2021-22 Supplementary Estimates (A) – Members Injured on Duty Grant
Date: May 12, 2021
Classification: Unclassified
Fully releasable (ATIP)? Yes
Branch/Agency: RCMP
Proposed Response:
- The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is seeking an increase of $230.3M in spending authority to support the Grant to Compensate Members Injured in the Performance of their Duties (the Grant) in the 2021-22 Supplementary Estimates (A).
- Members of the RCMP and their families are provided financial security in the event of injuries occurring to members as a consequence of their duties through the Grant. The Grant is administered by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) on behalf of the RCMP.
- RCMP members play a critical role in keeping our communities safe from a range of threats, putting their lives in danger each day to protect us. It is critical that we take care of these members when they become injured in the line of duty.
Financial Implications:
- The Supplementary Estimates (A) funding will be used to augment funding of $176.9M provided through the RCMP’s Main Estimates.
- Access to this incremental funding for 2021-22 is required to allow disability pension payments to members and their survivors to continue during the fiscal year.
- The RCMP continues to collaborate with VAC to identify its total 2021-22 funding requirements through subsequent Supplementary Estimates processes.
If pressed:
- The RCMP closely monitors growth trends in disability pension claims and projected forecasts, as well as current expenditures associated with the Grant to help ensure a financially sustainable system for both injured members and the RCMP.
Background:
Section 32 of the RCMP Superannuation Act provides that members injured while on duty resulting in disability or death are entitled to Pension Act benefits. The RCMP’s Members Injured on Duty Grant (the Grant) was put in place in July 1959 and provides members of the RCMP and their families with financial security in the event of disabilities or death occurring as a consequence of their duties. The Grant is aligned with the RCMP Strategic Outcome “Incomes are secured for RCMP members and their survivors affected by disability or death”.
In 2002, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) assumed full responsibility for the adjudication, calculation of benefits, and provision of disability pensions to all eligible RCMP clients. As a system that provides long-term disability pensions to members and survivors, it is important that VAC deliver fair and impartial decisions, built on a foundation of evidence, law and policy. The RCMP transfers funds to VAC for the cost of Disability Pensions and Special Awards by way of an Interdepartmental Settlement. The relationship between VAC and the RCMP is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), last revised and signed in 2018.
The Grant is quasi-statutory in nature (payments are non-discretionary, exceptional in size, and are variable in expenditure profile). Projected financial requirements are prepared in consultation with the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) and VAC. The payments to eligible recipients have grown significantly over time due to clearance of known backlogs, increased awareness of benefits and de-stigmatization of mental health disabilities. As of March 30, 2020, there were 16,744 RCMP disability clients of which 15,466 were retired or still serving members, and 1,278 were survivor clients. Additional funding has been sought annually, based on cash flow estimates, through the Supplementary Estimates process or through off-cycle funding requests to ensure sufficient funding is available to support ongoing payments to Grant recipients.
Contacts:
Prepared by: Candi Ager, Senior Advisor, Special Projects, National Compensation Services, 343-572-3081
Approved by: Gail Johnson, Chief Human Resources Officer, RCMP, 613-843-6199
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