Ombudsman urges government to resolve home equity disputes for Canadian soldiers

OTTAWA – The Canadian Forces ombudsman says the Harper government has an opportunity right now to help military families who’ve suffered huge home equity losses.

Pierre Daigle testified today before a House of Commons committee that’s studying legislation to overhaul the military justice system.

Hundreds of members have been denied reimbursement for losses they’ve taken after selling their homes because of forced transfers.

Daigle says the problem could be solved by giving the country’s top military commander the full power to make one-time payments in grievance cases.

The legislation being studied by the committee has been before Parliament several times over the last six years without bring passed.

Daigle says a previous version of the bill would have solved the home equity problem, but not the latest proposed legislation — something which can be amended.