Medals Returned

04 June 2009Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D.
Governor General of CanadaRideau Hall1 Sussex DriveOttawa, OntarioK1A 0A1RENUNCIATION OF MILITARY MEDALS

My name is Robin Brentnall, a retired Sergeant of the Canadian Forces and a disabled Veteran. I am also the author of a book called A Soldiers Mask (Trafford Publishing, Victoria), a career autobiography of my life in the Canadian Forces.

I am disappointed and disheartened by the lack of support our soldiers and veterans have received when dealing with the financial and fundamental aspects of life after service. To be forced to take the action of returning my medals in order for Canadians and the Canadian Government to understand the plight of soldiers, veterans, and RCMP members, gives me grief. However, I believe it shows you and everyone who shares my concerns, that soldiers do not stop fighting, EVER. I may not be able to fight for Canada anymore, but I will never stop fighting for our soldiers, veterans, RCMP, and the wonderful citizens of this great nation.

My renunciation is based on the following actions and inactions of our Government:

- Inaction on the SISIP Claw Back, which reduces an injured veterans ability to live in
relative comfort, forcing most to work at low paying jobs to make ends meet.
Unfortunately, I cannot work and this has caused me to lose $1800 per month from my
Disability Insurance under SISIP (Manulife), funds that are clawed back due to my DVA,
CPP, and my military pension.

- Inaction on the CPP Claw Back, reducing a veteran's military pension once they start to
receive CPP. Members of Parliament do not suffer this indignity and their pension is not reduced. This has caused me to lose $1000 per month, funds that are clawed back due to my military pension.

- The Minister of National Defence, Peter MacKay, voted against fixing the CPP
Clay Back, Bill C-201.

- The Minister of Veterans Affairs, Greg Thompson, voted against fixing the CPP
Claw Back, Bill C-201.

- The Canadian Forces, on 01 April 2006, ordered it's Doctors (both military and civilian) not to provide any letter, opinion, or support to the soldier when dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs, virtually making if nearly impossible for a soldier to get compensation for an injury. Doctors were, however, still required to complete all of the paperwork for SISIP and CPP applications. DVA Pensions could be dealt with in-house but the other two dealt with civilian insurance companies and other government departments who refused to allow only a medical file as a medical opinion. Both in turn would be clawed back and changes to the Pension Act would be the only way the government would lose any funds to veterans, changes they were not planning to support.

- The Department of Veterans Affairs has become a quagmire of red tape, causing veterans and soldiers more grief than necessary. Many just walk away without fighting, more are too ill and injured to fight. I have been fighting DVA for nearly three years and only recently was approved for my injuries, even though I still have not received any compensation. CPP has determined that I qualify as 100% disabled. This was due to my doctor being able to support and give written opinion as to my limitations, something that she was not allowed to do for DVA.

If at any time I feel the Government of Canada is once again supporting our soldiers, veterans, and RCMP, I would feel proud to wear my medals once more. I would appreciate it if you would keep my medals in a safe place and allow them to be returned to me upon my request.

I worked hard to earn my medals. My Wife and Daughter are very upset that I have been forced to make this protest and send my medals back but support me in my actions. I know that my example will be understood by many others one day.

Yours in service,



Robin Brentnall, CD