after it was implemented.
OTTAWA — The union representing Veterans Affairs workers in Canada calls the deal to privatize rehabilitation services a failure, six months after it was implemented.
A contract with Lifemark Health Group and WCG International Consultants was supposed to take the pressure off case managers and help veterans access services.
The two organizations formed Partners in Canadian Veterans Rehabilitation Services and were awarded a $57 million contract in July 2021 to provide rehabilitation and vocational assistance services. The file transition began in October 2022.
The Veterans Affairs Employees Union says that instead of streamlined services, case managers are dealing with more paperwork and frustrated clients.
The union issued a new “report card” Monday, saying only the least complex files have been transferred and delays in getting started have led to delays for veterans.
“We’ve been raising concerns about this rehabilitation contract since before it was actually implemented … and no one is listening,” union president Virginia Vaillancourt said.
The union points a finger at a lack of training in Veterans Affairs Canada guidelines, as well as a lack of understanding of what clients need.
Vaillancourt said that before the contract went into effect, rehabilitation services were performed by Veterans Affairs case managers and the services were covered through Medavie Blue Cross. She said referrals to service providers must now go through Lifemark.
“And Lifemark is actually paying less than Blue Cross was paying them,” he said, adding that some service providers have stopped working with veterans as a result.
A Lifemark spokeswoman directed questions to Veterans Affairs.
The department did not immediately respond to questions.
Canada’s Veterans Affairs program is intended to help veterans and their families “transition to life after service,” according to its website, by coordinating medical, psychosocial and vocational services for former service members. sick and injured.
Lifemark, which was bought by Loblaw Companies Ltd. in May 2022, says it has more than 300 locations across the country. Its Veterans Affairs contract partner, WCG International, has been working with the department to provide vocational assistance and rehabilitation services to veterans for more than a decade.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 5, 2023.
Sarah Ritchie, The Canadian Press
