Veterans' Bill of Rights

[5] In December 2005, Conservative leader Stephen Harper claimed, "We continue to receive complaints that the department is not service-oriented... that is, the bureaucracy treats people as a bureaucracy and a number and that's obviously why we're making the bill of rights, the ombudsman and the structural changes we're talking about to try to shift that focus.

Parliamentary secretary Betty Hinton assisted the introduction of the bill of rights,[7] as did veterans' groups.

[3][8] This discussion took place at around the same time as Harper was about to observe an anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge in World War I.

Veterans have a right to receive fair and equal treatment, irrespective of rank, position, or status.

Veterans have a right to receive referral and representational assistance in presenting their claims for benefits and services in the official language of their choice.