Defence minister sidesteps watchdog's call to compensate military's eyes and ears in Afghanistan

Defence Minister Bill Blair is dismissing calls from his department's watchdog to offer immediate compensation, and physical and psychological care, to a group of former combat advisers denied health benefits, despite playing a pivotal role in Canada's Afghanistan military mission, CBC News has learned.

Robyn Hynes, interim ombud for the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), made the recommendations following an investigation her office conducted into the treatment of 81 Afghan Canadians, who were recruited by DND to serve as language and cultural advisers (LCAs) during the conflict. 

The advisers were the eyes and ears of Canada's military, wore the same uniform as CAF members and took the same risks. But when they returned home to Canada, the LCAs were denied benefits and health coverage for the trauma they endured because they were civilians hired as federal public servants on term contracts, according to the report. 

"The federal government sent them overseas to Afghanistan," Hynes told CBC News. "[They] put them in harm's way, and they are responsible for ensuring that they have access to the benefits and services that they need."

But in a Jan. 21 letter responding to Hynes's report, Blair defended the system the LCAs are already using to access care and didn't offer anything more.

"I am confident that the existing regime.… Aligns with the spirit of your recommendations," Blair wrote. 

Hynes had identified the current program as insufficient to meet the needs of LCAs.

Her review, released Wednesday, found that former advisers continue to suffer from their deployment experiences, where they put their lives on the line with little training and awareness of the dangers they would face.

Hynes had urged Blair to immediately offer independent assessments of the former advisers to determine and fund their long-term care needs, along with immediate and reasonable financial compensation.

"We are disappointed that we haven't seen some additional action on behalf of the federal government," Hynes said. 

Ombud concerned for the well-being of former advisers

The LCAs provided translation services and crucial advice on Afghan culture and conditions on the ground. 

They also had high-level security clearances and partnered with top military commanders outside the safety of the wire to warn of impending attacks, eavesdrop on insurgent communications and gather intelligence on the Taliban. 

The advisers were employed in Kandahar from 2006 until the conclusion of combat operations in 2011, and supported CAF training and mentoring in Kabul until 2014. 

Many of the LCAs developed mental health issues, including signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), months and years after coming home. Given the secret nature of their deployment, Hynes found they didn't know what they could tell their doctors or who they could ask for assistance. 

The advisers had trouble returning to their regular jobs in Canada. Some lost their businesses, homes and contact with their families.

"I'm concerned for the well-being of a lot of the LCAs," Hynes told CBC News. "Many of them have found themselves in financial ruin. They've seen their relationships fall apart."

CBC News has documented a number of their cases since 2018. The ombud's review is based on the experiences of 19 former LCAs, who approached her office. 

DND's answer to those complaints has been to refer advisers to the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), which is where injured federal employees are sent, through the Government Employees Compensation Act.

But many of the advisers' claims were rejected by the WSIB. Some LCAs applied and abandoned their cases due to bureaucratic challenges and lengthy appeal processes, Hynes found.

Despite the ombud's concerns, Blair said the existing system is working for the former LCAs, citing recent favourable decisions.

"The department remains committed to supporting the LCAs," Blair wrote in his Jan. 21 letter to the ombud. 

In response, the ombud's office said remaining WSIB claims are inconsistent and it stands by its recommendations. 

While DND followed strict deployment limits for CAF members barring some exceptions, Hynes also found the department didn't have a similar policy for the LCAs or other DND civilians. 

Additionally, the LCAs reported that their expectations were that they would remain on base, primarily in a classroom or office setting. But within days of their arrival in Afghanistan, Hynes found they worked mostly outside of the relative safety of the Kandahar Airfield.

Blair said DND has made changes to ensure greater limits to the frequency and duration of civilian employment on overseas operations. Based on the experience of the LCAs, it's also taken measures to ensure guidance on pre- and post-deployment care.

Were it not for the advisers, Conservative defence critic James Bezan said more Canadian troops may have been killed fighting against the Taliban. In a social media post, Bezan said the federal government took too long to respond to the ombud's report and criticized Blair's response.

"Instead of supporting [LCAs], Bill Blair ignored the advice of the Office of the Defence Ombuds and failed to recognize that they have a moral obligation to support those who bravely served Canada," Bezan wrote.

"A Conservative government will bring home leadership and support those who serve."