Veteran Affairs spending has increased considerably since 2006, with an additional $4.7 billion invested in programs and services. The annual budget has risen from $3.2 billion in 2007-2008 to $3.5 billion in 2013, an average increase of around 2% per year. However, information on spending prior to the Conservatives is limited, and evidence suggests the Liberal government recognized issues with Veterans Affairs funding as early as 2001 but provided no details on increases.

1. Veteran Affairs
By: Paul Young, CPA, CGA

2. Veteran Affairs Spending from 2013-2014 and
2012 and 2013

3. Veteran Affairs Expense Analysis 2012-2014

4. Veteran Affairs Spending for 2014-2015

5. Budget from 2014-2017

6. Commentary
• There have been extensive and considerable improvements in services, programs and benefits for most veterans. There has also been a budget increase and an additional $4.7
Billion invested in such things by the current government since 2006. The government has also legislated on priority hiring for veterans in the federal civil service -- something
the lefties won't talk about because the unions don't like it. Is there more work to do? Sure. But it won't be achieved through vilification and hyperbole. I personally find that
these infographics are helpful ways to provide context when folks resort to that sort of thing.
• http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/news/vac-responds/info-graphics/before-after-nvc
• http://globalnews.ca/news/1687415/additional-200m-announced-for-military-mental-health-programs-over-6-years/?hootPostID=6f2d83f608f12062709f617ae1ba4b98
• http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/reports/departmental-financial-statements/2013-14#s20
• http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/1251141-leger-veterans%E2%80%99-anti-tory-operation-could-backfire
• http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2014/12/09/harper-partially-disowns-veterans-charter-as-opposition-demands-fantino-resign/#.VIewsjHF_Mq
• http://www.veterans.gc.ca/pdf/deptReports/rpp/2014-2015/vac-acc-web-pdf-eng.pdf
•
• In 1997-1998 the federal government spent 1.9B on veterans affairs (https://www.fin.gc.ca/budget95/fact/facts.pdf and actually cut $232M from the 1994-1995 budget. The
Conservatives are now spending $3.5B on veteran’s affairs (http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/reports/departmental-financial-statements/2013-14#s30).
•
• So, I went the veterans affairs site and review the statement of operations as such I was able to see funding from 2007-2008 started at $3.2B and now is at $3.5B in 2013. On
average the federal government increase expenses by about 2% per year over that time frame.
•
• It hard to go back to LPC era as information is fragmented as such difficult to fine. However, the evidence that I have found was the Federal Government recognized a problem in
2001 as such was looking at the funding for Veterans Affairs (http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/reports/five-year-plans/2001-2006/2004-update). There was no details
on any funding increases within the document.
•
• I welcome links that support the LPC actually improve benefits and/or lives of veterans!

7. Liberal Party of Canada Stance
• http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/1251141-leger-
veterans%E2%80%99-anti-tory-operation-could-backfire

8. Paul Martin 1995 Budget