Gallant Confirms Payment for Agent Orange Victims

September 19, 2007

Cheryl Gallant, M.P. for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke is pleased to confirm Canada’s New Government has announced a one-time, tax free ex-gratia payment of $20,000.00 related to the testing of unregistered U.S. military herbicides, including Agent Orange, at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Gagetown. “Since being elected I have been contacted by several veterans with ailments associated with exposure to Agent Orange. This announcement demonstrates the Government’s continued dedication to our brave men and women in uniform,” confirmed Gallant.

For three days in June 1966 and for four days in June 1967, Agent Orange and other unregistered herbicides were tested at CFB Gagetown in cooperation with the U.S. military to evaluate their effectiveness. “The ex-gratia payments acknowledge that uncertainty lingers over the Agent Orange testing and that the passage of time has taken away the opportunity for those affected to demonstrate why they believe they suffered harm. In that way, this package is about fairness, compassion and doing the right thing”, explained Gallant.

To be eligible for the payment, individuals must meet the following conditions: Between June 1, 1966, and February 6, 2006, the individual must have been in the process of being diagnosed with a medical condition deemed to be related to exposure to Agent Orange; the individual must be diagnosed with the medical condition no later than April 1, 2009 and at any time from June to September of either 1966 or 1967 the individual, or in the case of an individual diagnosed with spina bifida, a biological parent of the individual, must have worked, lived, been posted to or trained at CFB Gagetown or have resided in a community which lay within five kilometres of the perimeter of CFB Gagetown.

Applications for payment can be obtained from the Veterans Affairs Canada website or by calling 1-888-854-1803. “The Agent Orange payment plan exemplifies our New Government’s commitment to do what is right for Canadians. I invite any constituents, who have questions on the program or believe they may qualify for payment, to contact my office if they require assistance,” stated Gallant.