Unions, MPs warn funding cuts could affect services for veterans

By Canadian Press on March 13, 2026.

OTTAWA — Unions and MPs say a bureau at Veterans Affairs Canada which provides free legal advice to veterans who have been denied disability benefits is about to have its workforce cut almost in half.

Toufic El-Daher, national president of the Union of Veterans’ Affairs Employees, told a House of Commons committee this week that the Bureau of Pension Advocates is eliminating almost 100 temporary positions, including 24 lawyers.

The overall cuts amount to reduction of 44 per cent.

Veterans Affairs Canada spokesperson Marc Lescoutre says temporary funding granted to address a “significant backlog” at the bureau ends on March 31, and the bureau is transitioning back to “steady state operations in line with its permanent funding levels.”

Gregory Harlow, president of the Association of Justice Counsel, says the cuts are taking place as the demand for service is rising and warns of an increase in wait times.

NDP member of Parliament Gord Johns said in February that the bureau has an 89 per cent success rate.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 13, 2026.

Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press