Nishika Jardine, a retired colonel who spent 37 years in the military, was quietly named to the post of Veterans Ombudsman Wednesday by the Liberal government. Veterans Minister Lawrence MacAulay made the announcement in a written statement following the conclusion of Remembrance Day commemoration events. He said the "core responsibility of the Veterans Ombudsperson is to review complaints and issues related to programs and services delivered by Veterans Affairs Canada and to uphold the Veterans Bill of Rights." Very pleased to announce the new Veterans Ombudsperson, Colonel (Ret’d) Nishika Jardine, a nearly 37 year Veteran of the @CanadianForces.

Details: https://t.co/xa70tYoJ9U pic.twitter.com/JRO2X2iNFl —@L_MacAulayThe veterans department, despite a massive infusion of cash, is facing an enormous backlog of disability claims, which it has struggled to tame. Her predecessor, in an interview with CBC News in the summer of 2019, said he believed the mandate of the veterans ombudsman should be reviewed.

Source: CBC News November 11, 2020 21:46 UTC