Veteran who says privacy was violated dropped from review board amid shakeup

OTTAWA – An outspoken member of a veterans appeal board, who said his privacy was violated and that the federal agency treats ex-soldiers with disrespect, won’t be reappointed.

Harold Leduc and two other members of the troubled agency have been shown the door and in their places, the Harper government has appointed a nurse with extensive experience in addiction treatment and former military officers.

The changes, which normally would garner little public attention, were announced Sunday, one day ahead of Leduc’s appearance before the House of Commons veterans affairs committee.

The Parliamentary body is investigating the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, an independent body where ex-soldiers can challenge benefits decisions by the department.

Leduc’s long-anticipated testimony is expected to give the Opposition plenty of ammunition, particularly the NDP, which has introduced a private members bill to scrap the board.

Federal officials, speaking on background, refused to identify the other two board members who were dropped, but the names William Watson and Ellen Riley do not appear on the latest order in council lists.