Head of military wounded support unit steps down amid DND overhaul

Details
Category: Canada News
Published Tuesday, February 23, 2016
CTV News

OTTAWA - The director of casualty support management for the military has stepped down amid an overhaul of the system that looks after ill and injured soldiers.

See Full Article

The Canadian Press has obtained a copy of the internal farewell address of Col. Gerry Blais, who tells Joint Personnel Support Units (JPSU) across the country that he has decided to leave, effective immediately.

He says there is a great deal of change ahead and he doesn't feel he's prepared to lead the unit in its new method of operation.

Last month, The Canadian Press reported that National Defence had embarked on an overhaul of the oft-maligned JPSU system following an internal review that found a myriad of problems with the system, which is supposed to help physically and mentally wounded soldiers heal and return to their units -- or prepare for medical release.

In his message, Blais says he believes the system had accomplished "great things and established a safe place for those who needed it most."

But many have complained that the support units and their subordinate Integrated Personnel Support Centres are chronically short of staff and that soldiers who are transferred into the system feel isolated from the support network of their home combat units.



Advertisements

Latest Canada & World News

  • Brother: Last victim ID'd in Florida condo building collapse

    World News CTV News
    FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. -- The final victim of the condo building collapse in Florida has been identified, a relative said Monday, more than a month after the middle of the night catastrophe that ultimately claimed 98 lives. Source

  • Canada's building codes need more tornado-specific protections: engineering experts

    Canada News CTV News
    TORONTO -- In the wake of a devastating tornado that displaced more than 100 residents in southern Ontario earlier this month, engineering experts are calling for Canada’s building codes to be updated to include more protections against the natural disasters. Source

  • StatCan data shows youth unemployment rates have risen during the COVID-19 pandemic

    Canada News CTV News
    HALIFAX -- New data from Statistics Canada shows that while youth unemployment has risen during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding full-time work has been increasingly precarious since the 1980s. The federal agency says both male and female workers between 15 and 30 were less likely to have a full-time job in 2019 compared with 1989, a period marked by a rise in part-time employment for the age group. Source

  • Spate of shootings across Seattle kill four

    World News CTV News
    SEATTLE -- Authorities in Seattle are investigating the fatal shooting of a man in the Lake City neighborhood on Sunday -- the fourth gun homicide in the city in 24 hours. Seattle police spokesperson Valerie Carson said witnesses saw the victim returning to his apartment when a vehicle pulled up and multiple people opened fire. Source

  • Lustre of hosting the Olympics endures for some cities, despite challenges

    World News CBC News
    Host cities spend years preparing for the Olympics — along with billions of dollars and a lot of political capital en route to the finish line. That's the case in Tokyo, where the 2020 Olympic Games are now underway — a year late amid a pandemic and at higher cost than forecast, with many questioning the decision to hold them under the circumstances. Source

  • Pope to UN forum: Hunger is 'crime' violating basic rights

    World News CTV News
    ROME -- Pope Francis on Monday decried as criminal the existence of hunger in a world which can produce enough food for all, building on a warning from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that climate change and conflict are a consequence and driver of poverty and income inequality. Source

  • New York City will require its workers to get vaccinated or be tested weekly for COVID-19

    World News CBC News
    New York City will require all of its municipal workers — including teachers and police officers — to get coronavirus vaccines by mid-September or face weekly COVID-19 testing, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday. The rule is expected to affect about 340,000 city employees, making the city one of the largest employers in the U.S. Source

  • N.L. Roman Catholic archdiocese selling land to pay survivors of Mount Cashel abuse

    Canada News CTV News
    ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- The Roman Catholic archdiocese in Newfoundland and Labrador's capital city is selling properties to pay survivors of abuse at the former Mount Cashel orphanage. Archbishop of St. John's Peter Hundt said in a news release Sunday several parcels of vacant land in St. Source

  • Fewer active fires in B.C., but threat still high in bone-dry southern regions

    Canada News CBC News
    Above average temperatures for many parts of British Columbia aren't expected to ease soon — and Environment Canada says there is no hint of showers until at least the weekend for some southern regions hit hard by wildfires. Source

  • Pink offers to pay bikini bottoms fine for Norwegian beach handball team

    World News CBC News
    U.S. pop singer Pink has offered to pay a fine given to the Norwegian female beach handball team for wearing shorts instead of the required bikini bottoms. On social media Saturday, Pink said she was "very proud" of the team for protesting the rule that prevented them from wearing shorts like their male counterparts. Source