Veterans Affairs sent tax slips to hundreds of deceased veterans — some of them war casualties
CBC
Veterans Affairs Canada mistakenly issued T4A tax slips late last winter in the names of hundreds of deceased veterans across the country, CBC News has learned.
The income benefits notices landed in the hands of nearly 700 appalled survivors and relatives. Some of them lost loved ones in Afghanistan more than a decade ago.
"My first thought was shock and surprise to see a letter addressed to Matthew from Veterans Affairs that arrived in an official Veterans Affairs envelope," said Lincoln Dinning of Wingham, Ont., whose son Cpl. Matthew Dinning died in a roadside bombing in April 2006.
"And from the very organization that is supposed to look after veterans and their families. You would think that Veterans Affairs would know that Matthew was killed in Afghanistan and has been dead for 16 years."
The envelope arrived at the Dinning home in late February. His parents initially thought Matthew's identity had somehow been stolen and his benefits had been collected by a criminal.
That was not the case. Although Veterans Affairs — citing privacy concerns — refused to comment on Matthew Dinning's case, it acknowledged after several email exchanges with CBC News that the tax slip was issued due to a computer error and was part of a much wider problem.
The online portal where former members of the military access their accounts was upgraded in January. That's when a "defect" was introduced, department spokesman Josh Bueckert said in a written media statement.
That defect led the department to issue 687 tax slips in the names of 417 deceased veterans. They include soldiers killed in Afghanistan and those who served on peacekeeping missions and during the Cold War — and may include soldiers who served as far back as the Korean conflict.
Veterans Affairs refused to explain how the error was made, apart from saying it somehow involved the Income Replacement Benefit.
That doesn't explain cases like that of Matthew Dinning, who was not receiving veterans benefits when he was killed.
A preliminary internal investigation was started by the department at the end of February and both the Federal Treasury Board and the Privacy Commissioner were notified, Bueckert said.
Two formal complaints and one privacy complaint have been filed by the families of deceased veterans, he added.
When asked by CBC News about the incident this week outside the House of Commons, Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay said his officials are still trying to work out what happened. He also apologized.
"Of course we're sorry, and of course, that should not happen," MacAulay said. "I apologize.… We're aware of the situation and the breach is being handled appropriately to make sure it does not happen again."
The government of Saskatchewan has announced plans to reduce the length of non-resident game bird hunting licences to combat illegal guiding.
An 87-year-old Alberta man is fighting extradition to the United Kingdom to stand trial for historical allegations of physical and sexual assault involving minors.
Eight casinos across southwest B.C. have been sold to First Nations in the last two years, with the province's gambling scene set to be reshaped as a result.
Hamilton hosts the Junos Sunday, and the musical awards show is bringing tourists, musicians, concerts and a ton of themed events to the city this week.
The multi-million-dollar deal at the heart of a high-profile fight between the Canadian government and one of the world’s biggest carmakers contains multiple clauses about the company’s footprint in Ontario, according to a copy obtained by CBC Windsor.
In recent months, Calgary police have carried out three day-long safety blitzes, parading out dozens of officers to flood an area with their increased presence — at least, temporarily.
A national organization is seeking people with experience in Canada's forestry sector as they put together a working group that will examine ways to improve forest recovery following wildfires.
Ella Heyder is bracing for a breakup, even though she already moved out decades ago.
Shawne Hopkins never saw it coming.
Politicians return to Queen’s Park Monday for a shortened spring session, as Premier Doug Ford prepares to unveil his eight budget amid heightened global economic uncertainty.
Despite a recent announcement that a water supply pipeline will be build in Oneida Nation of the Thames, some members of the community say that's no excuse for taking water for granted.
As scandal has swirled around former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, questions and curiosity have also focused on his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, and their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
Friday may have been the first day of spring, but winter storms are not over yet for Newfoundland.