Veterans Affairs Canada should be ashamed of itself for making ex-military members wait years to review disability benefit requests, according to Blacklock’s Reporter. .“It just seems to go on and on and on, the reports that are coming out just absolutely condemning the service standards that we’re seeing at the Department of Veterans Affairs,” Conservative MP Blake Richards told the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee. .“Do you not have some shame and some embarrassment as to the performance of this department?”.Auditors said two-year waits are commonplace, with some claims spending one decade under review..Veterans Affairs deputy minister Paul Ledwell said while he does not have shame, he's experiencing a challenge. .“I share the absolute underlining that we are here to provide care and respect to our veterans, one by one, not just in large numbers, but one by one to each veteran who comes forward to us,” said Ledwell. .Auditor General Karen Hogan did a report in May saying veterans wait 11 months on average for an initial decision on their application. The report said official claims of a four-month service standard were deceptive. .“The department did not always calculate wait times consistently which meant veterans waited longer than the department reported publicly,” said Hogan. .“Overall the impact of these shortcomings means more work is needed to reduce wait times.".Hogan said veterans are “waiting too long to receive benefits.”.This mismanagement comes after auditors at Veterans Affairs said in August they were questioning millions of dollars spent on an old navy cemetery. .READ MORE: Veterans Affairs wastes $4 million on navy cemetery.The ministry billed taxpayers $4 million for graveyard upgrades, such as unused plots and trails. .“Up to date operational plans do not exist,” said a report.
