New Hazard Allowance for Canadian Armed Forces Members Deployed on COVID-19 Frontlines
The Exceptional Hazard Allowance has been amended to compensate Canadian Armed Forces members who are deployed in COVID-19 risk environments.
Eligible Canadian Armed Forces members deployed on Operation LASER, and the domestic portion of Operation GLOBE, who were/are at risk of exposure to COVID-19 due to their duties, will receive the allowance. The $78 per day allowance is retroactive to when they commenced their duties, and will be in effect until September 30, 2020.
Hundreds of Canadian Armed Forces members are currently deployed to long-term care facilities in Ontario and Quebec, supporting Canadians impacted by COVID-19. Canadian Armed Forces members, face the physical hardship of spending all of their shifts wearing the full complement of Personal Protective Equipment for up to 12 hours a day and without appreciable breaks in service. Moreover, our women and men in the military have served in these facilities for months, while being away from their families during a highly challenging time.
Quotes
“Our brave women and men in uniform are always ready to help Canadians. From the earliest days of the pandemic, our troops stepped up, as they always do, despite the risk to their own health and safety. This Exceptional Hazard Allowance is one way we can recognize the significant efforts and risks faced by Canadian Armed Forces members, who have worked hard to keep our family members and loved ones safe during this challenging time.”
Defence Minister, Harjit S. Sajjan
“The Exceptional Hazard Allowance recognizes the risk assumed by those Canadian Armed Forces members deployed to high-risk COVID-19 environments. To all those CAF members who deployed to serve Canadians, you have made us very proud of your dedication and professionalism.”
General Jonathan Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff
Quick facts
· In January 2020, the Chief of the Defence Staff ordered Operation GLOBE, a blended domestic and expeditionary operation supporting the repatriation of Canadians from overseas and providing quarantine capability in Trenton.
· Operation LASER, a domestic operation providing Canadian Armed Forces assistance to provinces was ordered in March, and by April, provinces began requesting military assistance for COVID-related situations.
· Since the start of Operation LASER, CAF personnel have supported civilian authorities within 47 long-term care facilities in Quebec and within seven in Ontario. See Operation LASER webpage for full details.
· It is expected that approximately 4,500 CAF members will be eligible to receive this allowance.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love