Commission to consider military death benefit issue

Presumably the money is meant to help the survivors. This is 2010. Spouses can take care of themselves, so I think the money should only go to soldiers with dependent children (including ones in uni).

Or, treat it like life insuracne, and as the article says used to be the case, let the soldier designate any beneficiary they wish.

All military personel should be eligible for this without question. In the case of single members, they should only be required to 'name a beneficiary' whilst married members spouses and children automatically receive the benefits.

When the breadwinner for the family is blown to bits its going to take a while to completely change you're life to cope with them not being there.

This is a no-brainer. Give the families of our fallen a load of cash.

The average military family has to endure hardships that no other government worker or their families go through.

Besides the danger that the CF guys are exposed to in combat and in training, their families are usually housed in isolated communities in basic accomodation, spouses have restricted employment opportunities and the kids change schools every 2-3 years.

No life like it eh?

agreed.

Well that seems to be the reasoning of the govt in denying the benefit to single soldiers. And, married with no children, the soldier is probably not the only breadwinner either. In fact probably even with children, most spouses probably work.

So either make it for dependent children only, or let soldiers choose any beneficiary they want. Really the latter seems like a no brainer for somebody that gave their life for their country. If we can't afford that, we can't afford to send them in harm's way in the first place.

It don't matter if the wife works, no kids etc andyt.. single men do the same job as married and their lives are every bit as important. The benefit should be given to all military.

Maybe they could "pare down" the ridiculous amount we are paying senators, so they can then afford to pay the benefit to the survivors of ALL Canadian military personnel, killed while on duty.

I think its just fine the way it is, they only place that money would go if the soldier had no depandants is the families pockets. $250,000 could put the wife back in school so she can make a decent wage, if that money went to the parents all it would be sunk into is the morgage.

Personally I think it would be better if it was awarded on a case by case basis. Give a good enough reason why you want the money and you get it, going to school would be a good reason, buying a new RV wouldnt be. This way if a single soldier wanted to put his sibling through school (sorry I cant think of anything else that would be reasonable to spend that much money on) they could.

$250,000 to support your family or spouse. No family or spouse no money. Seems simple to me. I don't see any soldiers complaining about it the way it is, and we all know they way it is before we go over. This $250,000 is also a stop gap measure in case of no life insurance the family is not high and dry, plus moving out of a PMQ and buying a house with the primary breadwinner (as most military members are)dead is quite the hassle. After all military members can't get plain life insurance policies that cover you in the event of death in a war zone/duty related. If a single guy is really that concerned he can get the SISIP life insurance policy a leave the monies to his parents/gf/whoever.

I disagree. A dead Canadian soldier is no more worthy if he/she is married or not.

It's easy to achieve. Nominated next-of-kin gets the cash. Before I got married my sister was moninated NOK.

Most soldiers have a family. Married or not.

And $250K isn't a huge amount of cash these days. Not in Southern Ontario. That'll just about get you a crappy townhouse where I live.

I have a feeling if the HRC finds this is discrimination that is exactly what will happen.

Postings are getting longer and longer, I do not know many people that are moved every three years. To serve is a choice, this is simple greed, when I was deployed single I told my mom I got insurance out in case something happened. She was mortified, she did not want any money from my death. Spouses and children need the money to start thier loves over. Mommy and Daddy to not need to profit from their son's or daughter's death.